Tourism
‘Our Children Feel Seen Here’: Why More African-American Families Are Planting New Roots in Ghana
When Dr. Ashley Milton moved from Los Angeles to Accra, she expected the cultural adjustments, the weather, the bureaucratic hurdles. What she didn’t expect was how quickly her 11-year-old son would find a sense of belonging that had felt elusive back in the United States.
“He came home from school one day and said, ‘Mom, this is the first time I’ve ever felt normal,’” Milton recalls. “For a parent, that’s everything.”
Her family is one of more than 1,500 African-Americans who have resettled in Ghana since the government launched the Year of Return in 2019 — an invitation for members of the African diaspora to reconnect with the land their ancestors were taken from centuries ago. The campaign has since grown into a decade-long initiative known as Beyond the Return, focusing not only on tourism but on permanent relocation, investment, and cultural integration.
While the movement has been widely reported, much less is known about how children — the real test of whether a family can build a future somewhere — are experiencing life in Ghana.
‘They’re not the only Black kid in the room anymore’
Several parents interviewed in the BBC World Service documentary The Return say their children’s transformation has been the most powerful part of the relocation.
Morris Beers, who moved from California in 2020, describes his teenage daughter’s shift in confidence as “night and day.”
“In the U.S., she always felt like she had to shrink herself,” he said. “Here, she walks tall. She doesn’t feel like someone’s stereotype — she just feels like a kid.”
Parents consistently point to simple, everyday interactions that feel radically different from what their children were used to. School halls where Black students are the majority, classrooms where their hair, names, and skin aren’t topics of debate, and playgrounds where they aren’t racially profiled.
“One mom told me her son couldn’t believe that people here compliment his dreadlocks instead of policing them,” Milton said. “He said, ‘Mom, they think my hair is cool!’”
Healing history — and facing it
For many families, the decision to move wasn’t only about escaping racism abroad; it was about reclaiming a severed history.
At Cape Coast Castle — where millions of enslaved Africans were forced through the “Door of No Return” — African-American parents often say their children experience a powerful moment of clarity.
Milton remembers her son standing silently inside the slave dungeon during their visit.
“He said he felt the ancestors ‘searing’ into him,” she said. “He didn’t have the words for it, but he felt the weight and the connection.”

