Diasporans, descendants of Africa dispersed across distant lands, are undertaking a transformative journey of repatriation, reconnecting with their roots and rediscovering the continent their forebears once called home.

Since 2019, after Ghana successfully hosted "The Year of Return" to encourage people of African descent across the world, particularly those in the diaspora, to visit Ghana and connect with their African roots, many have made what has now become the best decision of their life to relocate.

In this article, we look at the family of Daniel who have moved from the UK and plan never to return (with regards to permanent residency) but rather, make a home for themselves here in Ghana.

Daniel moved down to Ghana about three years ago and has since never regretted his decision. Engaging Ghanaian YouTuber, Capt Hayford, Daniel recounted the hardship he and his family encountered while in London just because of the colour of their skin.

When push came to shove, Daniel moved to Ghana and has since faired relatively well as he began working on a 52 acres land he acquired in "nowhere".

According to Daniel, he had no one to look up to before settling down but has been able to do so much for himself and his entire family he hopes would join him soon.

"When I was coming, I was looking for families that have moved to Ghana and it was hard enough at that time. We are all here. We are not suffering," he said.

To the many other diasporans out there yearning for belonging, he encouraged them to take the bold decision as it would be better "suffering here than the UK."

"We came, we paved the way and now they are here. Not like it's going to be easy but make the move. I'd rather suffer here than the UK. I mean it is cold. Let us suffer in the heat," he said.

As Daniel relocated to Ghana some three years ago, he hoped to be joined by some of his family members. In May 2023, he was joined by his two daughters, son-in-law and his two grand children.

His eldest daughter, Jada and her husband, Kay, after pondering over moving down to Ghana in November 2022, finally took the step last month.

In their interactions, the couple noted that they felt some sort of relief immediately landed into the country.

Kay described feeling the air of Africa as amazing, whereas Jada said it was "a sigh of relief."

"I was trying to smell the air. Feel the heat and I can't describe the feeling. Pure excitement," she added.

The duo who met on Tinder had a lot in common over what pushed them to make the life-changing decision.

For Jada, it was the cost of living coupled with issues of racism against herself and her children.

"Life in the UK, it was getting on top of us. The cost of living crisis and that was getting to us. There was lot of pressure being a 22 year old," she said.

On the offense of being black, Jada said they were "not seen at equals".

The photographer and videographer became teary-eyed as she recounted the harsh experience her son had to encounter - a situation of isolation.

"My son went to school for reception for about a term and I didn't want to send him to a public school but I sent him and we have conversations about how your day at school. He told me I don't have friends. He said the little boys in my school don't want to be my friend because I am not white," she recounted.

On his part, Kay, who had always thought about heading down to some part of Africa, as young as 14, but had no idea about the route he'd have to take shared some experiences of racism.

"I was playing a school football match and I'm the only black person on the pitch and there is a crowd of people on the sideline to get out of here and go back to where I come from. Telling me I'm dirty," he agonizingly recalled.

According to him, he felt "powerless as a child".

But now, the family have tasted inclusion and are elated to share their wonderful experiences here in Ghana.

Jada noted that she can execute her tasks as a mother happily as she would not be struggling to keep up with the bills, counsel tax among others as in the UK.

"Here, they have the space to run around and be free. In the UK, our house was so small. Playing football in the house and all those things, you can imagine how that goes," she added.

Jay of Nigerian descent noted that Ghana was the best place to come instead of his home of origin due to the current insecurity, however, was optimistic of a better Nigeria in the not so distant future.

"I have family there. I have access to land and all that. But within me, I felt Ghana was the better place to come. In Nigeria, it is a bit of different situation at the moment. But I know in the future, they will have the same kind of peace and tranquility that there is in Ghana," he shared.

Appreciating the peaceful ambience in Ghana and the great potential of Africa, he entreated all to return home, Africa, as "you are going to be seen for who you are".

Source: The Independent Ghana