For many in the global African diaspora, the dream of returning to the continent often comes with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and unspoken fears.

But for Jaleah Jenneth (@wholeharmonyhealing), a Ghanaian-born woman who spent nearly 20 years in Gary, Indiana, before repatriating, the reality unfolding in her first week back has been unexpectedly grounding: a deep, baseline peace she says no one fully prepared her for.

In a heartfelt Instagram video posted on her Day 6 in Ghana, Jaleah opens up about the profound shift she’s experiencing — not in perfection or constant ease, but in a quiet, foundational calm that now lives beneath everything.

“Nobody told me how peace becomes your baseline,” she shares. “Not perfection. Not ease all the time. But a grounded peace that lives underneath everything.”

Breathing deeply against the backdrop of children playing in the distance, Jaleah describes a noticeable physical and emotional release:

“I’m breathing different, feeling different and I’m loving it… My shoulders are starting to relax. Like I can take a deep breath.” She contrasts this with the shallow breathing and constant tension many carry in the West, calling the difference “unexplainable.”

Born in Gary, Indiana, and having lived in the United States for most of her life, Jaleah has visited Ghana several times before. Yet, settling in full-time has revealed a new layer of serenity — one that transcends the hustle, competition, and pressure to prove oneself.

“Here, if you know, you know,” she says. “There’s no need to compete or try to prove anything.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jaleaa Jenneth (@wholeharmonyhealing)

Her message is consistent with the growing diaspora community — both those already living in Ghana and those still planning their move. Many returnees and expats quietly share similar experiences: the initial culture shock often gives way to a surprising sense of relief, safety, and emotional spaciousness once the adjustment settles.

Jaleah’s video arrives at a time when Ghana continues to attract thousands of diaspora individuals seeking not just economic opportunity, but also cultural reconnection, spiritual grounding, and a slower, more community-centered way of life.

Her candid reflection serves as both encouragement and gentle preparation: peace is available — but it requires presence, patience, and a willingness to let go of old patterns.

“I’m here for it,” she concludes with a smile. “Follow along the journey.”

For the diaspora community home and abroad — from the U.S., UK, Canada, Europe, and beyond — Jaleah’s words are a reminder that repatriation is not just about logistics or lifestyle; it’s about rediscovering a deeper sense of belonging and calm that many never knew they were missing.

Watch the full video here: Jaleah Jenneth – Day 6 in Ghana

For the growing number of diaspora returnees, expats, and prospective movers considering Ghana in 2026, a new YouTube video is going viral.

The video is offering an unflinching, no-filter look at the true cost of living in Accra — and why so many newcomers experience financial shock after arrival.

In her candid 13-minute video titled “Cost of Living in Accra 2026 — The Hard Truth No One Tells You”, content creator Obinjeo Talk (@ObinjeoTalk) breaks down the financial realities that often catch even the most prepared diasporans off guard.

Far from discouraging relocation, the video aims to equip viewers with realistic numbers, practical survival strategies, and mental preparation so they can thrive — not just survive — in Ghana’s capital.

“This is not to scare you — it’s to prepare you,” Obinjeo emphasizes early in the video. “Accra can be beautiful, peaceful, and full of opportunity… but only if you understand the true cost of life here.”

Key areas highlighted in the video include:

• Rent & Housing: Prices have become highly competitive and unpredictable. New tenants often pay significantly more than previous ones, and landlords frequently charge premium rates based on perceived foreign status or accents. Online listings can be misleading, with many properties shown in flattering lighting but revealing issues like poor maintenance, unreliable water/electricity, and limited security upon arrival.
• Food & Eating Out: Market prices have risen sharply due to transportation and supply chain costs. A simple plate of food that once cost GH¢25 now often ranges from GH¢60–80. “Food fatigue” — the boredom of cooking daily — pushes many toward frequent eating out, quickly draining budgets.
• Transportation: Ride-hailing apps are far more expensive than expected, especially with surge pricing and long distances. Buying a used car sounds practical, but frequent repairs and maintenance costs can become a major burden.
• School Fees: Diaspora parents expecting affordable private education are often shocked by the high costs of top-tier schools, uniforms, books, and meals. Annual increases are common, and families with multiple children face multiplied expenses.
• Lifestyle Creep & Hidden Costs: From imported groceries and air conditioning bills to constant social obligations (weddings, funerals, fundraisers), cultural expectations and the need for backup solutions (inverters, generators, water pumps) create a web of ongoing expenses. “Ghana spends your money even if you try to sit quietly at home,” Obinjeo notes.

The creator stresses that living in Accra is not cheaper than abroad — it is simply different. While some costs (e.g., heating, mortgages) are lower, others (rent upfront, transportation, schooling, utilities, and backup systems) are significantly higher. Many returnees leave not because they dislike Ghana, but because “the mathematics finally catches up with them.”

Despite the challenges, the message remains hopeful:

“If you understand the system, plan ahead, and adjust your expectations, Accra becomes manageable. It becomes beautiful and deeply rewarding.”

Obinjeo offers practical advice for success: budget in dollars if earning abroad, diversify income streams, live outside trendy zones, negotiate boldly, drop the need to appear successful immediately, and resist the Instagram version of life in Ghana.

For anyone considering a move to Ghana — whether from the US, UK, Canada, Europe, or elsewhere — this video serves as essential preparation, reminding viewers that clarity and realism are the keys to building a fulfilling life in Accra.

Watch the full video here: Cost of Living in Accra 2026 — The Hard Truth No One Tells You

A heartfelt reflection by a United States–based podcaster on her recent visit to Ghana is reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a place of cultural reconnection for people of African descent.

In a video shared by the popular Facebook page Ghana Is Beautiful, Monica, host of the Monica Podcast, described her return from Ghana as “emotional and transformational,” saying the experience challenged long-held perceptions shaped by life in the United States.

“What I experienced there was a connectedness — a current of connectedness,” she said, recalling social interactions at events, clubs and public spaces.

According to Monica, everyday encounters in Ghana were marked by courtesy and mutual respect rather than tension or suspicion.

“At no time did another woman size me up. At no time did a man bump another man and fear it was about to be contentious,” she noted. “It was just vibes, music, conversation, beauty, business exchange and ideas.”

Beyond social interactions, Monica reflected on deeper historical and psychological divides between Africans on the continent and African Americans in the diaspora. She acknowledged that the legacy of displacement and trauma continues to shape behaviour and relationships abroad, but said experiencing Ghana firsthand forced a re-evaluation.

“To really get where we come from and what had to happen for us to be here, you can’t be the same,” she said. “You can’t carry the same contempt for your brother or sister.”

Her video is gaining traction on social media. Many commenters shared similar experiences after visiting Ghana and describing feelings of belonging, healing and renewed identity.

Over the past decade, Ghana has increasingly positioned itself as a gateway for diaspora engagement through initiatives such as the Year of Return and sustained cultural tourism efforts.

Analysts say such testimonials highlight Ghana’s expanding soft power influence — not only as a travel destination but as a space for dialogue, reconnection and cultural affirmation on the global stage.