Super proud of her and her story... I'm particularly happy that she has grown from her past experiences and is now fully ready and equipped to boss it up!!! Having said that, i have two vital messages for African Americans, other Africans in diaspora & the Africans back in the motherland. 1. African Americans/Africans in diaspora: we must always remember that the good lives we're all afforded is owed to monies stolen from Africa. Approximately 140 trillion British pounds was stolen from Africa between 1620-1954. Please do not go back to Africa unless you're willing to go with loads of money to invest... Do not go back to Africa to compete with the little resources they have left. Africa has sacrificed enough already. The continent does not need any more hungry black people. Go there with money or remain in diaspora! 2. Africans in Africa: you lot have to do better... Get off your beautiful arses and rebuild, we're counting on you to become kings and queens again! Stop waiting on the government to do everything for you... Governments do not build economies, citizens build economies. You have to work hard to compensate for lost time... Set up factories in Africa, Manufacture in Africa, buy goods made in Africa, eat products/produce made in Africa, vacation in Africa, keep African money in Africa... Give us African Americans and Africans in diaspora a run for our money!!!
I'm so glad you're also discussing the less successful journeys to Ghana so that we can all learn from it, Ghana can be unnecessarily tough sometimes and it's always a good idea to take a break and try again later. You always pass failure on your way to success.
Super proud of her and her story... I'm particularly happy that she has grown from her past experiences and is now fully ready and equipped to boss it up!!! Having said that, i have two vital messages for African Americans, other Africans in diaspora & the Africans back in the motherland. 1. African Americans/Africans in diaspora: we must always remember that the good lives we're all afforded is owed to monies stolen from Africa. Approximately 140 trillion British pounds was stolen from Africa between 1620-1954. Please do not go back to Africa unless you're willing to go with loads of money to invest... Do not go back to Africa to compete with the little resources they have left. Africa has sacrificed enough already. The continent does not need any more hungry black people. Go there with money or remain in diaspora! 2. Africans in Africa: you lot have to do better... Get off your beautiful arses and rebuild, we're counting on you to become kings and queens again! Stop waiting on the government to do everything for you... Governments do not build economies, citizens build economies. You have to work hard to compensate for lost time... Set up factories in Africa, Manufacture in Africa, buy goods made in Africa, eat products/produce made in Africa, vacation in Africa, keep African money in Africa... Give us African Americans and Africans in diaspora a run for our money!!!
@@kobinaa4088 Sorry but Government has a role to play in National development...Good infrastructure, deal with currupt civil servants including our MP's and the judiciary, sensible laws, urban planning and restrictions, healthcare, education, cater for the needy and above all introduce sensible taxes and use them wisely...protect the public purse...
Ben T , I should be the one enlightening you on what govt does and so forth. I teach grad students developmental policy (so I am a little versed in the subject matter). More so, i have written severally on the subject matter. You just enumerated 'basic' classroom 1 macroeconomic objectives expected of every state...be it capitalist or mixed. The central point you ought to know is that we Africans are entitled. We (and you included) conflict government's role with individuals responsibilities. Our perspective of daily living is that govt is the cause or promoter of our woes/prosperity. We've become totally reliant on government to do basic things for us. Most Africans act as if governments have unlimited influx of funds to cater for all our whims and caprices. Every unemployed graduate in GH thinks govt owes him a job. No ingenuity, nothing. I could go on all night long. Not worth my time. The premise of my point still stands.
it didn't work the first time but she didn't make it sound like Ghana is hell on earth, she learnt from her mistakes, took ownership. She grew and will come back ready. I enjoyed it.
I'm so loving her honesty and transparency... I made the same mistake . I started coming to Gh in 2014 on visits...I fell in love with Ghana. In 2018 I finally rented my first house but would only stay half the year n back to US. And repeat. I was setting up in Gh..And realized I couldn't fully live in Gh without an income coming in , in Gh, bcs I didn't want to continue going to Gh with my earnings from the US, then when I'm almost low come BK to work ... I think because the "systems" in Africa are so terrible compared to the West that we tend to think if we move to Africa and start a business we WILL make it coz we see the locals offer crappy services and they are still in business. So therefore if we bring US or UK business mindset and set it up in Africa,we will automatically thrive. ...I made that mistake too. In September 2021 I opened a hair salon , barbershop and food joint all at the same time.. long story short. I closed everything down before the year ended. Employees were stealing equipment and products, doing their own hair and nails for free and were serving themselves free food with extra meat. Hairdressers watching TV eating doing EACH OTHERS hair by the food joint area. 🤮 Drinks were missing from stock but only 32ghc of drink revenue🙄 The stress wasn't worth it ,I shut everything down and went back to America to regroup. I still hv everything packed in the house in Ghana but I'm AFRAID to try it again. The stress made me lose sooooo much weight, I don't want to re-live that stress until I'm desperate enough for that Ghana income.
@@tin7749 While traveling and living on the East and West Coast of Africa, I have discovered that many locals do not have respect, or a concept of time management and business etiquette. Their lackadaisical attitude towards a good standard of customer service was surprising and very annoying to me. Their outright contempt for business owners and their inventory (stealing and poor maintenance) is atrocious. The assumption and attitude towards the merchandise is that 'there is always plenty where it came from'. I found this to be true in many service oriented businesses. On several occasions I visited a diasporan owned beauty shop where I was the ONLY customer. I said hello and was ignored by the workers for at least (5) minutes while they joked and was giving each other manicures. When I interrupted them and asked for service, their attitude was one of annoyance and impatience...especially after hearing my foreign accent. The shelf items were dusty and the cost of products was not listed. Upon inquiry I received (2) different prices. A discussion between the 'workers' ensued, and two of them went into a back room to find a (dusty) old inventory book. There was more disagreement discussion between the 'workers' (in their language) and a new price was finally announced....I should have left the store upon entering when I was initially ignored. LOL. The only reason I returned to that place of business more than once is because they offered a casual, but hard to find, product for that area. I also wanted to show support, and patronise a new diasporan business. In addition, I realise that any business can have a 'bad service day' at any given time, but I am here to tell you that every visit to that establishment resulted in unprofessional service and non- productivity. I have actually gone into stores where the workers wanted me to purchase an extra item to give to them..... Of course we all know by now how 'foreigners', (melanated or not) get charged an 'upcharge' for many unlabeled/uncoded items...which usually goes into the pockets of the workers, not the owner. That's why I ask for a receipt for everything I purchase (if possible). These type practices are distasteful to customers and may prevent recurring visits. This is not an isolated occurrence, so there is definitely a trend here and throughout most of the Impoverished regions of Africa. More affluent areas have less if these occurrences. Please do not put the blame on entrepreneurs who merely want to establish a thriving business and employ local workers in 'The Mother Land'. You say it is the "lack of business skills" of the establishment owners; I cannot speak to that. However, I do know that unfortunately we should not expect to receive Western styled service from some of the African styled cultures, unless the workers are highly trained. This is not a 'put-down'...just my observation and experience...and I hear it is typical.
I’m looking to go back by ne t two years. I experienced much of the same things. I’m looking to group with some friends wanting to go back if you are interested please chat me. Possibly we can help each other.
@@jayekaye5638 Wow! I experienced this in a US business, and I IMMEDIATELY walked out... you are not going to charge me whilst disrespecting me, your customer... nope!! I walked right next door & had great service... honestly, we have to do better, worldwide!!💯❤
@@jayekaye5638 Thank you for KNOWING and EXPLAINING EXACTLY as it is. My barber used to tell me "no one came today, 1 person came today...." The day I hired a manager to watch over everyone in each store, THE BARBER QUIT and didn't announce his leaving. Thank God when he left he didn't steal things. At least anymore than he had been stealing. I would say I dont want to open another business that involves hiring employees. I am still seeking something I would enjoy and be able to sell by myself. The weirdest thing is they get mad at you when you catch them in them trying to rip you off........like just bcs ur from overseas you are not supposed to be mad at me for trying to get a little out of you.😔It's very sad and frustrating.
