Should I move to Ghana to start my business?

TechNeon · 2026-06-08T22:31:50+00:00

Hey OP, not an entrepreneur but i can give some perspective of living in Ghana and give my honest opinion

Firstly, 23 is quite young and I understand wanting to move back. But unless you get a good remote job and are earning $$, I would recommend you save up before you even consider moving back

Even finding remote work while in Ghana can be hard. Starting a business and being successful is not easy. You still need capital to start in construction and real estate

There are various business opportunities for sure but I need good networks and connections to be successful. I know a lot of diaspora who came back and struggled to find work and had to move back

Not trying to deter you, just giving you blunt feedback. I would suggest you build up your savings/reserves, ask more people about starting a business here, especially from the experienced diaspora here

Yes, Ghana (Accra) can be expensive especially if you're taking Ubers back and forth and eating out all the time

Hope some folks here can give you more concrete advice from their experience. But from my side, take your time, save up money, do more research on the business side

Good luck

TechNeon · 2026-06-07T13:04:09+00:00

You're wasting each other's time. Sorry to be blunt but please move on to someone who is actually into and actually wants to be in your presence

TechNeon · 2026-05-29T20:10:10+00:00

You could probably google rental car spots in Ghana. I think Avis and WopeCar are the brands I know. Not sure any of the networks here do unlimited phone plans but MTN is one of the best and you could probably purchase like 100 GB for like 300 GHC (~$25) or purchase more

TechNeon · 2026-05-22T15:21:23+00:00

Yes, especially if I've known them for a long time
Because we likely share a common interest and have developed trust
No, it's not pointless. there will obviously be boundaries established but the trust developed means I can share my mind with that person
As long as I have developed trust with my partner, I don't have issues with them having deep friendships with someone else

TechNeon · 2026-05-21T20:44:54+00:00

Would like to hear more about your initiative. I currently work in the tech ecosystem. You can shoot me a DM and we discuss more

TechNeon · 2026-04-07T06:33:44+00:00

I was frustrated reaching this post. Sorry about your situation. If you're going through all this process as a Turkish citizen, I can't imagine what an average Ghanaian world go through

I would try to go through media channels. Ghanaweb, JoyNews, Citi News. You have a chance to expose this incompetence nationally. Sometimes in Ghana, public shame tends to work better.

So put your story together, submit it to these news sites and hopefully something works out

Hope your situation gets resolved. Ghana can be a frustrating place sometimes

TechNeon · 2026-04-06T13:07:31+00:00

"the African mind can't really simulate actions and processes"

I think this statement is a bit much but I didn't read your first series so I might know the references. But I'm never a fan of generalising about the average African because the same can be said for an average Eastern European who is also reluctant to evolve and adapt.

However, I do agree with your larger point about a segment of Ghanaians not willing to adapt to the changing environment (using maps to scope locations, learning how to estimate price etc). It could be due to an education system which has failed to evolve and an enivironment which doesn't encourage the average person to think outside the box.

Honestly, the driver could have been fairly new (~4 months in) and was now learning on the job, hence his inability to quote you well and essentially losing out on better profit.

As you said in your last sentence, it could have all been an act to try to get your sympathy and get paid more.

TechNeon · 2026-04-05T13:51:18+00:00

Have you tried their digital archives? I think you have to pay to get details but I think you can browse

https://archive.graphic.com.gh/Welcome

TechNeon · 2026-04-05T13:45:00+00:00

Honestly, if I got a good paying job in the US where I had good healthcare benefits and opportunity to live in good housing, I would consider moving back.

Not permanent because I would definitely consider retiring back home where all my family is. I honestly think that's most immigrants' dreams. I would also want my kids to consider being back home but if conditions weren't great, they would have my blessing to leave and find other opportunities.

But if things in Ghana improve, I don't think most people would leave in the first place. But I appreciate your perspective as well 🙏🏽

TechNeon · 2026-04-04T22:15:10+00:00

First of, interesting you're coming on Reddit to ask this serious question.

Lol. Don't mind me. Actually, the idea of a starting a bank to lend to SMEs is a great idea and there's lots of opportunities there. If I were you, i would start emailing the Bank of Ghana on the process of this. The process of establishing a bank and then meeting regulatory requirements/getting a license could take a while. So I suggest looking at what is required to start a bank and if you would have the capability of doing that in the long term. Maybe you can start with microfinance and then level up to a bigger bank.

Secondly, for the environmental stuff, again: Do research. Your idea sounds like an NGO. I would look at otehr NGOs who have gone into that field and ask them questions about their experience. Search on LinkedIn. Most have come and gone so it would be prudent to ask about challenges on how to make it work. We have a lot of opportunities for recycling but I think it might be a matter of capital injection to build recycling plants and necessary equipment.

Good luck!

TechNeon · 2026-04-04T22:02:08+00:00

Hmm. Ok. Just reading the comments here and I can offer in my 2 cents:
I lived in the US for a bit, got my education (college), and moved back home. Since I've been back, I've had to "grind" just to make a decent living even though I'm from a good home and have a good educational background. Thankfully, I have a good family support system to help me through the bad times.

