Moving Home
to Ghana
Hundreds of diaspora families are making the move. Akwaaba helps you plan the trip that decides everything — and every step after that.
Why Diaspora Are Choosing Ghana
The Year of Return opened a door. What’s happening now is a full movement — and it’s accelerating.
Cost of Living
A comfortable life in Accra’s best neighborhoods costs a fraction of New York or London. Hire full-time domestic help, eat out daily, and still spend less than back home. See the cost breakdown below.
English-Speaking Country
No language barrier. English is Ghana’s official language. Government services, schools, banking, healthcare — all operate in English. Legal and bureaucratic processes are accessible from day one.
Stable Democracy
Ghana has had peaceful transfers of power since 1992 — rare on the continent. The World Bank consistently ranks it among Africa’s safest and most business-friendly environments.
Thriving Returnee Community
East Legon and Airport Residential have large communities of returnees from the US, UK, and Caribbean. Facebook groups, WhatsApp networks, in-person meetups — you won’t be navigating this alone.
Wide-Open Business Landscape
Sectors saturated in the West are wide open in Ghana. Tech, real estate, food, healthcare, education, logistics — many returnees build their most successful ventures here. Access to the broader African market is a strategic advantage.
Legal Right to Stay
People of African descent can apply for Right of Abode — permanent residency status, the right to live and work in Ghana without restrictions, no employer sponsor needed. Full citizenship guide →
Accra vs. New York vs. London
The numbers that make returnees stop renting and start booking flights.
| Category | Accra (East Legon) | New York City | London |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR apartment (furnished) | $1,200–$1,800/mo | $4,500–$7,000/mo | £2,800–£4,500/mo |
| Full-time domestic help | $200–$400/mo | $3,500–$6,000/mo | £2,000–£4,000/mo |
| International school (annual) | $5,000–$22,000 | $35,000–$55,000 | £15,000–£30,000 |
| Restaurant meal (mid-range) | $8–$20 | $25–$60 | £18–£45 |
| Monthly groceries (family of 4) | $200–$400 | $700–$1,200 | £500–£900 |
| Private healthcare (GP visit) | $30–$80 | $200–$400 | £80–£200 |
Accra figures reflect East Legon/Airport Residential. Costs vary by neighborhood. International school range: IB/local private to US-curriculum schools.
Where Returnees Are Living in Accra
Each neighborhood has a different energy, price point, and community feel. Here’s the honest breakdown.
East Legon
Accra’s upscale suburb. International schools (Lincoln Community, GIS), great restaurants, mall access. Most diaspora returnees start here. Gated communities, security, reliable power generators.
Airport Residential
Central, leafy, close to Kotoka International. Popular with diplomats, NGO workers, and senior executives. Mix of older estates and modern apartments. Walkable to Ridge and Osu.
Cantonments
Embassy district. Gated compounds, quiet streets, high-end restaurants nearby. Best security, highest cost. Favourite for families with corporate relocation packages and expat executives.
Osu
Accra’s cultural and commercial heartbeat. Oxford Street, restaurants, nightlife, boutiques. More noise, more energy — perfect for creatives, entrepreneurs, and younger returnees. More affordable than East Legon.
Tema
Ghana’s planned port city, 25km from Accra. Larger homes, quieter streets, strong community feel. Increasingly popular as Accra traffic and costs rise. Good schools and amenities developing fast.
Aburi Hills
40 minutes from Accra, significantly cooler temperatures, stunning green landscape. Growing fibre internet infrastructure. Popular with remote workers and creatives wanting space without disconnecting from Accra.
Schools, Healthcare & Banking in Accra
The specific names and details that actually matter when you’re planning a move, not a vacation.
🏫 International Schools
- Lincoln Community SchoolUS curriculum, East Legon. ~$18,000–$22,000/yr. Most popular with American returnees.
- Ghana International SchoolBritish/IB curriculum, Airport area. ~$12,000–$18,000/yr. Long-established, strong reputation.
- American International SchoolUS curriculum, near Airport Residential. ~$20,000–$25,000/yr. Strong STEM programme.
- SOS Herman Gmeiner Intl CollegeIB curriculum, East Legon. ~$8,000–$12,000/yr. Strong academics, more affordable.
- Tema International SchoolIB curriculum, Tema. ~$6,000–$10,000/yr. Best value international option.
🏥 Healthcare Providers
- Nyaho Medical CentreEast Legon. Most popular with diaspora returnees. Emergency, specialist, 24-hour pharmacy. International standards.
- Trust HospitalOsu. 24-hour, multi-specialty. Family medicine, maternity, cardiology. Strong reputation for quality care.
- Rabito ClinicCantonments. Smaller, private, diaspora-friendly. Good for routine visits and urgent care.
- Medafrik HospitalTema. Growing facility with full specialties. Good option for Tema residents.
- Insurance tipMany returnees maintain US/UK private insurance for major procedures while using quality local private care for routine visits.