You live and you learn. She was young at that time. Having a plan does not always guarantee success but better than no plan. That whole moving back to Ghana 🇬🇭 is so hyped up in my opinion especially for someone in your working years unless you are retired. Moving back to Ghana to start a business may for work for some but is definitely not for everyone. Love❤️💕from the US🇺🇸
@@EllaWilliams19 You are right, the place is over hyped! I may not be a Black, but we were stationed in Gha and the place has not improved in the last few years. A few restaurants and over priced apartments. It's not a good place
@@MrILES-gu3xb People go to your Country and show off in clubs and restaurants. The reality is you guys have extreme poverty and life is very hard for the average Black. My team saw this when we came over.
Its the small things that drive me crazy in Africa, it’s the time keeping and respect for appointments, working attitude and quality of services. If they know you are from abroad then they take advantage and call you snob if you complain.
So true... You just wanna be on time, do thing properly, no "corruption" and delivers quality to customers, but your partner are like "Hooo u are so european! u think u chinese, common thats "good enough" why u want excellence blabla ... " pfff wtf is this mentality. Seriously there is a huge work need to be done about the general mentality in Africa about business, this is why it's going nowhere... I'm having hope with internet people will change... But when i see many people prefers to watch videos of girls twerking and tiktok challenges... pff
I call it the "whatever" attitude. Everything is whatever. You need to come in on time, whatever. You need to be nice, whatever. You need to have more accountability, whatever. What I have found is that you could be the smartest, intellectual on the planet, if you simply do not care about anything (have the whatever attitude), you will never get anywhere. White people and people in general love to take advantage of that whatever attitude. This is why people take advantage of Africans. You take advantage of them and they are still like, whatever.
@@experiencedoptimist6548 Yeah and the whatever attitude combined with "it's ok, god willl punish him/ take care of this. It's life, it's god's will" NOOO Move your ass and do something about it!! Stop waiting god does everything. it's not because you go pay the priest and scream in the church that god will help you... Out of subject: how much money africans giving to their churches..! It make me so angry the priest that steal the poors!! They could have opened business and REALLY help their families and make their country better with all these money!! I'm sorry but priests and church in Africa (most of them) are the biggest trash people of Africa, not far away from the politicians on the podium! They have the power to unite people and change things but choose to do nothing and still people. Making them scared that if they dont pay they won't go to paradise. I'm wondering which one is worst sometimes!!
And they can be rude too. I remember calling home affairs on South Africa regarding my visa status. I said 'hello" and then it was silent so I said "hello" again and then the lady answers and says "yes, what do you want"... I was like damn, where you manners at pig😂
This is my fifth year living in Ghana. We moved from Chicago, Illinois in the US. We have achieved many of our personal goals and still there are many challenges. The global pandemic and inflation is not helping, that's for sure. Better organization on the part of the Diaspora would help us be able to better apply any skills or lessons we've picked up in the West without being condescending or irrelevant. We complain about the deficits in Ghana but what have we made of the great abundance of opportunities here? The main reasons are fear, selfishness and our inability to apply group solutions to some of these challenges. Frankly, we have more trouble from the Diaspora community coming in than we have from the folks who've been here the whole time. So, yes the dialogue here is good because at least accountability was part of the conversation.
I was in a bank in Kumasi a few months ago. Won't say which one, but it was a main branch for one of the biggest banks in Ghana. It took 2 hours for a forex transaction to exchange a single US bill. Honestly, my favorite place to change money is at the Accra mall by the Game outlet. Literally takes seconds for foreigners. It does take longer for residents, but the banking must be improved.
So when you guys talk like this , I don’t see why. “ there is a bank but you won’t say which. “ why will you do that. ? You should say the name of the bank if your story is true. This way people can properly learn from your experience. Don’t be scared say what bank it is. There is no value in hiding the name. You enabling them by keeping them Anonymous.
@@ampofoboadi No offense is meant. In the West, it is generally considered rude to talk badly about specifics because of the chance of employees facing consequences for things that are outside of their control. Usually naming specific locations or employee names is reserved for the worst of the worst, such as rude workers. The location is the Harper Road CalBank office if you must know. Everyone in the location was friendly and professional. This was a process and efficiency issue, which is why I did not initially name the location.
I really enjoyed this conversation. I appreciate seeing both sides of the coin. For some people moving back to Ghana works, and with others it either may not work, or it may simply require more planning. Either way, there is always a lesson to be learnt, everyone should do whatever makes them happy ❤️
Have you heard of work and happiness before? This simply means We enjoy doing the tasks assigned to us. We feel right about the people we are working with. We are happy with the financial benefits we get from the job. We have the scope of improving our existing skills... what’s are the working conditions of the average Ghanaian? If the employer pretend to be paying the employees, the employees will also pretend to working.
There are established fashion houses ( Okujeto, for instance) in Ghana who have been in business for over 30 plus years. It will be a good plan to learn from them .
I wish Ghana leaders and the wealthy Ghanaians are looking at the program Often we hear from the leaders they are looking for investors, some talk about diaspora home coming yet they don't seems look at the environment which is the core of both investors & diaspora home coming This lady no matter how difficulties she went through she is determined to come back to Ghana not that the environment is improved they are the potential investors not those who will destroy Ghanaian environment avoid taxes and depart with huge lootings I want any leader to pay much attention here
Those leaders don't have time for social media like this because they're busy feeling their pockets and stealing from the country's coffers. They're thieves especially the current government. Their president even using government money to build a christian cathedral in the 21st century because some goddamn god from somewhere told him in his dream to build that thing when the country has massive debts , and crumbling infrastructure. They talk about investors so they can get their back kick.
Moving back to Ghana at this time to me is not advisable. The whole system is a mess. Exchange rate fluctuating on a daily basis, expensive accommodation and so on. I’d advise you hold on till when things cool off a bit. I been here for four years and so far so good but this year is a really shaky one.
I can totally relate to your experience. I’ve tried too. I’m leaving and going back to France this week. My African dream is on a hold for now, I’m not giving up tho. Might try in few years. I had a solid plan, still, it didn’t work out. In my case I’m not even from Ghana originally which make it on a whole other level. Anyways see ya in few years maybe 🧘🏾♂️
I am Nigerian. A few years ago, I tried to build a house *right there in my village* . Everything frustrating thing this woman described, is doubled in Nigeria. I gave up on my dream, and took an unfortunate $25K loss.
You live and you learn. She was young at that time. Having a plan does not always guarantee success but better than no plan. That whole moving back to Ghana 🇬🇭 is so hyped up in my opinion especially for someone in your working years (and if you have children to raise schools in Ghana are too expensive ) unless you are retired. Moving back to Ghana to start a business may for work for some but is definitely not for everyone. Love❤️💕from the US🇺🇸
I don’t think it’s hype, America is the land of opportunity, yet many, many people fail in America and others make it after just a few years in the US. African countries have tremendous opportunities for those with an entrepreneurial bent especially in education, healthcare, IT, tourism, housing, agriculture. Planning, tenacity and immersing yourself in the local culture is the first step to success.
Don’t be bothered by those who do know your pains and struggles, that country is not fit for everyone .I left and don’t think will return to Gh any soon. They will promise you job, when you arrive it is a different story. It may work for some and not others, live your reality
Interesting interview, you are not a failure except you accept it; life is all about experiences and learning from mistakes, correcting and moving on. Relocation is not an easy task and it is more or less 80% mental and 20% physical and that is why it is important to understand the workings of the mind.
