A Career in Ghana: When Expats Return Back Home

InterNations is the largest social network for expatriates worldwide. The 'invitation only community' facilitates life abroad and connects all 'global minds' in a network of personal trust. At monthly events and activities, over 900,000 members meet in over 360 cities worldwide to get to know other global minds. In forums and on discussion boards members exchange tips about living abroad. An editorial Country and City Guide provides expats with valuable information regarding their new place of residence.

In recent years, many expats have decided to repatriate to Ghana, to build a new life in their home country. For many of them, personal reasons play a big role in this, of course: families and friends they once left behind, home sickness, or the culture shock they could not quite cope with. However, many of them are also returning for financial or economic reasons.

Throughout the last quarter century, Ghana's economy has grown strongly and steadily, benefiting from a competitive business environment and a sound macro-economic management. At the end of the day, it was its abundance in natural resources, including oil, gold, and cocoa, that contributed significantly to the high GDP growth in recent years. Thus, Ghana has become one of the 23 African countries that have reached a middle-income status. The country has come a long way from the turbulent economic and political changes of the late 1950s.

Ghana offers a lot of amazing employment opportunities that have developed out of the economic upswing. Many markets are still largely 'untapped'. In this environment, repatriates will find that Ghana is the perfect place to go to broaden their professional horizon. Not only are there different economic branches, such as the financial sector, that have a lot to offer, repatriates also bring a lot to the table. The expertise and experience they gained abroad make them sought-after employees and successful entrepreneurs. On top of their professional qualifications, many of them have significantly improved their intercultural communication skills during their time abroad.

Many Ghanaian expats experience discrimination during their life abroad or quickly realize that they cannot reach the same professional success as their local counterparts. Upon their return to their home country, they often find the glass ceiling is now gone. Those who open their own business will also see new opportunities on the horizon. With the strong economy more people have some extra money to spend and an interest in spending it on locally produced goods and services.

Apart from the career opportunities many repatriates find upon their return, cultural factors also play a huge role. Ghana is famous for its multiculturalism. In the country, many different ethnicities and local tribes exist side by side, speaking their own language and following their own traditions. Unlike in many other countries, Ghana's ethnic groups have found their way to a peaceful co-existence. With over 70 languages spoken all over the country, many cultural festivities, not to mention the flavorful cuisine, Ghana offers a unique, vibrant atmosphere.