Ghana News
Historical Diasporans Returning to Africa Warned Against Feeling ‘Superior’: ‘Come Home Humbly, Build Together’
In August 2020, as the world grappled with a pandemic and a long-overdue racial reckoning, a speech by Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao cut through the noise.
The message was for the African diaspora, and it remains urgently relevant today. Her words were a clarion call for return, but with a critical, non-negotiable condition: a radical shift in attitude.
As Ghana’s “Year of Return” momentum evolved into the “Beyond the Return” initiative, and as other African nations opened their doors, Dr. Chihombori-Quao, the former African Union Permanent Representative to the U.S., identified a silent threat to the homecoming dream: the ego of the returnee.
The ‘Been-To’ Mentality: A Barrier to Building
Dr. Chihombori-Quao didn’t mince words. She spoke directly to the experience of being a “been-to,” a term used in Ghana for someone who has “been to” the West.
“We go back home with an attitude. We think just because we’ve been to, we know more than the ones at home. That attitude has got to change,” she stated.
This mindset, she argued, is a primary reason why many returnees struggle to find their footing. It creates an invisible wall, fostering a dynamic of superiority that alienates the very people essential for collaboration.
Whether it’s a continental African returning from the diaspora or an African American settling on the continent, the pitfall is the same: arriving as a lecturer, not a learner.
“The diaspora doesn’t return to lecture. And the continent doesn’t wait to be saved,” her comments remind us. The assumption that Western exposure equates to superior knowledge is not only incorrect, but it also erases the deep, contextual expertise held by those who never left. As she put it plainly, “Africans have a lot to teach you too.”
Solidarity, Not Superiority: The Partnership Paradigm
The core of her message is a redefinition of the returnee’s role. It is not about a heroic figure arriving to “save” Africa, a narrative steeped in colonial tropes. Instead, it is about showing up as an equal partner. “Going ‘back home’ isn’t about superiority, it’s about solidarity,” the sentiment encapsulates.
This means approaching every interaction with humility. It means listening to local entrepreneurs, understanding community needs, and respecting established systems. A returnee’s international expertise in finance, technology, or healthcare is invaluable, but it only becomes powerful when it is applied in partnership with local knowledge. The goal is to co-create solutions, not impose imported ones.
The Urgency of Organisation: A Space to Fill
Dr. Chihombori-Quao’s 2020 address also carried a stark warning about the geopolitical and economic realities of a rising Africa. She recalled a moment when President Trump addressed African leaders, mocking the paradox of a resource-rich continent with widespread poverty. The punchline was a call to action: Africa is open for business, and if the diaspora does not organize, others will.
“If you don’t show up and you stand up and be counted, next time the contracts go to the Chinese, shut up,” she asserted. This frames diaspora engagement not as a charitable endeavour, but as a strategic imperative. It is about claiming a seat at the table as the continent charts its own developmental agenda—an agenda that envisions Africa as a unified market, not 54 fragmented nations.
For decades, other global powers have filled the space. The question she poses is whether the diaspora will remain a bystander or become a primary stakeholder in Africa’s future. “How do we give you contracts when we don’t know where you are? How do we know about your business when you don’t stand up?” she challenged.
Coming Home to Build Together
The ultimate takeaway from Dr. Chihombori-Quao’s enduring message is that the call to “come home” is profound, but the manner of arrival is what determines success. It is a call to come home and build together.
This means rejecting the labels of “been-to” and “local” that divide. It means exchanging condescension (looking down on local opinions) for contribution and pride for partnership.
The opportunity before the diaspora is immense. As Africa takes its place on the world stage, it invites its sons and daughters abroad to be part of the journey—not as saviours on a pedestal, but as humble collaborators in the trenches.
Because when we divide ourselves, as her words imply, we weaken the very future we claim to care about. And that is a risk the African renaissance cannot afford.
Ghana News
Fatal Fire on Accra-Tema Motorway, Private Awards for Ministers Trigger Backlash, Patients Stranded at KATH, and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
We have curated the most relevant stories in Ghana today, bringing you timely updates on key issues in the country wherever you may be. Stay tuned.