Wonderful conversation ❤️. Understanding the culture of the people is so important to living in Ghana. Otherwise you will be frustrated every day. Even though I grew up in Ghana and left when in my 20s I feel the same and have to continually remind myself when I go back.🤣🤣
Your experience sounds typical to customer care in Uganda. When you move to Africa you need to prepare yourself mentally otherwise you run crazy. Very interesting story, thank you 😊
The best thing is to build your own home in Ghana....my dad is doing that right now for me and my brother so we have a place in the future when he is no longer here. My uncle built a house in Kumasi. He spends half the year in Ghana and Canada. Vanessa is so pretty..🥰.
Lucky you. My dad did nothing of the sort for me. I bought and built my own houses bro. Specifically, I returned back home to Ghana in 2012, after living in the States for approximately 30 years. I bought my first house in 2014 and built my dream house, which was completed 2020.
@@denniscasely-hayford3245 I wish I was in Ghana right now. Last time I was there was in 2019. Second time back since immigrating to Canada as a young kid and I didn't want to come back. My cousin asked me why I would choose Ghana to live over other places...I told him you don't understand until the plane lands. Just being around people who look like you does something to your mind and Seoul.
Refreshing guest/cousin. she is honest about the part she played in her story and also identified the lessons she has learned. I think she said it best, I think her next go around will succeed. Love this honest conversation.....
🤓 The last time I was in Ghana was Dec 1993. I was a teenager returning after 6yrs away - and I cried. I haven't been back since. But I love watching & appreciate my fellow Ghanaians on TH-cam 🇬🇭💞🙏🏾
Her story about withdrawing money from the bank made remember how I was thrown out of Ecobank at Tudu branch years ago. I had queue for almost an hour to withdraw money when it got to my turn the cashier behind the counter closed the cubicle and start eating kenkey right before my eyes without any explanation. When I questioned her out of frustration, she called the security to throw me out. I can't remember how I got home that day because I had ran out of money.
Absolutely love the honesty in your reflection and lessons learnt. You shared some insight into what it entails to set up a business in Ghana and also the background work/preparations that needs to happen prior 👏🏽 👏🏽
Very refreshing to watch this conversation, there's so much truth in what she's saying, mindset is key...We need to be risk takers and celebrate and learn from those who pave a path. 12 years and ready to come back #WooHoo.Keeping it real, the ATM one even now is a real battle for us, having money in your account yet not being able to access it is still an interesting experience.
Black folks from the diaspora need greater business sensitivity and keenness of the African environment. She is coming to set up her fashion business idea. No, no , no. Cause you have no clue of the environmental factors. Fix local existing business problems, and in her case, open a work ethic company. This is to train locals on importance of a great work ethic etc. That is, work from inside out! Do better what is already going on! Great interview Vanessa.
We shall overcome. Just believe and have faith. Put your trust in the Supreme Being and He will direct your path. Realize that others are making it. Good job Vanessa. 🙌👍
Wow 🤩 Beautiful backdrop Vanessa , great interview ❤️ Such a professional job of it. 😃👍 full of information from a firsthand perspective. Thank you 🙏 cheers 🥂❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥
Thank you Vanessa for this very insightful video! My husband is Ghanaian and we are currently contemplating about when and how to make our transition to Ghana (currently staying in Belgium). Working in the development sector and having seen the huge opportunities in Ghana, I have the strong urge to establish a social business and have a real impact. Also, our 2 year old son is called Jojo and when I saw the book of Jodi it made me so happy I immediately ordered it!
If countries like Ghana want the majority of the African diaspora to return, its the small things and mindset has got to change. The diaspora needs to do thorough research and plan on what areas need to change before moving there.
Vanessa this is another really good video. 😀😀🙏🏿🙏🏿 Congratulations my dear. This direction is great. I was thinking another house again. But now we are seeing content about the real Ghana as in what is really going on. 😀😀 very nice.
This lady gives a fantastic and ACCURATE account of how things TRULY are in Ghana for most hoping to move and build up a something helpful long term to the economy and for the locals. After all that frustration it's a miracle she looks so well. Wishing her success and that she gets to realise her full potential in her skill
The biggest mistakes a lot of repatriated brothers and sisters from the diaspora make moving to Africa is they do not seek to buy their own land and build on it and those who do by land by customary land that they do not legally own and will not get a title or deed but the right to abode which is not something that will ensure that you will remain on that land if another travel Chief come and once you off that land Kenya is one of the places where you can buy land and be a foreigner without having to own a business and have someone of that country have 75% shareholders in that business. I have seen stories like this many times and many times over a lot of brothers and sisters from the diaspora go to Africa and rent properties instead of buying their own land stay on land where they have a 99 year lease without starting a business in the country first then by the land and putting their land under the business making sure that you have legal documents to ensure your Land from your business partner that's very important because some people are not trustworthy especially when they see us coming from America or from the Western hemisphere,also a lot about brothers and sisters don't know if you do your DNA which most of us will match up with Sierra Leone with the lemba tribe Bantu Nigeria's Igbo or ebo tribe Sierra Leone will give you citizenship if you can prove your DNA comes from there so there's a lot of research and I know this is a lot of single African he break is like sisters going to Africa by themselves and they're the main ones I see rushing back to America or the Western hemisphere because of income you got to do your research you can't just leave somewhere because you got it in your head to find yourself or you got to go on a journey to find yourself I see that's a lot of what these sisters do and this is the reason why they rushing back to their countries where they were born you should never want to go to a country and become dependent on their system you supposed to go to a country and help build up their economy and only way you could do that is being self-sufficient independent living off-grade on your own land building Eco restoration villages communities that will thrive community that our self-sustaining meaning you grow your own food you produce everything that you need and you teach the people those same skills but if you're going there looking for jobs then you're going to fall flat on your face if you're going there to rent or buy a house you're going to follow family on your face because it's not like the Western hemisphere unless you have a business that the people will patronize because they need your services then you're only best bet is to get land and to know how to live off of it without any thing outside of it off-grid living
@@MC_TravelAdventures traditional land would be better if it's offered in the land that you're living in most countries in Africa they either got state owned land customary land or traditional land some only have the two stay on and customary lot of countries are doing away with the traditional land I would have opt for the traditional land myself if I could but the country that I own land in no longer offer traditional land just state ownd and customary.
@@ChineduOpara No need for punctuation I'm not writing I'm speaking into my phone and if you have a hard time deciphering what's being spoken then maybe the information isn't for you maybe it's not for your comprehension keep in mind I'm not a European I don't speak like Europeans nor do I take pride in their language knowing their culture so my ancestors didn't use it and neither do I unless I actually have to.
This is a great video. As I consider a transition to Ghana, it will likely be 6 months on and 6 months off working remotely at my current job to ensure stability. There's a lot to learn about the culture and starting a business there and i'd like to take my time.
That sounds like the best approach to take. I have family in Ghana and have visited twice but would also like to live there one day and am in the process of planning for that too.
A real business educación comes from failures. She will probably have more failures before she comes successful . But she seems like a girl that has a drive and she not someone to give up. I’m happy for her
Doing business in Ghana is a challenge. The fact that so many do not have customer service skills, critical thinking or a sense of urgency is pretty sad. Ive been running my business out of Ghana for 2.5 years & sometimes, I really thinkIm crazy dealing with some of the issues.
Some try and fail, but at least they tried. They the more courageous. Some talk and dream ad do nothing. Bravo, by trying, you have already succeeded. As you said, it is a part you had take to be where you are now. Vanessa too. i am still dreaming of coming, gathering energy and €s
I had a similar situation in 2018 but my situation was more frustrating because I was in Canada and I was trying to work with these people in Ghana ……. When he quit he didn’t even have the decency to tell me, I kept calling and calling no answer, it was crazy…. It’s been 4 years and I’m still recuperating to come back and do it myself.