For families making the move, this history is not abstract. It informs everything from why they teach their children humility to why they insist they learn local languages.
Challenges — yes. Regrets — no.
Relocating to Ghana has not been without stress. Parents frequently mention inconsistent utilities, cultural gaps, and the need for patience.
But most say the benefits outweigh the hurdles.
“Every country has its issues,” one parent told the BBC. “But here, my children don’t walk around feeling targeted. They feel wanted.”
That sentiment echoes why many came in the first place. As Beers put it in the documentary:
“A man once told me, ‘If you love Africa so much, go live there.’ And I thought — maybe I should.”
A new generation of returnees
What began as a tourism campaign is quietly becoming a demographic shift, one shaped not only by adults seeking reconnection but by children who are discovering a new sense of identity — and in some cases, the freedom to just be themselves.
“They’re not weighed down by the noise,” Milton said. “For the first time, they’re just kids. And that’s why we stay.”
Sights and Sounds
From Fantasy Coffins to Sunset by the Sea: Exploring Accra’s Living Art Scene
The best way to understand Accra isn’t from behind the window of a tour bus. It is on foot, where every street, gallery and workshop reveals another layer of Ghana’s artistic identity.
An afternoon culture walk through the capital offers precisely that opportunity, bringing visitors face to face with traditions that continue to shape the country’s creative landscape.
The journey begins in the city’s thriving arts community, where contemporary galleries showcase paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works by Ghanaian and African artists. These spaces are more than exhibition venues.
They are meeting points for ideas, where established names and emerging talents challenge perceptions of African art while celebrating stories rooted in local experience.
One of the tour’s most memorable stops introduces visitors to one of Ghana’s most distinctive artistic traditions: fantasy coffins.
At first glance, the brightly coloured creations may seem surprising. Fashioned into forms ranging from fish and cocoa pods to cameras, aeroplanes and animals, they reflect the life, profession, achievements or aspirations of the deceased.
Originating among the Ga people of southern Ghana, fantasy coffins have become internationally recognised as remarkable examples of functional art.
They represent a cultural belief that death is not an ending but a continuation of life’s journey, where individuality deserves to be honoured with imagination and craftsmanship.
Today, these extraordinary works are admired in museums and exhibitions around the world while remaining deeply connected to the communities that created them.
As the walk continues, visitors gain an appreciation for Accra’s ability to blend tradition with modern creativity.
Murals brighten neighbourhood walls, independent studios nurture young designers and artists, and conversations with local guides provide context that cannot be found in travel brochures.
Every stop becomes an invitation to understand not only the artwork itself but also the people and cultural values behind it.
The experience concludes in a quieter setting beside the Atlantic Ocean. As the afternoon fades into evening, guests gather at a beach club to enjoy a locally inspired drink while watching the sun sink below the horizon.
The relaxed atmosphere offers time to reflect on the day’s discoveries, with the rhythm of the waves replacing the bustle of the city.
For international travellers, the culture walk presents an accessible introduction to Ghana beyond its famous landmarks.
Rather than focusing solely on monuments or museums, it celebrates creativity as a living, evolving part of everyday life.
In a city where art appears in galleries, workshops, public spaces and even funeral traditions, walking becomes more than a way to get around. It becomes a journey through the imagination, resilience and cultural richness that continue to define Accra.
Sights and Sounds
Above the Capital: Discovering Accra Through a Hot Air Balloon Adventure
Cities reveal their true character from the ground, but they tell an entirely different story from the sky.
Imagine watching the first rays of sunlight wash over Accra’s coastline, the city’s skyline gradually coming to life, while a colourful hot air balloon drifts quietly above it all.
It is a perspective few people have experienced—one that could redefine how visitors discover Ghana’s bustling capital.
Known for its energetic markets, lively beaches, historic landmarks and thriving arts scene, Accra has long attracted travellers seeking authentic West African experiences. Yet most adventures unfold at street level.
A hot air balloon tour introduces a fresh dimension, replacing traffic noise with silence and transforming familiar neighbourhoods into a sweeping landscape of colour, architecture and coastline.
Unlike helicopters or sightseeing planes, hot air balloons move gently with the wind, creating a calm and immersive journey. There is no rush from one attraction to another.
Instead, passengers are encouraged to slow down and appreciate the city’s geography, from the Atlantic shoreline stretching into the distance to the mosaic of homes, business districts, and green spaces that define modern Accra.
The experience also highlights how tourism continues to evolve in Ghana. Travellers increasingly seek memorable activities rather than simply checking landmarks off an itinerary.
Experiences that combine adventure, photography, and storytelling have become particularly attractive to younger visitors and international tourists looking for something distinctive.
Viewed from above, Accra reveals striking contrasts. Contemporary developments stand alongside historic communities, while busy roads weave towards the coast where fishing traditions continue much as they have for generations.
This aerial perspective offers more than beautiful scenery; it tells the story of a city balancing rapid growth with enduring cultural identity.
For photographers and content creators, a balloon flight provides an unrivalled canvas. The changing light, expansive horizons, and uninterrupted views create opportunities to capture images rarely seen in travel brochures. Every journey becomes unique, shaped by weather conditions, the direction of the wind, and the time of day.
As Ghana works to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations, experiences like hot air balloon tours reflect a growing emphasis on experiential travel.
Visitors are no longer satisfied with simply seeing a destination—they want to feel connected to it in unexpected ways.
Floating above Accra offers precisely that connection. It invites travellers to pause, look beyond the city’s busy rhythm and appreciate its beauty from an entirely new perspective.
Sometimes the best way to understand a place is not by walking its streets, but by quietly rising above them.
Taste GH
A Food Lover’s Guide to Ghana’s Best Street Eats
The quickest way to understand Ghana isn’t by visiting a museum—it’s by following the irresistible aroma drifting from a busy roadside food stall.
Across the country, street food is more than a convenient meal; it is a celebration of community, tradition and unforgettable flavours.
A perfect place to begin is waakye, Ghana’s famous combination of rice and beans cooked with sorghum leaves.
Served with spicy black pepper sauce, fried plantain, boiled eggs, spaghetti, gari and tender meat or fish, every plate offers a satisfying mix of textures and flavours that keeps people coming back for more.

Another favourite is kelewele, cubes of ripe plantain seasoned with ginger, garlic and chilli before being fried until caramelised.
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, its sweet-and-spicy aroma fills the evening streets, making it one of Ghana’s most-loved snacks. Plantains also provide fibre, potassium and vitamins that support overall health.

Meat lovers should not leave without tasting chichinga, Ghana’s version of grilled kebabs. Coated in a fragrant blend of spices and cooked over glowing charcoal, the smoky flavour is impossible to resist. It is a familiar sight at roadside grills, especially after sunset.
For breakfast, many Ghanaians turn to koko and koose.

The warm millet porridge, lightly spiced with ginger and cloves, pairs beautifully with crispy bean fritters, creating a nourishing meal rich in fibre and plant-based protein.
No street food adventure is complete without bofrot. These fluffy fried dough balls, lightly sweetened and golden brown, are enjoyed as a snack with tea or fresh fruit juice and are a favourite at family gatherings and neighbourhood bakeries.

From bustling city corners to small-town markets, Ghana’s street food tells stories of hospitality, heritage and everyday life.
Every bite offers visitors a delicious introduction to the country’s rich culinary identity.
-
Africa Watch1 day agoGhost Agency, Real Money: How a $1million ‘Non-Existent’ Gov’t Agency Made It Into Nigeria’s Budget
-
Fashion & Style1 day agoDenim Finds a New Identity as Miss Universe Uganda Turns Everyday Fabric Into Couture
-
Ghana News1 day agoFrom Floods to Action: Ghana’s President Unveils Monthly Cleanup Plan
-
Ghana News1 day agoWHO Hails Ghana’s New Heart Lab as Lifesaver in Battle Against Non-Communicable Diseases
-
Reels & Social Media Highlights15 hours agoClean-ups, Catchphrases, and Clergy Clashes: Inside Ghana’s Viral Weekend
-
Health & Wellness14 hours agoThe Health Advantage Most People Don’t Notice Until It’s Gone
-
Health & Wellness2 hours agoMiscarriage Myths Are Still Hurting Women—Here’s What Everyone Should Know
