Segment: No Credit, All Cash, Half Truths - The Real Challenges Diaspora Face Living in Ghana.

Summary

Konnected Minds Podcast
Host: Derrick Abaitey
Episode Segment: No Credit, All Cash, Half Truths – The Real Challenges Diaspora Face Living in Ghana
Date: January 22, 2026

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Overview

In this thought-provoking segment, host Derrick Abaitey and a guest tackle the pressing real-life challenges that members of the diaspora face when living in Ghana. The discussion highlights the stark differences between financial systems, cultural norms around truth-telling and communication, and the challenges these present for individuals trying to adjust to life in Ghana after living abroad. With candid anecdotes and direct conversation, the hosts explore why living and thriving in Ghana can be unexpectedly difficult for returnees, especially when it comes to access to credit, honesty in daily interactions, and the cultural discomfort around saying “no”.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Frustration of All-Cash Transactions versus Access to Credit

• Cash-Only Economy:
  • Everything in Ghana requires upfront payment; there’s little to no use of credit for large purchases or services.
  • Example: “If you want to fix your house...[you] have to come up with, what, 20,000 cedis all up front.” (A, 00:23)
  • Contrast: In Western countries, large expenses like renovations or buying a home can be handled with loans, spreading costs over time.
• Credit in the West vs Ghana:
  • In the West, credit enables people to take out loans for houses, businesses, and more, with reasonable interest and less collateral.
  • In Ghana: To access credit, “they want collateral, and then they want you to pay 30% interest here. So almost nobody takes loans here because it’s too expensive.” (A, 01:10)
• Barriers to Entrepreneurship:
  • Abroad, good credit history makes it easier to get business loans and start ventures.
  • In Ghana, the process is cost-prohibitive and restrictive.
  • “Good luck” to anyone hoping for an easy loan. (A, 02:01)

2. Challenges with Honesty and Communication

• Cultural Half-Truths and Avoidance:
  • There’s a recurring theme of people answering “yes” to avoid discomfort, even if the answer is “no” or they don’t know.
  • “Ghanaians are not always honest...Ghanaians are the worst liars. That’s what she [an African American friend] said, and there’s a little bit of truth to that.” (A, 02:26)
• Anecdotes:
  • Brewed Coffee Example:
    • When asked if the hotel had brewed coffee, the waitress said “yes” but ultimately admitted she didn’t know what it was.
    • “Why would you say yes and you didn’t really know what it was?” (A, 04:02)
  • Shopping and Tailoring:
    • Shopkeepers or tailors will say they have what’s requested or can meet a deadline, even when they can’t.
    • “You’ll go to a tailor...‘Will you be able to finish this for me on Friday?’...‘Yes, I can finish.’ But they know they can’t.” (A, 06:19)
• Underlying Causes:
  • Fear of disappointing customers or getting in trouble.
  • Possible roots in the schooling/boarding system: “Maybe the headmaster gets you in trouble and because you don’t want to get in trouble, you may be a little bit deceitful with how you tell a story...” (A, 02:54)

3. The Cultural Discomfort with Saying “No”

• Indirect Communication Norms:
  • People avoid saying “no,” preferring to say “maybe,” “I’m coming,” or manage situations indirectly.
  • “I think we have not accepted the word no yet. We don’t know how to say no. Saying no to people is really difficult.” (B, 07:17)
• Resulting Frustration for Diasporans:
  • Difficulties knowing what to expect and planning accordingly.
  • “Some diaspora hate it so much. They’re like, I don’t want to be in an environment where I’m always trying to figure out what the truth is.” (A, 05:29)
• Ghanaian Adaptability vs. Diaspora Rigor:
  • Ghanaians may shrug off small deceptions (“Midi, I’ll eat it anyway”) while diasporans are more likely to insist on what they asked for.

4. Lateness and Time Management

• “I’m Coming” Culture:
  • Habitual lateness is culturally accepted and often downplayed.
  • “I can right now say, if I’m going and you ask me...I’ll say, ‘mayba, I’m coming.’” (B, 07:09)
• Expectation vs Reality:
  • “Yes, I’m on the way. But now you’re just now getting in the shower.” (A, 07:04)

5. Addressing the Issue: Learning to Say “No” and Being Honest

• Host’s Stand on Directness:
  • The host recounts situations where directness is appreciated and ultimately more effective.
  • “I had somebody who asked me to do something and I said no. And then it was like the person was trying to convince me...she’s like, ‘I appreciate the honesty, because most people wouldn’t have said that.’” (A, 07:50)
• Consequences of Inability to Say No:
  • Leads to overcommitting and resentment.
  • “When you say yes to something...the whole time you’re just like, ‘Oh, I shouldn’t have done this...That’s extra work. I don’t want to do this.’” (A, 08:15)