I came from Canada like 4 years ago and still in Ghana. I’m being able to accomplish what I came here for which is setting up my own business. Trust me, what’s kept me going for this long is me doing it by myself. It’s extremely tiring but if you don’t do it yourself and depend on your workers and what not you’re gonna keep running back. The people here don’t care.
I live in Canada and I have a struggling business in the Volta Region. I'm now entering year two of my business and I've learnt to spend money and get things done myself while visiting the country instead of sending the money. My business partner takes 2-3 month to get things done although he does a good job, but it can be frustrating especially when money doesn't come easy. I'm hoping to travel at some point this year or the next.
I was going to move to Ghana two years ago but these simple frustrations made me rethink a lot and maybe i'll save my move for later when the country has it's sh*t more together.
Sometimes when I read comments from all sides either western born Africans or Africans migrants then I shook my head because so many complaining complaining and complaining behind their phones and computers but they've have absolutely no solution or innovation knowhows to solve the problems... Well enjoy already built country and do the complains with your only 2 hours sleeping time.... anyway three young Ghanaians has died in their rooms in UK... tiredness, unhappiness and unhealthy foods cause It....
Woh .I am so enthused about your brilliance and braveness ,keep it up.we are hopefully going to follow in suite.All the best thank you and God bless you.
Ghana is expensive. you guys there need to be careful because the greed is driving up the prices - that will have a negative effect on your country in the future.
Am glad she admitted she didnt study the business culture well enough. My advice to the rest is that when you come to Ghana dont think because you lived in a first world country you are superior or intelligent enough to do business here your way, things work differently here.
Note to people there, for money transactions, use MTN also called mobile money. electronic transfer that happens with mobile numbers. getting physical cash is not wise you will pay to get your money.
I am African -American woman married to a Ghanaian ,we were in Ghana for only a week from the U S with my husband and our two kids and we went to restaurant for breakfast and all of us ordered simple cheese omelette and they served us eggs and bread and we told them we ordered cheese omelette and we wanted cheese and not bread and to our surprise they told us it’s good to eat eggs and bread and not cheese .so we decided to leave but we still paid them and since then I have never gone back to Ghana ,my girls are now out of college and working so it’s been a while
I don't know about "cancelling" a country because one restaurant did not serve you what you ordered. However, I think it is common decency to let a customer know that what they've ordered is not available, not bring them something they didn't order AND school them on "what's good for them" instead of taking responsibility and accepting fault. That's horrible!
@@animiimi4645 The thing is the woman was so rude and even insulted us saying we should go back to America and I asked myself where is customer service
Love this video and how she explained her adventures so far. All the best on your return to Ghana 🇬🇭. No giving up because dreams do come true. On the merry-go-round of life we go through so much learning on how to get up after being knocked down. But get up we must and keep moving along so fun! Peace!
Madam - please don’t beat yourself up. We are proud of you. These people with big businesses - they all failed initially - why? Because even people that went to Harvard do not have a clue what they are doing when it comes to business because there are just so many hats to wear at the start. What is important is that you have the talent. I have spent 20 years working for the biggest multinationals in the U.K. and the social enterprise that I setup here has only started to realise it’s full potential. So the way is start - fail - learn - regroup - restart. It’s also a good idea to speak to people that came before us. Blessings.
Hi thank you for discussing this, I was going to come to Ghana to live but I keep hearing these kind of stories and it really did put me off. I will still be visiting and coming on holiday but I won’t be living there. From what people saying every time you do something somebody wants some sort of extra payment. No I can’t live like that. But thanks for sharing Some very useful information.
This was so interesting. I am glad that you highlighted some of the pitfalls to guard against. I also plan to come back. But I certainly will not be as sentimental as at earlier periods. Hope your 2nd coming is filled with success
Loved chatting with my cousin! Check out Jodi’s new book here - www.jojoandtheadinkroes.com/shop/p/jojoandtheadinkroesbook or on Amazon🤩
Super proud of her and her story... I'm particularly happy that she has grown from her past experiences and is now fully ready and equipped to boss it up!!!
Having said that, i have two vital messages for African Americans, other Africans in diaspora & the Africans back in the motherland.
1. African Americans/Africans in diaspora: we must always remember that the good lives we're all afforded is owed to monies stolen from Africa. Approximately 140 trillion British pounds was stolen from Africa between 1620-1954. Please do not go back to Africa unless you're willing to go with loads of money to invest... Do not go back to Africa to compete with the little resources they have left. Africa has sacrificed enough already. The continent does not need any more hungry black people. Go there with money or remain in diaspora!
2. Africans in Africa: you lot have to do better... Get off your beautiful arses and rebuild, we're counting on you to become kings and queens again! Stop waiting on the government to do everything for you... Governments do not build economies, citizens build economies. You have to work hard to compensate for lost time... Set up factories in Africa, Manufacture in Africa, buy goods made in Africa, eat products/produce made in Africa, vacation in Africa, keep African money in Africa... Give us African Americans and Africans in diaspora a run for our money!!!
Vanessa can you ask her how do we get an autographed book ? Thank you.
I was Security at a company Jodi worked for years ago. Jodi is a cool sister. Proud of her. Have not seen her in years. Say hello to her for me.
Aaaaahhhh ok, your cousin s the author of Jojo and the adinkroes 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 ❤
@@crislemaitre9321 ah bless thankyou ❤👏🏿
It's normal.. Some Ghanaians also travel to USA and London but can't make it and move back to Ghana.. So it's normal
the overhyped narrative of Ghana sets unsuspecting people up for a hard fall.
Very true after saying they’ll never go back home to Ghana it’s the facts of life and I love that they try right ❤️💛💚 🇬🇭
Very few. If you can’t make it in The US you cannot make it no where. Tou can start small and still make more money than living in Africa.
@@sonjaanderson6933 sometimes it's not about the money.
@@britjj5126 It takes money to live everywhere dear.
I'm so glad you're also discussing the less successful journeys to Ghana so that we can all learn from it, Ghana can be unnecessarily tough sometimes and it's always a good idea to take a break and try again later. You always pass failure on your way to success.
It’s really important because both outcomes are real
Super proud of her and her story... I'm particularly happy that she has grown from her past experiences and is now fully ready and equipped to boss it up!!!
Having said that, i have two vital messages for African Americans, other Africans in diaspora & the Africans back in the motherland.
1. African Americans/Africans in diaspora: we must always remember that the good lives we're all afforded is owed to monies stolen from Africa. Approximately 140 trillion British pounds was stolen from Africa between 1620-1954. Please do not go back to Africa unless you're willing to go with loads of money to invest... Do not go back to Africa to compete with the little resources they have left. Africa has sacrificed enough already. The continent does not need any more hungry black people. Go there with money or remain in diaspora!
2. Africans in Africa: you lot have to do better... Get off your beautiful arses and rebuild, we're counting on you to become kings and queens again! Stop waiting on the government to do everything for you... Governments do not build economies, citizens build economies. You have to work hard to compensate for lost time... Set up factories in Africa, Manufacture in Africa, buy goods made in Africa, eat products/produce made in Africa, vacation in Africa, keep African money in Africa... Give us African Americans and Africans in diaspora a run for our money!!!
@@RoyaIboy you've said it all with your second point. We are too entitled thinking govt should provide everything.
@@kobinaa4088 Sorry but Government has a role to play in National development...Good infrastructure, deal with currupt civil servants including our MP's and the judiciary, sensible laws, urban planning and restrictions, healthcare, education, cater for the needy and above all introduce sensible taxes and use them wisely...protect the public purse...
