The novel ‘The African Sojourners: From Africa to America Aged 21 with Only 20 Dollars’ written by Kofi J. Roberts is a compelling, fictionalized story drawn from the author’s observations of African immigrant communities in the United States between 1960 and 2010.
Through the interconnected stories of characters like Joe Mankatah, Doku Amarfio (aka “Shoe”), and Ben Tettey, Roberts explores the aspirations, struggles, and cultural complexities of African immigrants chasing opportunities in America. The book published in November 2024, poses a compelling question of whether the sojourners were pushed out of Africa by necessity or pulled to the U.S. by ambition?
The answer unfolds through their triumphs and setbacks, set against the backdrop of a transformative era in American history. The narrative opens during the Vietnam War, a period when American industry faced labour shortages, creating opportunities for immigrants like Joe and his two fellow countrymen.
Arriving with little more than $20 and determination, the trio leveraged marketable skills to secure permanent U.S. residency, with marriage to American citizens easing their assimilation. Roberts vividly captures their journey, Joe’s quiet perseverance, Duke’s entrepreneurial hustle, and Ben’s introspective wrestle with identity, offering a window into the diverse experiences of African immigrants.
Yet, the book also acknowledges the less fortunate, because for every success story, many others end up on society’s margins, facing deportation or choosing to return to Africa, only to encounter corruption and stifled opportunities there.
This cycle of emigration and repatriation, as Roberts notes, continues to “ebb and flow,” reflecting the persistent pull of better prospects elsewhere. Roberts’ prose is direct yet evocative, blending realism with moments of hope. The book’s strength lies in its authentic portrayal of the African diaspora within the time period it was written to capture.
Born in Africa himself, in the West African country of Ghana, Roberts immigrated to the United States in the late 1960s. He pursued higher education in Boston, studying business, biology, and pharmacology, and later earned a doctorate of pharmacy from the University of Georgia. Currently residing in Georgia, he is married with three children.
As a scholar and speaker, Roberts draws on his experiences and observations within African communities to craft his narratives, focusing on themes of immigration, cultural identity, and economic dynamics. His first book ‘The Sargasso Bridge: America Speaks, Africa Answers,’ published in 2009 followed a similar thread, exploring trade and Africa’s potential role in America’s economic future.
The African Sojourners, available on Amazon in Kindle ($9.49) and paperback ($20.00), is a must-read for those interested in migration, cultural identity, and the enduring pursuit of the American Dream. It is recommended for readers of literary fiction, African diaspora studies, and immigrant narratives.
Written by Oral Ofori.
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He’s as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
