The Documentary Podcast

Has Ghana's ‘Year of Return’ been a success?

Aug 10, 2025
Roweena Jifa, a Ghanaian expatriate who returned home, shares her emotional journey of moving back to Ghana during the Year of Return. Kobby Mensah, chief executive of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, discusses the significant boost in tourism and local economy tied to this initiative, while also addressing concerns about rising costs affecting locals. They explore the cultural and economic impacts of the campaign, the struggles of adapting to life in Ghana, and the need for a balance between tourist growth and community preservation.
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INSIGHT

Year Of Return Reframed Ghana

  • The Year of Return drew tens of thousands and reframed Ghana as a destination for diaspora reconnection.
  • The campaign tied history to a forward-looking development narrative and invited settlement as well as tourism.
ANECDOTE

Jamaican‑American Sees Opportunity

  • Lakeshia Ford first visited Ghana as a Spelman College student and then returned to stay after her master's.
  • She felt culturally connected as a Jamaican woman and saw economic opportunity beyond Western narratives.
ANECDOTE

Crash‑Landing Return From The UK

  • Roweena Jifa uprooted her UK life during COVID and moved to Ghana with little support.
  • Her family reacted with concern, while she found Ghana offered lower barriers and room to build.
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