Ben T , I should be the one enlightening you on what govt does and so forth. I teach grad students developmental policy (so I am a little versed in the subject matter). More so, i have written severally on the subject matter. You just enumerated 'basic' classroom 1 macroeconomic objectives expected of every state...be it capitalist or mixed. The central point you ought to know is that we Africans are entitled. We (and you included) conflict government's role with individuals responsibilities. Our perspective of daily living is that govt is the cause or promoter of our woes/prosperity. We've become totally reliant on government to do basic things for us. Most Africans act as if governments have unlimited influx of funds to cater for all our whims and caprices. Every unemployed graduate in GH thinks govt owes him a job. No ingenuity, nothing. I could go on all night long. Not worth my time. The premise of my point still stands.
it didn't work the first time but she didn't make it sound like Ghana is hell on earth, she learnt from her mistakes, took ownership. She grew and will come back ready. I enjoyed it.
my friend, what she is saying is more than hell. big frustration lead to depression then mental illness.
I'm so loving her honesty and transparency... I made the same mistake . I started coming to Gh in 2014 on visits...I fell in love with Ghana. In 2018 I finally rented my first house but would only stay half the year n back to US. And repeat. I was setting up in Gh..And realized I couldn't fully live in Gh without an income coming in , in Gh, bcs I didn't want to continue going to Gh with my earnings from the US, then when I'm almost low come BK to work ... I think because the "systems" in Africa are so terrible compared to the West that we tend to think if we move to Africa and start a business we WILL make it coz we see the locals offer crappy services and they are still in business. So therefore if we bring US or UK business mindset and set it up in Africa,we will automatically thrive. ...I made that mistake too. In September 2021 I opened a hair salon , barbershop and food joint all at the same time.. long story short. I closed everything down before the year ended. Employees were stealing equipment and products, doing their own hair and nails for free and were serving themselves free food with extra meat. Hairdressers watching TV eating doing EACH OTHERS hair by the food joint area. 🤮 Drinks were missing from stock but only 32ghc of drink revenue🙄 The stress wasn't worth it ,I shut everything down and went back to America to regroup. I still hv everything packed in the house in Ghana but I'm AFRAID to try it again. The stress made me lose sooooo much weight, I don't want to re-live that stress until I'm desperate enough for that Ghana income.
@@tin7749
While traveling and living on the East and West Coast of Africa, I have discovered that many locals do not have respect, or a concept of time management and business etiquette.
Their lackadaisical attitude towards a good standard of customer service was surprising and very annoying to me. Their outright contempt for business owners and their inventory (stealing and poor maintenance) is atrocious.
The assumption and attitude towards the merchandise is that 'there is always plenty where it came from'.
I found this to be true in many service oriented businesses.
On several occasions I visited a diasporan owned beauty shop where I was the ONLY customer. I said hello and was ignored by the workers for at least (5) minutes while they joked and was giving each other manicures.
When I interrupted them and asked for service, their attitude was one of annoyance and impatience...especially after hearing my foreign accent.
The shelf items were dusty and the cost of products was not listed.
Upon inquiry I received (2) different prices. A discussion between the 'workers' ensued, and two of them went into a back room to find a (dusty) old inventory book. There was more disagreement discussion between the 'workers' (in their language) and a new price was finally announced....I should have left the store upon entering when I was initially ignored. LOL.
The only reason I returned to that place of business more than once is because they offered a casual, but hard to find, product for that area.
I also wanted to show support, and patronise a new diasporan business.
In addition, I realise that any business can have a 'bad service day' at any given time, but I am here to tell you that every visit to that establishment resulted in unprofessional service and non- productivity.
I have actually gone into stores where the workers wanted me to purchase an extra item to give to them.....
Of course we all know by now how 'foreigners', (melanated or not) get charged an 'upcharge' for many unlabeled/uncoded items...which usually goes into the pockets of the workers, not the owner.
That's why I ask for a receipt for everything I purchase (if possible).
These type practices are distasteful to customers and may prevent recurring visits.
This is not an isolated occurrence, so there is definitely a trend here and throughout most of the Impoverished regions of Africa. More affluent areas have less if these occurrences.
Please do not put the blame on entrepreneurs who merely want to establish a thriving business and employ local workers in 'The Mother Land'.
You say it is the "lack of business skills" of the establishment owners; I cannot
speak to that. However, I do know that
unfortunately we should not expect to receive Western styled service from some of the African styled cultures, unless the workers are highly trained.
This is not a 'put-down'...just my observation and experience...and I hear it is typical.
I’m looking to go back by ne t two years. I experienced much of the same things. I’m looking to group with some friends wanting to go back if you are interested please chat me. Possibly we can help each other.
@@jayekaye5638 Wow! I experienced this in a US business, and I IMMEDIATELY walked out... you are not going to charge me whilst disrespecting me, your customer... nope!! I walked right next door & had great service... honestly, we have to do better, worldwide!!💯❤
hey
What are you planning to do?
I'm up for it do you have a business in Africa?
@@jayekaye5638 Thank you for KNOWING and EXPLAINING EXACTLY as it is. My barber used to tell me "no one came today, 1 person came today...." The day I hired a manager to watch over everyone in each store, THE BARBER QUIT and didn't announce his leaving. Thank God when he left he didn't steal things. At least anymore than he had been stealing. I would say I dont want to open another business that involves hiring employees. I am still seeking something I would enjoy and be able to sell by myself. The weirdest thing is they get mad at you when you catch them in them trying to rip you off........like just bcs ur from overseas you are not supposed to be mad at me for trying to get a little out of you.😔It's very sad and frustrating.
The cash withdrawal and queuing at 5.30am is 😱😱😱. Frustrations are a killer. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I will stick to being a tourist 😂
1:33
'She didn't have a plan, she had an idea'
That sums it up.
You live and you learn. She was young at that time. Having a plan does not always guarantee success but better than no plan. That whole moving back to Ghana 🇬🇭 is so hyped up in my opinion especially for someone in your working years unless you are retired. Moving back to Ghana to start a business may for work for some but is definitely not for everyone. Love❤️💕from the US🇺🇸
@@EllaWilliams19
You are right, the place is over hyped!
I may not be a Black, but we were stationed in Gha and the place has not improved in the last few years.
A few restaurants and over priced apartments. It's not a good place
@@time4advancement244 what do you mean overhyped? It’s a developing country.
Hey Africa is not for everyone.
@@MrILES-gu3xb People go to your Country and show off in clubs and restaurants.
The reality is you guys have extreme poverty and life is very hard for the average Black.
My team saw this when we came over.
Its the small things that drive me crazy in Africa, it’s the time keeping and respect for appointments, working attitude and quality of services. If they know you are from abroad then they take advantage and call you snob if you complain.
So true... You just wanna be on time, do thing properly, no "corruption" and delivers quality to customers, but your partner are like "Hooo u are so european! u think u chinese, common thats "good enough" why u want excellence blabla ... " pfff wtf is this mentality. Seriously there is a huge work need to be done about the general mentality in Africa about business, this is why it's going nowhere... I'm having hope with internet people will change... But when i see many people prefers to watch videos of girls twerking and tiktok challenges... pff
I call it the "whatever" attitude. Everything is whatever. You need to come in on time, whatever. You need to be nice, whatever. You need to have more accountability, whatever. What I have found is that you could be the smartest, intellectual on the planet, if you simply do not care about anything (have the whatever attitude), you will never get anywhere. White people and people in general love to take advantage of that whatever attitude. This is why people take advantage of Africans. You take advantage of them and they are still like, whatever.
@@experiencedoptimist6548 Yeah and the whatever attitude combined with "it's ok, god willl punish him/ take care of this. It's life, it's god's will" NOOO Move your ass and do something about it!! Stop waiting god does everything. it's not because you go pay the priest and scream in the church that god will help you... Out of subject: how much money africans giving to their churches..! It make me so angry the priest that steal the poors!! They could have opened business and REALLY help their families and make their country better with all these money!! I'm sorry but priests and church in Africa (most of them) are the biggest trash people of Africa, not far away from the politicians on the podium! They have the power to unite people and change things but choose to do nothing and still people. Making them scared that if they dont pay they won't go to paradise. I'm wondering which one is worst sometimes!!
