Tourism
Black Expats in Ghana: A New Wave of Diaspora Migration Is Shaping Lives
Ghana’s rise as a preferred destination for African diasporans continues to reshape both its tourism landscape and its global reputation.
A decade after the country launched the landmark “Year of Return” in 2019—a campaign inviting people of African descent to reconnect with their ancestral homeland—Ghana is still experiencing a steady influx of Black expats seeking healing, purpose, and a slower, more grounded way of life.
Reports say an estimated 1,500 Black Americans have relocated since 2020. And in late 2024, the government granted Ghanaian citizenship to more than 500 members of the diaspora, cementing the country’s role as a continental gateway for cultural reconnection.
For many, the draw goes beyond tourism. It’s a quest for belonging.
A New Life Through Food—and Citizenship
When Deijha Gordon left New York City in 2019, burnout had already taken a toll. The post office worker was longing for a change when a 2015 trip to Ghana opened her eyes to a different rhythm of life.
“When I first stepped off the plane, I was amazed by the welcoming atmosphere and culture,” she recalled.
Five years after immigration, Gordon—now a Ghanaian citizen—owns Deijha Vu’s Jerk Hut, a Jamaican food truck that has become a favorite among both locals and tourists. But the journey wasn’t easy. She poured her savings into building a restaurant before the pandemic stalled her progress. When the business faltered, she “had to go back to the drawing board,” ultimately restarting her dream with a food truck.
That decision changed everything. A surprise visit from celebrities including influencer Jessie Woo propelled her business forward—and today she’s planning to franchise, with potential expansion into Nigeria.
Gordon says Ghana forced her to unlearn the “constant pressure to have it all figured out.” What replaced it was a calmer, more communal lifestyle. “In Ghana, people want to help you, even with the little things. I had to learn to accept that.”
Healing in a Place Where “the Weight Falls Off”
For illustrator Nicole Updegraff, Ghana was less a fresh start and more a profound emotional reset. She moved to Accra in 2015 with her family after her husband took a U.S. Embassy assignment—and what she found fundamentally reshaped her understanding of freedom.
“When you grow up in the U.S., there is an armor you have to put on as a Black person,” she said. “Those feelings were gone in Ghana.”
Her years in Accra coincided with nationwide protests in the United States over the police killings of Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, and others. Watching the news from Ghana, she felt the magnitude of the contrast:
“Being there was more than relief; it was safety.”
Life wasn’t without its challenges—power outages, mosquito nets gone rogue, or adjusting to local rhythms—but she says the community made the transition bearable. A nanny, housekeeper, and gardener became “lifelines” who held her family together. “They became our family.”
Updegraff now lives back in the U.S., but says Ghana imprinted something permanent: “Ghana anchored me as a Black American. It made me feel like I always had a place to go home.”
Ghana as a Tourism and Cultural Haven
As tourism continues to rebound globally, Ghana stands out—not for luxury resorts or tropical beaches alone, but for its cultural gravity. For travelers of African descent seeking reconnection, the country offers more than sightseeing. It offers grounding.
Visitors today can explore everything from bustling markets in Accra to the somber historical sites along the Cape Coast. But increasingly, the country is attracting people interested in long-term stays, community, entrepreneurship, and spiritual restoration.
Advice for Would-Be Movers
Both expats share similar wisdom:
- Visit first—walk the markets, talk to locals, learn how the city hums.
- Manage expectations—Ghana is growing, evolving, and wonderfully imperfect.
- Be open-minded—especially if you’re coming from Western fast-paced cultures.
- Let go of hyper-independence—community support is woven into daily life.
“Don’t compare it to the places you’ve been,” Updegraff stressed. “That can be a recipe for disappointment.”
A New Kind of Homecoming
A decade after the Year of Return, Ghana’s call to the African diaspora remains strong. For some, the journey offers peace. For others, opportunity. And for many more, it offers the one thing they didn’t realize they were missing: a place that feels like home.
As Gordon put it, “I am not the same person I was a few years ago. Ghana changed my life tremendously.”
For the growing number of Black expats making the move—or dreaming of one—Ghana continues to promise not just travel, but transformation.
Editor’s note: This story has been culled from an article published on Travel Noire. Read the original article here.
Tourism
Mona Boyd: Meet the African American Entrepreneur Who Owns a 4-Star Luxury Resort Near Ghana’s ‘Door of No Return’
For more than three decades, African American entrepreneur Mona Boyd has called Ghana home.
Today, her latest venture, AnoMansa Beach Resort, a four-star luxury escape on the country’s historic coastline, is redefining what heritage tourism can look like near one of the most emotionally significant landmarks in the African diaspora.
Situated just six minutes from Elmina Castle and 30 minutes from Cape Coast Castle, sites deeply associated with the transatlantic slave trade, the resort stands as a modern counterpoint to a painful past — a place where healing, reflection, and high-end hospitality converge.
“When I stood on this land after the resort’s completion, I was quite emotional,” Boyd reflected. “Knowing that some of my ancestors may have passed through the ‘Door of No Return’ just six miles away, I felt that my family’s journey had come full circle.”
A Homecoming Wrapped in Luxury
AnoMansa Beach Resort offers 36 elegantly designed rooms, blending understated Ghanaian artistry with contemporary comforts. Each room overlooks the Atlantic, drawing guests into the peaceful rhythm of the coast.
With two gourmet restaurants, the resort elevates coastal dining through farm-to-table menus that celebrate fresh local ingredients — from seafood caught nearby to produce sourced from surrounding communities.