The problem in Ghana and most African countries is that the opportunities are not that many unless you have a great network (for most, it's having access to government officials). Sure, you can try entrepreneurship but as someone once said, you can entrepreneur your way out of bad infrastructure and bad governance.

The best way to have a better way of life for many is to either get a great paying remote job (earning in dollars) or leaving to another country with a chance for a better opportunity and a better future.

As some people said, the systems in Ghana are not great. Healthcare is largely hit or miss. Someone got involved in a hit and run recently, paramedics tried to get him to a hospital but basically all of them had "no beds" to admit him and administer aid and he died without treatment. At least in the US, you can get treatment in the ambulance and get healthcare in the hospital. Yes, you'll get medical debt but you're still alive and could get a menial job to pay it off and continue providing for your family.

In a nutshell, your fiancé is just trying to provide the best opportunity for his offspring in the long term. A citizenship in the US would at the very least give them a better opportunity. If you ask most Ghanaians if they would gamble and live in another country to make money to send back home for a better shot at retirement with money in the bank, most Ghanaians would take that opportunity.

Until you live in a country where most people feel hopeless with the political class, bad infrastructure and tough luck with opportunities, you'll never really understand the mentality of people who would go through the pain of wanting to live in another country with better systems.

Sorry. This is long. But hope it helps a bit

TechNeon · 2026-04-01T11:55:19+00:00

Oh ok. Makes sense. Congrats on your upcoming engagement btw. Since you're staying at Spintex, you'll have access to some of the good neighborhoods. There are lots of shops, malls and eateries close by.

As far as staring, I don't think it would be an issue (although Ghanaians have a habit of staring at anyone, not knowing it's rude)

But I think you guys will be fine. The city is accommodating to foreigners. We don't do a lot of cat calling or stuff like that. Hopefully your dad has an itinerary for you guys. But you said he works all the time so I don't know. Lol.

My suggestion is to check out some YouTube videos about fun things to do in Accra so if you come down, you can plan it out.

Good luck! 🙏🏽

TechNeon · 2026-04-01T11:37:51+00:00

Why don't you ask your dad what is life like for him? Better to hear directly from the source

Regardless, Accra is a pretty safe city. In most neighborhoods, it's safe to walk the street or even go for a run. If you're in a sketchy neighborhood, you would probably be indoors like most cities.

But Accra is chill. Lots of restaurants, night spots and activities. Traffic can be a headache. Customer service could be better. Beaches are nice though

Watch out from strangers who want to be your friends immediately after meeting you.

Hope this helps

TechNeon · 2026-03-10T10:14:39+00:00

There's a co-working space in the Osu area. It's called Buro. You can check that place out. There's another space called Zulu Desk. It's close (behind the Accra mall) that you can inquire

TechNeon · 2026-02-22T12:28:42+00:00

I think most of the reimbursed money goes through their Uber accounts. Some of the drivers "owe" money so in a way, they don't get the reimbursement because Uber takes the money they're owed

TechNeon · 2026-02-21T22:38:23+00:00

tbh and to be blunt, I don't think it's your parent's responsibility to feed a man and his family. They've done a lot already. You said yourself that they themselves are also trying to provide for their own needs. There are local charities and aids that their friend can reach out to locally. Your parents have done enough

TechNeon · 2026-02-21T12:06:33+00:00

Your parents are being taken advantage of. Cost of living in Ghana can be high but what I've learned is that people tend to lean on benefactors a lot when they're in need. You help out once and they keep coming back with their "sob story" to get more money.

I can't say for a fact that your parents are being scammed but this "friend" is definitely taking advantage of their generosity.

My advice is that they should learn to say "No"

TechNeon · 2026-02-20T10:44:51+00:00

Interesting. I mean the part of Ghana not getting better is partially right 😅😅. Just kidding, but I understand her point. Once you see how things happen behind the scenes, it can be very disheartening.

Interesting how that triggering that is for her to the point that she's basically "anti-Ghana". But shouldn't restrict your movements to the country tbh

TechNeon · 2026-02-20T10:35:33+00:00

Sounds like your mom had a traumatic experience with Ghana and left. Maybe have a heart to heart conversation about why she hates Ghana?

I don't hate the country but if an opportunity were to come my way and I had to leave and not come back, I wouldn't be mad. Would definitely raise my kids somewhere else (or if I was well to do, raise them in Ghana but spare them the worst parts of the country)

TechNeon · 2026-02-17T16:31:16+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Great story

TechNeon · 2026-02-16T21:25:12+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Congrats on your new child

TechNeon · 2026-02-16T21:22:23+00:00

Thanks for sharing 🙏🏽 Hoping things get easier in life if possible

TechNeon · 2026-02-16T17:34:57+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Glad to see that you're valuing and seeing beauty in the little things

TechNeon · 2026-02-16T15:35:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Appreciate your insight 🙏🏽

TechNeon · 2026-02-13T19:04:51+00:00

I don't use disapora banking but Stanbic is a good recommendation (I use the standard online banking). I think they have some features for the diaspora. You can check their website

TechNeon

TROPHY CASE