Agreed.
And they can be rude too. I remember calling home affairs on South Africa regarding my visa status. I said 'hello" and then it was silent so I said "hello" again and then the lady answers and says "yes, what do you want"... I was like damn, where you manners at pig😂
We learn from failure not from success. Thanks for your courage to get back on your feet. Great vlog Vanessa.
Thankyou for your kind words👏🏿
This is my fifth year living in Ghana. We moved from Chicago, Illinois in the US. We have achieved many of our personal goals and still there are many challenges. The global pandemic and inflation is not helping, that's for sure. Better organization on the part of the Diaspora would help us be able to better apply any skills or lessons we've picked up in the West without being condescending or irrelevant. We complain about the deficits in Ghana but what have we made of the great abundance of opportunities here? The main reasons are fear, selfishness and our inability to apply group solutions to some of these challenges. Frankly, we have more trouble from the Diaspora community coming in than we have from the folks who've been here the whole time. So, yes the dialogue here is good because at least accountability was part of the conversation.
I was in a bank in Kumasi a few months ago. Won't say which one, but it was a main branch for one of the biggest banks in Ghana. It took 2 hours for a forex transaction to exchange a single US bill. Honestly, my favorite place to change money is at the Accra mall by the Game outlet. Literally takes seconds for foreigners. It does take longer for residents, but the banking must be improved.
So when you guys talk like this , I don’t see why. “ there is a bank but you won’t say which. “ why will you do that. ? You should say the name of the bank if your story is true. This way people can properly learn from your experience. Don’t be scared say what bank it is. There is no value in hiding the name. You enabling them by keeping them Anonymous.
@@ampofoboadi No offense is meant. In the West, it is generally considered rude to talk badly about specifics because of the chance of employees facing consequences for things that are outside of their control. Usually naming specific locations or employee names is reserved for the worst of the worst, such as rude workers. The location is the Harper Road CalBank office if you must know. Everyone in the location was friendly and professional. This was a process and efficiency issue, which is why I did not initially name the location.
@@BrowncoatBlue l am glad you saw the utility value in unleashing the name of the bank. This is how we can change Ghana one step at a time.
@@ampofoboadi Couldn't agree more. You have to expose the bank.
@@tyy5557 thank you 🙏🏾
I really enjoyed this conversation. I appreciate seeing both sides of the coin. For some people moving back to Ghana works, and with others it either may not work, or it may simply require more planning. Either way, there is always a lesson to be learnt, everyone should do whatever makes them happy ❤️
🤣🤣🤣"Is like nobody cares". Is true the speed and the way some do things is even enough to get your temperature rising in that hot weather
Have you heard of work and happiness before? This simply means We enjoy doing the tasks assigned to us. We feel right about the people we are working with. We are happy with the financial benefits we get from the job. We have the scope of improving our existing skills... what’s are the working conditions of the average Ghanaian? If the employer pretend to be paying the employees, the employees will also pretend to working.
There are established fashion houses ( Okujeto, for instance) in Ghana who have been in business for over 30 plus years. It will be a good plan to learn from them .
Hm, that’s if they let you learn from them without hesitation.
You need to Plan very well before moving to Ghana. Going on holidays is different from living there.
Heading to Ghana in April to visit. Super excited. #AfricaIsTheFuture
I wish Ghana leaders and the wealthy Ghanaians are looking at the program
Often we hear from the leaders they are looking for investors, some talk about diaspora home coming yet they don't seems look at the environment which is the core of both investors & diaspora home coming
This lady no matter how difficulties she went through she is determined to come back to Ghana not that the environment is improved they are the potential investors not those who will destroy Ghanaian environment avoid taxes and depart with huge lootings
I want any leader to pay much attention here
Those leaders don't have time for social media like this because they're busy feeling their pockets and stealing from the country's coffers. They're thieves especially the current government. Their president even using government money to build a christian cathedral in the 21st century because some goddamn god from somewhere told him in his dream to build that thing when the country has massive debts , and crumbling infrastructure. They talk about investors so they can get their back kick.
Moving back to Ghana at this time to me is not advisable. The whole system is a mess. Exchange rate fluctuating on a daily basis, expensive accommodation and so on. I’d advise you hold on till when things cool off a bit. I been here for four years and so far so good but this year is a really shaky one.
very INSTRUCTIVE video for anyone who wants to move to Ghana. you have an idea but do you have a plan? lessons for all.
I can totally relate to your experience. I’ve tried too. I’m leaving and going back to France this week. My African dream is on a hold for now, I’m not giving up tho. Might try in few years. I had a solid plan, still, it didn’t work out. In my case I’m not even from Ghana originally which make it on a whole other level. Anyways see ya in few years maybe 🧘🏾♂️
Fatimate je suis au Ghana aussi et j'essaie également. Es tu rentrée en France ? Des conseilles?
All will work out in the future. Keep your optimistic outlook.
@@pripriakua2341 Oh wow j’avais pas vu ce message. Je suis rentrée en France. Ça se passe bien pour toi?
I am Nigerian. A few years ago, I tried to build a house *right there in my village* . Everything frustrating thing this woman described, is doubled in Nigeria. I gave up on my dream, and took an unfortunate $25K loss.
You live and you learn. She was young at that time. Having a plan does not always guarantee success but better than no plan. That whole moving back to Ghana 🇬🇭 is so hyped up in my opinion especially for someone in your working years (and if you have children to raise schools in Ghana are too expensive ) unless you are retired. Moving back to Ghana to start a business may for work for some but is definitely not for everyone. Love❤️💕from the US🇺🇸
Could’ve agree with you more Ella!
I don’t think it’s hype, America is the land of opportunity, yet many, many people fail in America and others make it after just a few years in the US. African countries have tremendous opportunities for those with an entrepreneurial bent especially in education, healthcare, IT, tourism, housing, agriculture. Planning, tenacity and immersing yourself in the local culture is the first step to success.
The key is to engage in businesses where you do not need employees in the beginning.
LMAO. This is funny..... My fellows from diaspora, please, please.......have a plan before moving to my beloved Africa. Thank you
Don’t be bothered by those who do know your pains and struggles, that country is not fit for everyone .I left and don’t think will return to Gh any soon. They will promise you job, when you arrive it is a different story. It may work for some and not others, live your reality
That's life. Has nothing to do with the country. Even in the best country people fail
Interesting interview, you are not a failure except you accept it; life is all about experiences and learning from mistakes, correcting and moving on. Relocation is not an easy task and it is more or less 80% mental and 20% physical and that is why it is important to understand the workings of the mind.
Wonderful conversation ❤️. Understanding the culture of the people is so important to living in Ghana. Otherwise you will be frustrated every day. Even though I grew up in Ghana and left when in my 20s I feel the same and have to continually remind myself when I go back.🤣🤣
Thankyou💯👏🏿
Your experience sounds typical to customer care in Uganda. When you move to Africa you need to prepare yourself mentally otherwise you run crazy. Very interesting story, thank you 😊
I am excited about the books. I believe this time round she will be a success.
Thankyou for your kind words👏🏿❤
The best thing is to build your own home in Ghana....my dad is doing that right now for me and my brother so we have a place in the future when he is no longer here.
My uncle built a house in Kumasi. He spends half the year in Ghana and Canada.
Vanessa is so pretty..🥰.
Lucky you. My dad did nothing of the sort for me. I bought and built my own houses bro. Specifically, I returned back home to Ghana in 2012, after living in the States for approximately 30 years. I bought my first house in 2014 and built my dream house, which was completed 2020.
