Moving to Ghana after the Year of Return: what makes people stay?

The welcome is only the beginning

The Year of Return encouraged people across the diaspora to imagine a future in Ghana. For some, that invitation became a decision to move. But arriving with hope and building a life that works are two different challenges.

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Opare discusses diasporans whose moves did not work out as they expected. Some had been drawn by the promise of return without fully understanding everyday life on the ground. The focus is what people can learn from those experiences—and how to prepare for a move they can sustain.

When expectations meet everyday life

A visit can build excitement about a country. Living there brings a different set of questions. How will you earn a living? What will your normal week look like? Who can help you understand an unfamiliar process or recognise when an offer needs a closer look?

Feeling connected to Ghana does not mean that every part of life there will already feel familiar. People arriving from North America, Britain or elsewhere bring habits and expectations shaped by the places they have lived. Learning how things work locally takes time, relationships and a willingness to listen.

Opare’s discussion centres on that gap between the idea of returning and the experience of settling. Understanding it before moving gives people a better starting point than discovering it after they have committed everything.

Prepare for ordinary life, not just the arrival

A useful way to approach the move is to test the plan against an ordinary month. Think through housing, transport, regular expenses and the support you would need when something goes wrong. What would make daily life manageable once the excitement of arrival has passed?

Income deserves the same attention. A plan needs to make sense beyond the first few weeks. If work or a business takes longer to develop than expected, how would you manage the gap? Exploring that question early can reveal where more preparation is needed.

Time spent learning from people already living in Ghana can also help. Ask about the difficulties as well as the attractions. Speak with people whose circumstances resemble your own, and make room for local knowledge rather than assuming that a familiar approach will work everywhere.

Moving is a decision; staying is a process

The episode moves beyond the question of why some people leave. Opare also discusses strategies to help diasporans move and remain in Ghana. The aim is to turn enthusiasm into a workable plan, with a clearer understanding of the country people want to call home.

A move that needs adjusting is an opportunity to reassess expectations, resources and support. The important question is what would make the next step more sustainable.

Watch the full conversation for Opare’s discussion of the experiences behind unsuccessful moves and the preparation that can help others build a lasting life in Ghana.