Guests gather at the bar and lounge, where live bands and traditional drumming ensembles heighten the ambiance, reminding visitors that the soul of Ghana is never far away.
A Sanctuary With Purpose
Boyd, who also owns Landtours Ghana, Avis Rent a Car, and Budget Rent a Car in Ghana, envisioned AnoMansa as more than a luxury retreat.
“My goal is for guests to leave feeling more centered, reconnected, and energized than when they arrived,” she tells Black Enterprise.
Wellness is central to the resort’s philosophy. Travelers can unwind with professional massages, join daily yoga and meditation sessions, or explore the coastline through guided hikes and water sports. Educational lectures and cultural performances round out the experience, offering opportunities to reflect on history while celebrating resilience.
A New Standard for Heritage Tourism
AnoMansa arrives at a time when Ghana continues to position itself as a global destination for African diaspora travel, especially after the success of its Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiatives. But the region around Cape Coast and Elmina has long lacked high-end accommodation that aligns with the emotional weight and global interest in its historical sites.
“AnoMansa Beach Resort fills a long-standing gap for travelers seeking a higher level of service, authenticity, and comfort in this historic region,” Boyd explained. “It’s where luxury meets purpose — where every guest becomes part of a story of renewal.”
As the sun dips behind the Atlantic, the resort stands not just as a business achievement, but as a symbol — a reminder that even in places marked by loss, new chapters of connection and renewal can flourish.
Taste GH
First-Ever Food Festival Hits Tema on December 27: A Celebration of Flavor, Culture and Community
Tema is gearing up for what organizers describe as the city’s biggest culinary event yet — the first-ever Tema Food Festival, set for 27 December at the TDC Club House in Community 6.
Billed as a high-energy mix of food, music, and culture, the festival aims to bring the entire city together for a December celebration that showcases Tema’s diverse flavors and the creativity of its food industry.
From seasoned chefs to beloved street-food vendors, grilled favorites to pastries and colourful drinks, organizers promise an experience designed for families, friends, and anyone looking for a memorable holiday hangout.
“This December, we’re bringing something big, something fresh — something Tema has never seen before,” organizers said, noting that the event is meant to spotlight local talent while positioning Tema as a culinary destination in its own right.
Beyond the food, attendees can expect live music, city-wide vibes, and a festive atmosphere that leans into community spirit.
Organizers say the festival is not only for food lovers but also for vendors hoping to expand their reach at a high-visibility end-of-year event. Additional sponsorship slots will be announced in the coming days.
With December already a peak season for large gatherings across Ghana, the Tema Food Festival is poised to carve out its own identity — blending the city’s industrial grit with its growing cultural scene, and giving residents a fresh way to celebrate the holidays.
Ghana News
Ghana Offers Free Visas for 2025 Diaspora Summit as Accra Prepares to Host Global African Community
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially announced that participants attending the upcoming Diaspora Summit 2025 in Accra will receive free visas.
The government of Ghana describes the gesture as an act of Pan-African solidarity aimed at strengthening global connections among Africans and people of African descent.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Ministry urged all prospective attendees to visit the nearest Ghanaian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate to obtain their complimentary visa before traveling.
The summit, scheduled for December 19 to 20, 2025 at the Accra International Conference Center, is expected to bring together thinkers, investors, activists, policymakers, and cultural leaders from across the continent and the diaspora.
Officials say the initiative aligns with Ghana’s long-running effort to position itself as a hub for diaspora engagement — a strategy that gained global visibility during the Year of Return (2019) and has since expanded to more ambitious programs.
“This gesture… is being extended in the spirit of Pan Africanism to allow Africans and people of African descent to participate in the Summit aimed at fostering cooperation and forging enduring partnerships,” the statement noted.
Registration Deadline Approaching
Interested participants must register online via diasporasummitghana.org by Monday, 8 December 2025. The Ministry is encouraging early processing through Ghana Missions abroad to avoid delays.
Countries Not Requiring Visas
The Ministry also reminded travelers that nationals of several countries already enjoy visa-free entry under reciprocal agreements. These include:
- All passport holders from:
- Barbados,
- Bahamas,
- Dominica,
- Mauritius,
- Seychelles,
- South Africa,
- Kenya,
- Lesotho,
- Eswatini,
- Mozambique,
- Tanzania,
- Trinidad & Tobago,
- Singapore,
- São Tomé and Príncipe,
- Uganda,
- Zimbabwe,
- Jamaica,
- Rwanda,
- Morocco,
- Guyana,
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
- Malawi, and
- Grenada;
- Diplomatic, Official, and Service passport holders from:
- Brazil,
- Colombia,
- China,
- Cuba,
- Germany,
- Sudan,
- Türkiye,
- Namibia,
- Hungary,
- Iran,
- India,
- Equatorial Guinea,
- St. Kitts and Nevis,
- Suriname,
- Venezuela,
- Malta, and,
- The United Arab Emirates.
The Ministry said it looks forward to welcoming delegates to Accra, adding that inquiries may be directed to its official channels or hotline numbers.
“Join the Diaspora Summit 2025 to connect with global Ghanaian and Pan-African leaders, gain insights from inspiring speakers, explore investment opportunities, and actively contribute to shaping Ghana’s future with the diaspora as a strategic partner,” organizers urge on the summit’s website.
For Ghana, the summit is more than a conference; it is a strategic move to deepen diaspora ties at a moment when global African identity, investment, and cultural influence continue to expand.
The free-visa policy signals the country’s commitment to lowering barriers and encouraging collaboration — a message that resonates strongly with diaspora communities long calling for meaningful reconnection with the continent.
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