@@denniscasely-hayford3245
I wish I was in Ghana right now.
Last time I was there was in 2019.
Second time back since immigrating to Canada as a young kid and I didn't want to come back.
My cousin asked me why I would choose Ghana to live over other places...I told him you don't understand until the plane lands.
Just being around people who look like you does something to your mind and Seoul.
@@kofow483 My dream house which I built. Only thing left is to paint the outside.
th-cam.com/video/mLKvgUJjwnY/w-d-xo.html
Any honest builders you can recommend?
@@ettyhill1280 Following for info, great question!!!💯
Refreshing guest/cousin. she is honest about the part she played in her story and also identified the lessons she has learned. I think she said it best, I think her next go around will succeed. Love this honest conversation.....
8:32 I know this feeling. I had cried too.
🤓 The last time I was in Ghana was Dec 1993. I was a teenager returning after 6yrs away - and I cried. I haven't been back since. But I love watching & appreciate my fellow Ghanaians on TH-cam 🇬🇭💞🙏🏾
Oh my goodness Jody... you are speaking my language! Thank you for keeping it real!
Great interview/ conversation Venessa 👏🏽 👌🏽
She mistaken , to join nightclub,
Im proud of her for taking the risk. That's big & brave!
Her story about withdrawing money from the bank made remember how I was thrown out of Ecobank at Tudu branch years ago. I had queue for almost an hour to withdraw money when it got to my turn the cashier behind the counter closed the cubicle and start eating kenkey right before my eyes without any explanation. When I questioned her out of frustration, she called the security to throw me out. I can't remember how I got home that day because I had ran out of money.
wow. hmmm
Wow, they are worst than in the Caribbean. I can't see this particular incidence happening at a bank. You would get fired.
Its all about having a plan and working on passive income whiles looking for short term active imcome
Absolutely love the honesty in your reflection and lessons learnt. You shared some insight into what it entails to set up a business in Ghana and also the background work/preparations that needs to happen prior 👏🏽 👏🏽
Thankyou👏🏿
Very refreshing to watch this conversation, there's so much truth in what she's saying, mindset is key...We need to be risk takers and celebrate and learn from those who pave a path. 12 years and ready to come back #WooHoo.Keeping it real, the ATM one even now is a real battle for us, having money in your account yet not being able to access it is still an interesting experience.
Enjoyed your conversation... at least she tried... and now she has more knowledge ☮
Come back to Britain my sister its fun here petrol is now £1.69 / litre
Love this interview, VERY real and good information, thank you guy's!❤️
This guest is so smart...Thanks for interviewing her....I wish you success with your channel🙏👍
If you don't humble yourself life will humble you. Africa is so much beautiful.
I enjoy listening to this woman speak.
I would like to say a big Thank You! for your honesty. It's refreshing to hear it like it is. 🙏
Thankyou 👏🏿
Black folks from the diaspora need greater business sensitivity and keenness of the African environment. She is coming to set up her fashion business idea. No, no , no. Cause you have no clue of the environmental factors. Fix local existing business problems, and in her case, open a work ethic company. This is to train locals on importance of a great work ethic etc. That is, work from inside out! Do better what is already going on! Great interview Vanessa.
We shall overcome. Just believe and have faith. Put your trust in the Supreme Being and He will direct your path. Realize that others are making it. Good job Vanessa. 🙌👍
Sister, you said, coming to Ghana without a real plan, CANNOT work!!
(thanks for that lesson). Best Regards
Wow 🤩 Beautiful backdrop Vanessa , great interview ❤️ Such a professional job of it. 😃👍 full of information from a firsthand perspective. Thank you 🙏 cheers 🥂❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥
Thank you Vanessa for this very insightful video! My husband is Ghanaian and we are currently contemplating about when and how to make our transition to Ghana (currently staying in Belgium). Working in the development sector and having seen the huge opportunities in Ghana, I have the strong urge to establish a social business and have a real impact. Also, our 2 year old son is called Jojo and when I saw the book of Jodi it made me so happy I immediately ordered it!
Ghana is the best place to establish business
A very reflective lady, I love her deductions❤
Thankyou 👏🏿
If countries like Ghana want the majority of the African diaspora to return, its the small things and mindset has got to change. The diaspora needs to do thorough research and plan on what areas need to change before moving there.
Man, we have our “Ghana man time” We don’t use the Greenwich Mean Time. The British one brings so much stress on the body
Lovely. My friend Theadora in Leeds is from Ghana. I love the textiles of Ghana ,so rich with Kente and adinka . Really informative for all. Thanks.
Vanessa this is another really good video. 😀😀🙏🏿🙏🏿
Congratulations my dear. This direction is great. I was thinking another house again. But now we are seeing content about the real Ghana as in what is really going on. 😀😀 very nice.
Loved the video, your couzin seems very nice 😊
Thankyou 👏🏿❤
excellent interview. Good lessons learned.
This lady gives a fantastic and ACCURATE account of how things TRULY are in Ghana for most hoping to move and build up a something helpful long term to the economy and for the locals. After all that frustration it's a miracle she looks so well. Wishing her success and that she gets to realise her full potential in her skill
The biggest mistakes a lot of repatriated brothers and sisters from the diaspora make moving to Africa is they do not seek to buy their own land and build on it and those who do by land by customary land that they do not legally own and will not get a title or deed but the right to abode which is not something that will ensure that you will remain on that land if another travel Chief come and once you off that land Kenya is one of the places where you can buy land and be a foreigner without having to own a business and have someone of that country have 75% shareholders in that business. I have seen stories like this many times and many times over a lot of brothers and sisters from the diaspora go to Africa and rent properties instead of buying their own land stay on land where they have a 99 year lease without starting a business in the country first then by the land and putting their land under the business making sure that you have legal documents to ensure your Land from your business partner that's very important because some people are not trustworthy especially when they see us coming from America or from the Western hemisphere,also a lot about brothers and sisters don't know if you do your DNA which most of us will match up with Sierra Leone with the lemba tribe Bantu Nigeria's Igbo or ebo tribe Sierra Leone will give you citizenship if you can prove your DNA comes from there so there's a lot of research and I know this is a lot of single African he break is like sisters going to Africa by themselves and they're the main ones I see rushing back to America or the Western hemisphere because of income you got to do your research you can't just leave somewhere because you got it in your head to find yourself or you got to go on a journey to find yourself I see that's a lot of what these sisters do and this is the reason why they rushing back to their countries where they were born you should never want to go to a country and become dependent on their system you supposed to go to a country and help build up their economy and only way you could do that is being self-sufficient independent living off-grade on your own land building Eco restoration villages communities that will thrive community that our self-sustaining meaning you grow your own food you produce everything that you need and you teach the people those same skills but if you're going there looking for jobs then you're going to fall flat on your face if you're going there to rent or buy a house you're going to follow family on your face because it's not like the Western hemisphere unless you have a business that the people will patronize because they need your services then you're only best bet is to get land and to know how to live off of it without any thing outside of it off-grid living
Do research on title deeds just discovered that traditional land is better.
@@MC_TravelAdventures traditional land would be better if it's offered in the land that you're living in most countries in Africa they either got state owned land customary land or traditional land some only have the two stay on and customary lot of countries are doing away with the traditional land I would have opt for the traditional land myself if I could but the country that I own land in no longer offer traditional land just state ownd and customary.
@@MC_TravelAdventures For sure. Never buy land from a chief! Never! Family land only.
Punctuation, bro
@@ChineduOpara No need for punctuation I'm not writing I'm speaking into my phone and if you have a hard time deciphering what's being spoken then maybe the information isn't for you maybe it's not for your comprehension keep in mind I'm not a European I don't speak like Europeans nor do I take pride in their language knowing their culture so my ancestors didn't use it and neither do I unless I actually have to.
