Konnected Minds Podcast: “Ghana Isn't Cheap, Easy, or Waiting for You – Come Prepared or Go Back Home”

Host: Derrick Abaitey
Guest: Ivy Prosper
Date: January 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the realities of relocating to Ghana—dispelling myths around affordability and opportunity, and focusing on the cultural expectations, opportunities, and pitfalls for returnees and diaspora. Host Derrick Abaitey is joined by Ivy Prosper, a seasoned media professional who has experienced the journey firsthand. Together, they discuss the motivations for returning, challenges in adjusting, and the practical wisdom required to make relocation a genuine success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Emotional Pull and Harsh Realities of Returning

• Many people from the diaspora are driven by the emotional need to “return home” and reconnect with cultural roots, especially as an escape from systemic racism abroad.
• Ivy and Derrick stress that moving to Ghana is not the utopian solution many believe it to be:

  “People also have this misconception that Africa will be easy, that Africa will be cheap. And then they get the wake up call that Ghana's not as cheap as people think it is. Ghana is quite expensive.” – Ivy (00:55)

2. Diaspora vs. Local Dynamics and Economic Impact

• Some Ghanaians believe the diaspora’s return has led to increased rent and living costs, causing friction.
• Ivy provides examples:

  “One example is a hair salon. Braiding was so inexpensive. Now in some places it's gone up a bit. And some Ghanaians blame the diaspora.” – Ivy (00:38)

3. The Reality Check: Why Many Returnees Go Back Again

• Derrick observes a trend: since 2019, many who moved to Ghana have left again.

  “But very quickly people are moving back to where they came from. Is it because we sold them a dream or they were not prepared for the reality of moving back?” – Derrick (01:12)

4. Ivy’s Personal Journey: From Canada to Ghana

• Ivy shares her story of moving to Ghana, initially for a temporary stay, and later returning to build a life and career in media.
• Love played a partial role, but her decision was fueled by belief in Ghana’s potential:

  “If it was the only reason, I would have gone back. Because there are some people who move here for relationships and then when the relationship doesn't work, they actually go back because that was the foundation of why they came.” – Ivy (04:02)

5. Building Community and Embracing Independence

• Ivy emphasizes the importance of independence and proactively building networks, even as a woman:

  “If I want to go somewhere, I just go. I don't wait and say, oh, oh, she's not coming with me. Then I. Then I'm not going. I'm like, if I want to go, I'm going regardless if somebody's coming with me or not.” – Ivy (05:18)

6. Frequency of Visits & Planting the Seed for Return

• Ivy did not visit Ghana often growing up; her pivotal visit at age 25 planted an unconscious seed to return:

  “I really believe that that trip when I was 25 planted a seed in me that I didn't realize at the time because I had a really great time.” – Ivy (06:48) “Ghana was not my dream. New York was a dream. I had a dream of going to New York, being a successful fashion model or design. That was a dream, not Ghana.” – Ivy (07:27)

7. Recognizing Opportunity and Legacy Building

• Ivy discusses how Ghana is at a stage where building a legacy is possible—much like the US was 100 years ago:

  “This is a place that you can build a legacy. You may not see it to fruition, but if you are a person who's a legacy thinker, you can build something...” – Ivy (08:11–08:31)

• Many opportunities exist in simple, unsaturated markets (e.g., dried fruit, waste beads), creating easier entrepreneurial pathways—if you’re prepared for challenges.

  “You can build business here or…you can start a farm. I know somebody who moved here and started a farm and is doing well with it.” – Ivy (10:41)

8. Why Diaspora Spot Opportunities Others Miss

• Derrick asks if locals just don’t see the opportunities; Ivy responds that newcomers always spot overlooked prospects, reiterating the value of fresh perspectives.

  “Whenever you go into an environment that is a new environment, you see things that the people there don't see.” – Ivy (11:13)

9. Ghana’s Advantage: The Informality of Doing Business

• A significant competitive advantage in Ghana is the lack of bureaucratic red tape, making it easier to launch small ventures:

  “There's a lot of informalities here that make it easier for someone to just say, I'm just gonna start doing something…” – Ivy (12:25)

• Example: Starting a food business is far easier in Ghana than in tightly regulated Western cities.

10. Ivy’s Involvement in Year of Return & Beyond

• Ivy worked directly with the Ghana Tourism Authority, managing social media for the Year of Return and Beyond the Return Secretariats, gaining a unique perspective on the structured efforts to encourage diaspora engagement.

  “I was a social media manager... I worked directly for Ghana Tourism Authority.” – Ivy (13:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the myth of ‘cheap Ghana’:
  “Ghana is not as cheap as people think it is. Ghana is quite expensive.” – Ivy (00:55)

• On independence and forming connections:
  “For me, building a sense of community, making new friends wasn't something that I found to be scary or difficult...” – Ivy (05:12)

• On the entrepreneurial advantage:
  “You can start a business of dried fruits... It's all about branding, too. Come to Ghana, you can find mango... you can decide, I'm going to make a mango type drink...” – Ivy (09:38)

• Derrick summarizing the shifting expectation:
  “December time, a lot of people come into the country. For most people, that's the introduction into Ghana. And they see a different type of Ghana and after that, it's a whole different type of Ghana as well.” – Derrick (02:38)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:08 – The initial emotional drivers for moving back; realities vs. expectations.
• 01:08–02:27 – Introduction of guest Ivy Prosper and episode focus.
• 02:45–04:25 – Ivy discusses why she moved to Ghana and her candid thoughts on relationships as motivators.
• 05:18–07:26 – Independence, building community, and formation of the ‘return seed’.
• 07:44–10:57 – Ivy describes Ghana’s business potential and legacy opportunities.
• 11:13–12:50 – Why diaspora spot opportunities locals don’t, informality as an advantage.
• 13:13–13:40 – Ivy’s role in the Year of Return and Beyond initiatives.

Tone and Style

The episode balances candid realism with encouragement, using real-life stories and grounded advice. Both Derrick and Ivy speak from experience, employing a conversational and occasionally witty tone while remaining direct about the complexities and rewards of moving to Ghana.

Key Takeaways

• Don’t move to Ghana expecting an easy or cheap transition—be prepared for unexpected costs and new challenges.
• Coming to Ghana is an emotional journey for many, but success requires practical planning, resourcefulness, and resilience.
• The entrepreneurial landscape in Ghana is ripe, especially for those with fresh perspectives and a willingness to navigate informality.
• Returnees must take proactive steps to integrate—building community, networking, and adapting—to thrive.
• Large-scale efforts like the Year of Return have informed, but not always adequately prepared, the diaspora; more transparent communication may be required.