6. Government Intervention: Policy and Perception

• The Balancing Act:
  • Question posed: How should the Ghanaian government help the diaspora settle back in?
  • Concerns raised about resentment from local Ghanaians who feel policies overly favor returnees while not addressing local hardships.
  • “We Ghanaians, we ourselves are unemployed…” (A, 09:01)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Not having access to credit is a big one for people because here everything is cash up front.” (A, 00:39)
• “They want collateral, and then they want you to pay 30% interest here. So almost nobody takes loans here because it’s too expensive.” (A, 01:15)
• “Ghanaians are not always honest...there’s a little bit of truth to that.” (A, 02:26)
• “It’s okay to tell someone you don’t know something.” (A, 04:14)
• “Some diaspora hate it so much...in an environment where I’m always trying to figure out what the truth is.” (A, 05:29)
• “I think we have not accepted the word no yet.” (B, 07:17)
• “I appreciate the honesty, because most people wouldn’t have said that.” (A, 08:07)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-02:01 — Cash vs Credit: How Ghana’s system challenges financial flexibility for diasporans
• 02:01-06:59 — Navigating ‘half-truths’: From hospitality to tailoring, the challenge of getting honest answers in daily Ghanaian life
• 07:00-07:17 — Lateness, saying “I’m coming,” and the discomfort of saying “no”
• 07:44-08:26 — Host shares personal anecdote about the difficulty and value of saying “no”
• 08:56–09:01 — Policy: Balancing diaspora needs and local resentment

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Conclusion

This engaging conversation shines a light on the nuanced, everyday frustrations that can snowball into major obstacles for Africans returning to Ghana from the diaspora. While the warmth and adaptability of Ghanaian culture stand out, crucial systemic and cultural barriers—especially around credit, truth-telling, and direct communication—often leave returnees feeling unsettled or frustrated. The episode calls for honest conversations, awareness, and possibly new policies to bridge the gap, while respecting the experiences of both locals and returnees.

Transcript

[A]

That for that guy, he found it annoying enough that he's like, he couldn't stay here because he can't stand hearing that all the time. But for a Ghanaian, it's like, well, that's being polite. So it's like everybody has their little thing. And then the other thing is not having access to debt. Credit is a big one for people. Not having access to credit is a big one for people because here everything is cash up front. If you want to fix your house, your windows need to be replaced. You're going to have to come up with, what, 20,000 cities all up front to pay whatever it is to repair or fix something. Whereas over there, you can do a whole house renovation on credit. You get a loan and you make your monthly installments until it's paid. So it makes life easier to do something immediately because you can make payments in installments. Things are done on credit abroad. And here, everything cash up front. And if you want credit here, you have to go to the bank. You have to prove you have assets. They want collateral, and then they want you to pay 30% interest here. So almost nobody takes loans here because it's too expensive. And most people don't have all that collateral that they're asking for over there. You build a good credit history. You can get a loan anywhere. You can get a loan, you can get a mortgage. That's how people are able to get. They get multiple houses fast and they're able to flip it, make a profit. So it's easier to start a business there, too. Even if you. If you have a good credit, you can go and get a loan, a business loan, you can get someone to get $20,000 to start their business. As long as you've had a business plan, you'll be able to prove what you want to do. And you have a good credit history. You show that you'll be able to make the monthly payments. You get a loan and you start your business. But here. Good luck. Good luck. So there's people who. It's difficult to deal with that stuff. And also, Ghanaians are not always honest. I'm saying something right now that may get some Ghanaians upset, but Ghanaians are not always honest. And I don't know if Ghanaians even realize it. That is something that makes people frustrated. There was an African American who said to me that she's never lived in a country where people lie so much, and she's lived in multiple countries through her life. And she said Ghanaians are the worst liars. That's what she said, and there's a little bit of truth to that. As far as what I'm saying. Ghanaians are not always 100% honest. And I don't know if it's because of fear, because sometimes I think, is it the school system? I didn't go to school in Ghana, so I can't say if this is a fact. Maybe you can correct me if it's not correct. But my observation is I feel like the system of being in boarding school and maybe the headmaster gets you in trouble. And because you don't want to get in trouble, you may be a little bit deceitful with how you tell a story because you're afraid of getting in trouble. Just like how a child might not tell the truth to their parents because they're afraid of getting in trouble. And I feel like maybe that carries through adulthood, that the simple things, people don't tell the truth. And when you don't, it actually escalates into something else. I'll give you an example. Yesterday I was at a hotel, and in the morning I asked the waitress, do you have brewed coffee or is it Nescafe? The sachets of Nescafe? And she looked at me and it was like she didn't know what to say. And I said, do you have brewed coffee? Yes or no? And she said, yes. And I said, okay, do you know what brewed coffee is? Because I've experienced so many times people say yes in Ghana and they're not being fully truthful. So I said, do you know what brewed coffee is? And she just looked at me like, now she's shocked because I'm asking her a direct question. And then she was like, yes. I said, okay, what is brewed coffee? Because. And I'm asking this because I want to make sure I get what I want to order so I can make a decision as to what I want to order. What is brewed coffee? Now she's just looking at me and doesn't know what to say. Then I said, do you know what brewed coffee is? Then she was silent for a bit. Then she said, okay, no, I don't know what it is. So then I said, why did. Why would you say yes? And you didn't really know what it was? Then she was like, I don't know. And I was like, you know, it's okay to tell someone you don't know something. Then she just stood there and looked at me and I said, listen. I said, has this happened to you before where you say yes to Someone who's ordering food from the menu and you say yes to them for something they're asking. Then you go back, when the food is ready, you bring it to them, and now they're upset with you because it's not what they wanted. Have you experienced that? And she said, yes, I have, many times. And I said, do you know why that happens? Because you're telling them yes when the fact is you don't know what they want. Or maybe the answer is no and you're not being completely honest, but if you were completely honest, that person would know what decision to take when they know the truth of the matter. And Ghanaians do this a lot. I see it a lot. And I don't know if it's because they're afraid to tell the truth, but I'll ask something even like, do you have this dress in blue? Oh, yes, we do. Then they'll go back and they'll bring something and you're like, but that's not a blue dress. Oh, but this one is also nice. But I asked you for a blue one and now you're bringing me a green one. This is not blue. Why not just be honest and say, no, we don't have blue, but we have a green one that I think you might like, and then bring that one. So some diaspora hate it so much. They're like, I don't want to be in an environment where I'm always trying to figure out what the truth is. I'm always trying to figure out what is it that I'm going to get. I'm always trying to figure out because the average Ghanaian, if something comes and it's not what they order, they're just like, oh, it's okay, Midi, I'll eat it anyway. It's always, yeah, it's okay. Oh, I don't want to worry about it. Let me just eat it. Whereas someone from abroad will be like, no, I'm not eating this. This is not what I asked for. This is not what I asked for. And so they feel like they're always under this stress because people are not always 100% transparent with stuff. And I. And I wonder if it's because they're afraid to tell you what the reality is. And it's not that they're intentionally trying to be deceitful or anything. I feel like sometimes it's just they don't realize, just tell the people the fact of what it is. And that's something that I've heard diasporans say that they don't like. How they can't tell what the truth is, and that Ghanaians will say they can do something and then they know they can't. Like, you'll go to a tailor, which I know Ghanaians have experienced. You go to a tailor or a seamstress. Will you be able to finish this for me on Friday? Because I need to pick it up on Friday. Will you be able to finish? Yes, I can finish. But they know they can't. But they're telling you yes. Then you come on Friday and it's not done. You're like, you told me you could do it on Friday, but why isn't it done? Oh, madame. Oh, just some. Just let me finish. Just some small. But I'm supposed to pick it up and leave. Not now. You're still at the machine, still sewing it. So that's an example of people are not 100% transparent as to when they can finish something all the time.