Vanessa, good interview. I still did not get the business plan but, she is passionate and willing to take risks. Watching from the USA.
Honest telling of her experience.
This is a great video. As I consider a transition to Ghana, it will likely be 6 months on and 6 months off working remotely at my current job to ensure stability. There's a lot to learn about the culture and starting a business there and i'd like to take my time.
That sounds like the best approach to take. I have family in Ghana and have visited twice but would also like to live there one day and am in the process of planning for that too.
A real business educación comes from failures. She will probably have more failures before she comes successful . But she seems like a girl that has a drive and she not someone to give up. I’m happy for her
Great idea, but an idea without a plan leads to failure. Congratulations for the come back.
Nice to hear the advice of your family members who have so. Much experience on the continent.
My take away, whether single or married is to: pray first, research, Research, RESEARCH, then plan, Plan, PLAN, and save, Save, SAVE!!! Bet!💯👌🏽😊
Really appreciated this video. A lot to reflect on 👍🏾👏🏾🙌🏾
What a great story! Wishing you and your family the very best 👍🏻
Doing business in Ghana is a challenge. The fact that so many do not have customer service skills, critical thinking or a sense of urgency is pretty sad. Ive been running my business out of Ghana for 2.5 years & sometimes, I really thinkIm crazy dealing with some of the issues.
Will definitely buy copies of this picture book when it comes on Amazon.
@asantewaa thankyou so much. It is available on Amazon and you can also purchased a signed copy through my site linked above❤👏🏿
Some try and fail, but at least they tried. They the more courageous. Some talk and dream ad do nothing. Bravo, by trying, you have already succeeded. As you said, it is a part you had take to be where you are now. Vanessa too. i am still dreaming of coming, gathering energy and €s
Strong women, you will succeed. You only fail when you give up. Keep going. Namaste
All of you have special voice guys that is good for good for gospel music 😂😂😂
Thats amazing knowing the ups and down of things in the end everything workd out to your advantage.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Jodi sounds like a heroine already. She is going to be successful.
I just ordered the book, it comes tomorrow. You got to love Amazon
Thanks so much for the support❤
@@jodibarima5318 The book is amazing, I love it and can't wait to read it to my students. The coconut seller made me smile. Well done sista.
@@kiacollier2 amazing, glad you loved it. I hope they do too. We would be greatful if you could leave a review on Amazon when possible 👏🏿❤
Great job African to the world ❤❤❤❤👍👍
I had a similar situation in 2018 but my situation was more frustrating because I was in Canada and I was trying to work with these people in Ghana ……. When he quit he didn’t even have the decency to tell me, I kept calling and calling no answer, it was crazy…. It’s been 4 years and I’m still recuperating to come back and do it myself.
I came from Canada like 4 years ago and still in Ghana. I’m being able to accomplish what I came here for which is setting up my own business. Trust me, what’s kept me going for this long is me doing it by myself. It’s extremely tiring but if you don’t do it yourself and depend on your workers and what not you’re gonna keep running back. The people here don’t care.
I live in Canada and I have a struggling business in the Volta Region. I'm now entering year two of my business and I've learnt to spend money and get things done myself while visiting the country instead of sending the money. My business partner takes 2-3 month to get things done although he does a good job, but it can be frustrating especially when money doesn't come easy. I'm hoping to travel at some point this year or the next.
@@MrAdonke I’m currently in Ghana to do it myself.
Thank goodness I'm glad it's better for her. 💆🏾♂️
A very interesting video. I wish you the best of luck in your new venture.
Keep up he positive spirit...
Very informative video 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I was going to move to Ghana two years ago but these simple frustrations made me rethink a lot and maybe i'll save my move for later when the country has it's sh*t more together.
The plan is organization 🔥
Thanks for being real people need to hear this
Sometimes when I read comments from all sides either western born Africans or Africans migrants then I shook my head because so many complaining complaining and complaining behind their phones and computers but they've have absolutely no solution or innovation knowhows to solve the problems... Well enjoy already built country and do the complains with your only 2 hours sleeping time.... anyway three young Ghanaians has died in their rooms in UK... tiredness, unhappiness and unhealthy foods cause It....
Woh .I am so enthused about your brilliance and braveness ,keep it up.we are hopefully going to follow in suite.All the best thank you and God bless you.
Ghana is expensive. you guys there need to be careful because the greed is driving up the prices - that will have a negative effect on your country in the future.
Vanessa in your family,,you all have very beautiful charming eyes.
Brilliant testimony!
Thankyou 👏🏿
Am glad she admitted she didnt study the business culture well enough. My advice to the rest is that when you come to Ghana dont think because you lived in a first world country you are superior or intelligent enough to do business here your way, things work differently here.
Why are you accepting this horrible attitude? She didn't say she was superior, Ghanaians work ethics is horrible and unless we change we doomed.
I'm tired of hearing people say, _"Things work differently here"_ , when they really mean, _"Things _*_don't_*_ work here"_
Note to people there, for money transactions, use MTN also called mobile money. electronic transfer that happens with mobile numbers. getting physical cash is not wise you will pay to get your money.
I am African -American woman married to a Ghanaian ,we were in Ghana for only a week from the U S with my husband and our two kids and we went to restaurant for breakfast and all of us ordered simple cheese omelette and they served us eggs and bread and we told them we ordered cheese omelette and we wanted cheese and not bread and to our surprise they told us it’s good to eat eggs and bread and not cheese .so we decided to leave but we still paid them and since then I have never gone back to Ghana ,my girls are now out of college and working so it’s been a while
Oh my goodness 😳
You are very funny 🤣 did you come to Ghana because of that restaurant? So because of that you refuse to come back? Really?😂
I don't know about "cancelling" a country because one restaurant did not serve you what you ordered.
However, I think it is common decency to let a customer know that what they've ordered is not available, not bring them something they didn't order AND school them on "what's good for them" instead of taking responsibility and accepting fault. That's horrible!
@@animiimi4645 The thing is the woman was so rude and even insulted us saying we should go back to America and I asked myself where is customer service
@@sarahdompim2254 Ah! I see. Terrible customer service! That's unacceptable.
Love this video and how she explained her adventures so far. All the best on your return to Ghana 🇬🇭. No giving up because dreams do come true. On the merry-go-round of life we go through so much learning on how to get up after being knocked down. But get up we must and keep moving along so fun! Peace!
Madam - please don’t beat yourself up. We are proud of you. These people with big businesses - they all failed initially - why? Because even people that went to Harvard do not have a clue what they are doing when it comes to business because there are just so many hats to wear at the start.
What is important is that you have the talent. I have spent 20 years working for the biggest multinationals in the U.K. and the social enterprise that I setup here has only started to realise it’s full potential.
So the way is start - fail - learn - regroup - restart.
It’s also a good idea to speak to people that came before us.
Blessings.
Hi thank you for discussing this, I was going to come to Ghana to live but I keep hearing these kind of stories and it really did put me off. I will still be visiting and coming on holiday but I won’t be living there. From what people saying every time you do something somebody wants some sort of extra payment. No I can’t live like that. But thanks for sharing Some very useful information.
Your cousin is too cool! Thanks for sharing.
AKWABA KAMB, HOW ARE YOU DOYING. HALLO COUSINE NICE TO SEE YOU.
Beautiful!! I love real stories like these. Stories that show all sides.
Am really happy you are showing all sides 👌well done 💞
Good interview Vanessa and Jodi 👍🏾
This was so interesting. I am glad that you highlighted some of the pitfalls to guard against. I also plan to come back. But I certainly will not be as sentimental as at earlier periods. Hope your 2nd coming is filled with success
Yeah! Children's book.