President Mahama Directs Appointees to Refrain from Awards by Doubtful Organizers
President John Dramani Mahama has directed all ministers of state, CEOs of state institutions, and other political appointees to refrain from participating in, sponsoring, endorsing, attending, or accepting awards from private organizations without express authorisation from the Office of the President. This follows concerns over the proliferation of awards from entities with unclear credentials, lacking transparent and verifiable criteria, which risk undermining public service integrity and exposing government to criticism. A recent example was the 6th Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Awards. The directive, issued via a letter dated June 8, 2026, by Secretary to the President Dr. Callistus Mahama, emphasizes performance assessment based on manifesto commitments, policy targets, and measurable outcomes rather than external recognitions. A comprehensive review of ministers and CEOs is planned to inform retention, reassignment, or restructuring. Public officials are urged to focus on service delivery and results for Ghanaians. Read the full story here
Patients Stranded at KATH as Doctors and Nurses Protest CEO Suspension
Hundreds of patients have been left stranded at the Out-Patient Department of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi as doctors and nurses refuse to attend new cases in protest against the two-week suspension of CEO Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo. The action stems from the Ministry of Health’s decision following the temporary closure of the Accident and Emergency Centre due to overcrowding. Health workers, backed by the Health Workers Union, argue the suspension was unjust as the decision was collective. The Ministry has appealed for staff to resume duties, warning of impacts on vulnerable patients, while investigations continue. Scenes of confusion and long waits have been reported at the facility. The standoff highlights ongoing operational pressures at Ghana’s major referral hospital, with calls for resolution to restore services. Read the full story here
Meet Edem Wosornu: Ghanaian Appointed UN Assistant High Commissioner for Protection
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ghanaian Edem Wosornu as Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the UNHCR, succeeding Ruvendrini Menikdiwela of Sri Lanka. Currently Director of OCHA’s Crisis Response Division (appointed April 2023) and Chair of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Emergency Directors Group, Wosornu brings over 21 years of humanitarian experience. She previously held leadership roles in OCHA’s Humanitarian Sector Division and worked with UNHCR and in private legal practice in London. She holds advanced legal qualifications from UK institutions and speaks English and French. Her appointment highlights Ghanaian expertise on the global stage in humanitarian affairs. Read the full story here
Fuel Tanker-Tipper Truck Crash Sparks Fatal Fire on Accra-Tema Motorway
A collision between a fuel tanker and a tipper truck on the Accra-Tema Motorway early on June 9, 2026, triggered a major fire outbreak. The Ghana National Fire Service confirmed the blaze has been fully extinguished, with recovery operations and investigations ongoing at the scene.
The incident was described as fatal, though specific casualty details were not immediately released. Emergency responders worked to contain the fire and secure the busy motorway. Authorities are investigating the cause as motorists and commuters expressed concerns over safety on the critical route. Read the full story here
Mahama to Assess Ministers Ahead of Possible Reshuffle
President John Dramani Mahama is set to conduct a comprehensive performance review of ministers and CEOs of state institutions, with findings to guide retention, reassignment, or Cabinet restructuring. This ties into a directive barring public officials from questionable private awards, urging focus on policy delivery and measurable results. The review aligns with the 2024 NDC Manifesto and government development agenda. The move signals emphasis on accountability and effective governance. Read the full story here
Cedi Weakens Further Amid Second Quarter FX Demand Pressures
The Ghana cedi has continued depreciating against major currencies due to rising foreign exchange demand and corporate repatriation needs. In the interbank market, it traded at GHS 11.85/USD (from GHS 11.63), with similar losses against the pound and euro. Retail rates also rose, reflecting broader pressures despite Bank of Ghana interventions. Analysts expect further strain from Q2 profit outflows, though a $1.2 billion monthly FX support is anticipated. Global factors like high oil prices contribute to the bearish outlook. Read the full story here
Unchecked Development Driving Recurring Accra Floods – Prof. Chris Gordon
Environmental scientist Prof. Chris Gordon has attributed recurring floods in areas like Oyarifa to buildings in natural waterways and drainage paths, destroying vegetation and creating impervious surfaces. He described the incidents as predictable outcomes of rapid, unchecked urban development replacing farmlands and forests. Stricter planning enforcement and land-use management are needed to mitigate risks. “You cannot cheat nature,” he emphasised, calling for science-based approaches to urban planning. Read the full story here
Ghana News
Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.
















Ghana News
‘Once You Have Life, There Is Hope’: Ghana Demands Compensation for Citizens Hit by South Africa Attacks
Ghana’s government has launched a formal push for compensation on behalf of citizens evacuated from South Africa following deadly xenophobic attacks, with Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa urging returnees to meticulously document every lost property, business, and asset.
Addressing the second batch of evacuees on arrival in Accra on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Ablakwa made clear that the West African nation’s response would not end with evacuation.
“We are not only concerned about evacuating you, but we are concerned about your full integration,” he said. “The government of Ghana has decided that we are not going to sit back without any effort in attempting to secure compensation for those of you who have lost your properties, lost your assets, lost your businesses and your shops.”
The minister directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin assembling documentation and evidence to support a legal compensation case. He urged returnees to provide ownership documents, addresses, and any supporting records that could strengthen Ghana’s claim.
“Please make sure that you provide all the information that we require,” he said, noting that forms were already being circulated.
Ablakwa disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama had instructed him to petition the African Union over the matter and raise it at the next AU ministerial meeting.
“President Mahama is going to make a very strong case for you so that you will be compensated and justice will be done,” he stated.
While acknowledging the heavy losses suffered by some evacuees who had spent decades building businesses in South Africa, Ablakwa struck a tone of resilience:
“Yes, you have lost property, you have lost assets, you have left your businesses behind… but nothing comes anywhere near life. Once you have life, there is hope.”
Ghana acted swiftly to evacuate its citizens before the situation worsened, the minister said, adding that several other African countries had reported fatalities among their nationals during the unrest. Ghana’s evacuation strategy has since drawn interest from multiple African governments, with foreign ministers contacting Accra to learn from its operation.
Beyond compensation, Ablakwa announced that nearly 200 jobs had already been secured for returning Ghanaians through a government initiative involving local businesses. Companies including Engineers and Planners, AirtelTigo, and Telecel have responded positively, he said, with additional employers continuing to offer vacancies.
Reassuring evacuees of continued government support for reintegration, Ablakwa emphasized their value to Ghana’s economy, pointing to remittances from Ghanaians abroad, which reached a record US$7.8 billion last year, according to Bank of Ghana data.
“We value you because you have always contributed to this economy,” he said.
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