[B]

When we are going, we are saying, we are coming.

[A]

Yes, I'm on the way. But now you're just now getting in the shower, Right, I'm on the way.

[B]

So right now.

[A]

And lateness is also another one people don't like.

[B]

I can right now say, if I'm going, and you ask me, derek, where you going? I'll say, mayba, I'm coming.

[A]

Yes, right. Yes, yes, it's lovely.

[B]

Look, I think this is what it is. I think we have not accepted the word no yet. We don't know how to say no.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

You know, we always find a way to manage the situation rather than saying no. Saying no to people is really difficult. Have you been in a deal with somebody where you put something to them and you're just waiting for them to even give you a response? And because you know the answer is going to be no, you don't get a response back.

[A]

Yeah, it happens.

[B]

I mean, I've dealt with some people with real high cash, and they still struggle to say no.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I understand. I mean, I had somebody who asked me to do something and I said no. And then it was like the person was trying to convince me to say yes. Yeah. And I said, I've already given you my answer. And then she was like, wow, you actually said no? And I was like, yes, because I know that I don't have the time to do what you're asking me to do. And she's like, I appreciate the honesty, because most people wouldn't. Wouldn't have said that. And I'm like, I'm not going to add it. Because I've made the mistake before of taking on something that I wish I didn't. Because now, now it's like it's taking my time. And what happens is when you say yes to something, then the whole time you're just like, oh, I shouldn't have done this. I shouldn't have done that. Now that's extra work. I don't want to do this.

[B]

Let me stop you here for a minute. So if it's your first time watching ConnectedMind or you have been here before but still have not subscribed, do us a favor, because majority of the people that watch our videos have not subscribed. This doesn't help us grow beyond what we expect. So help us by hitting the subscribe button. Now, let's get back to the conversation. Ivy. What should the Ghanaian government do to help our friends in the diaspora come back and stay with us?

[A]

What should the government do?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, my goodness. I think having policies in place will help. But. But there's a fine balance. Because you get Ghanaians who are upset saying that people are coddling the diaspora and not doing things for Ghanaians. Because I've heard Ghanaians say that. I've heard Ghanaians say, well, we Ghanaians, we ourselves are unemployed and we ourselves are trying to do this Connected Minds podcast.