“Africa? Why do you want to move to Africa?” That question was posed often in 2001, as we prepared to leave for Ghana, upon selling the business that my wife and I had operated in Canada for 21 years. The question was asked much less of my wife because she had come from Ghana 26 years earlier, and so, folks knew that she was simply returning home. For me, it was a little different.

Busua Beach - Boxing Day - Ghana

I am not from Ghana – my connection began in 1971 with a 2 year teaching contract in a village in the Western Region. Ironically, it was I who wanted to move several years before my wife finally came to the same idea. Now, nine years later, and although we have since separated as husband and wife, I am still very happy with that decision to move. Ghana is home to me, and I have never had a moment’s regret.

In 2001, my only concern before making the move was of leaving my children behind – all adults by then, and all in Canada. I knew that I would miss not seeing them as often as before. However, as it turned out, each of them followed on their own, and all ended up in Africa – the two oldest in Ghana, and the youngest currently in Zanzibar. It seems that they, too, saw the potential benefits of life in Africa, Ghana, in particular.

A growing number of Ghanaians in the Diaspora see Ghana with the same promise and perspective as my children. Many of them have been affected by the recent financial downturn in the western countries where they live, and they see the economic opportunities that are opening up in Ghana. These people are contemplating a return, or a coming home, to Ghana, and from time to time I am asked, if I have any advice for those who are considering that possibility.

I am happy to respond because there is so much potential in that part of West Africa. There is also a restless energy and pent-up vitality, especially amongst so many young Ghanaians, much of which is now being unleashed in very positive ways. The improvements in communication technology and infrastructure have enabled possibilities that did not exist only a few years ago. Mobile phones are now commonplace throughout the country, and access to the internet has followed, opening up international markets to businesses even in rural locations, and creating new jobs and commercial opportunities in the fast growing IT sector.

But potential alone does not guarantee success, and there are restraints that can be frustrating. Those of my generation still hold much of the political and economic control in Ghana, and they are the reason behind many of the restraints – corruption and cronyism being perhaps the worst examples, followed by a willingness to accept hand offs, hand outs, and second best.

Thankfully, much of the old, colonial bureaucratic approach within government departments and agencies has given way to a more service-oriented approach of late. Many legal requirements and taxation systems are not unlike those found in western countries where Ghanaians have been living. This has made dealing with the government much easier than in the past. But there are other challenges to face.

Financial institutions, especially those that have a colonial past, have not kept pace with the changes in the country, and as a result, it is difficult, and often impossible, to obtain loans for economically viable enterprises. This can and does result in frustrations, and is something to keep in mind for anyone who is deciding to settle in Ghana.

There is hope, though. The younger generation is moving ahead, in spite of the restraints they may face in the country. Increasingly, I meet young artists and entrepreneurs who are pursuing exciting projects and businesses. They recognize and value their “Africanism,” and they are unwilling to settle for anything but the best. This is most refreshing for someone like me, who has come from North America where everyone, young and old, seem so trapped by a homogenized American consumer culture.

One thing is therefore of great importance when deciding to move—do it for love, not for money. Do it for the love of life and lifestyle, and the money will follow. There is lots of money in this country, and if that is important to you, you can find it. So far, my hotel has not made much profit, but it has become a magnet for people who enjoy life. That is why I moved to Ghana. I came for the life that I could live, and I wouldn’t change any of it. I have had life enhancing experiences that would not have been possible had I remained in Canada.

There is of course still a large population of Ghanaians located outside of Ghana—those who emigrated, and those who were born of parents who emigrated. In the past, I have encouraged those I met to “Come home. We need you here, with your experience and knowledge and ideas.” But after watching some of my friends going through emotional and financial turmoil, when they made the attempt and failed, it became apparent to me that successful emigration to any part of the world depends on many factors and should be approached with eyes wide open.

In Ghana, family looms as one of the most important factors for settlers or returnees. There are two sides to that particular coin – the nuclear family that one may be leaving behind when one moves here; and the extended family that one may be joining on arrival.

For some returnees, one very difficult factor may be the different set of expectations encountered from extended family members. These can often be far beyond what new arrivals are financially or emotionally able or willing to meet, and the result can lead to conflicts and family rifts.

In addition, many who left Ghana for western countries in the past, may now have children who grew up and were educated outside of Africa, and who may never have visited the continent. Not all of them will have the same warm feelings for Ghana, and Africa, as my children. Some of these young people may feel little connection to the homeland of their parents. Their jobs and friends may be in other countries, and they may have no interest in moving to Ghana, which leaves parents (who are often, by this time, grandparents) living an ocean apart from members of their nuclear family.

This may pose no real problem for some, who may have been rocked by the economic wake-up call two years ago in the west, and worry now that the big fall is yet to come. For these people, they know where they want to be, if and when the western economical/political façade crumbles. I want to be in a village in Ghana, where I can fend for myself and be warm in the winter!

It is an exciting time at home in Africa. Sometimes, I joke with my children and say that as long as I can chop fufu (Yes, obruni didi fufu paa) and have a cold Star beer each day, I am a happy man! That is not too far from the whole truth. Life is very good, and I am indeed blessed.

And if you are reading this, and planning to move home to Ghana, may you also be as blessed.

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