🏢 Banking in Ghana
- Fidelity Bank GhanaMost popular with diaspora returnees. Diaspora-focused products, streamlined account setup, good digital banking.
- Access Bank GhanaInternational orientation, accepts diaspora documentation, good for cross-border transactions.
- Ecobank GhanaPan-African network, excellent for business accounts and transfers across West Africa.
- Standard Chartered GhanaInternational standards, strong for high-net-worth clients and business banking.
- What to bringPassport, proof of address (utility bill or lease), and ideally an introduction letter from your home bank.
What to Ship, What to Buy Locally
One of the most common questions. Here’s the honest answer from people who’ve done it.
| Category | Ship from US/UK | Buy in Ghana | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture | Sentimental/heirloom pieces only | ✓ Buy locally | Accra has excellent local artisan furniture, often custom-made at a fraction of US cost |
| Appliances | Specialised items (eg. stand mixer) | ✓ Most available locally | Accra Mall, West Hills Mall, Melcom stock most major brands. Note: Ghana uses 230V/50Hz |
| Books & documents | ✓ Ship everything | — | Books are expensive or hard to find in Ghana. Ship your full library |
| Clothing | Professional/formal wardrobe | ✓ Casual & traditional | Excellent local tailors and kente cloth. Heat-appropriate clothing widely available |
| Tech & electronics | ✓ Bring your devices | Available but pricier | Bring your current devices. Voltage adapters needed; surge protectors essential |
| Vehicle | Can ship, complex process | ✓ Usually easier to buy | Importing a US car is possible but involves significant duties. Buying locally is simpler for most |
Sea freight tip: Container consolidation (sharing a container with other families) makes sea freight affordable. Typical transit time: 4–8 weeks. Used personal effects declared as “household goods for relocation” receive preferential customs treatment.
How Akwaaba Helps You Move
We’ve helped hundreds of diaspora families visit Ghana. Here’s what we offer for those who decide to stay.
Start with a Scouting Trip
Don’t move based on videos and Instagram. Come and spend 10–14 days with a real itinerary: specific neighborhoods, local schools, a coworking space day pass, market visits, and meetups with other returnees who’ve already made the move. Use our AI Trip Planner to build your itinerary — or call our NJ office and we’ll plan it for you. We do the research; you do the exploring.
Sort Your Legal Status While You’re There
People of African descent are eligible for Right of Abode — the right to live and work in Ghana indefinitely, with no employer sponsorship. The Ghana Immigration Service headquarters in Accra processes applications in person. A scouting trip is the natural time to handle this: submit your application during the visit, get the endorsement before you leave. Full Right of Abode guide →
Logistics Handled from Our NJ Office
Our US team, based in New Jersey, handles the pre-departure logistics so you land with everything sorted: flights coordinated, airport pickup arranged, temporary accommodation booked while you house-hunt, and warm introductions to trusted real estate agents, immigration attorneys, and healthcare providers in Accra. One contact, no coordination chaos.
Join the Akwaaba Community
Our travel community isn’t just for visitors. It’s full of people at every stage — scouting, currently moving, already settled two years in. Real answers from real people who’ve done it. No gatekeeping, no selling. Just the community that makes the move feel less like a leap and more like a plan.
Come First. Decide Later.
Most people who move to Ghana came first as visitors. These are the Akwaaba experiences that often start the conversation.
Detty December 2026
The best time to experience Ghana — festivals, parties, beach, culture, family. Many returnees made their decision after their first Detty December. Our all-inclusive packages start from $3,750.
Ghana Girls Trip
A curated girls trip is one of the best ways to scout Ghana seriously. Our packages are designed for groups who want real cultural immersion, not just pool days. From $1,495 per person.
Akwaaba Foundation
When you book with Akwaaba, a portion funds school trips for Ghanaian children to visit Cape Coast Castle, Manhyia Palace, and Black Star Square. Your trip home helps their history come alive.
Ghana Dual Citizenship Guide
Step-by-step guide to dual citizenship and Right of Abode — from documentation to oath-taking in Accra. Know exactly what you qualify for before you go.
Moving to Ghana: Common Questions
Continue Your Ghana Journey
CITIZENSHIP
Ghana Dual Citizenship & Right of Abode
Embassy contacts, document checklists, and the step-by-step process — everything to claim your legal right to stay.
TRAVEL
Ghana Vacation Packages
All-inclusive packages from the US and UK — flights, accommodation, guided tours, and ground transport sorted.
EVENTS
Detty December 2026
Time your scouting trip with Ghana’s biggest season — concerts, beach parties, and homecoming energy Dec 1–31.
GROUPS
Ghana Girls Trip
Explore Ghana with your crew before committing to the move. Curated girls trips to Accra, Cape Coast, and beyond.
Ready to Come Home?
Start with a scouting trip. Our NJ team handles flights, neighborhoods, community connections — everything before you land.
EVENTS IN GHANA
What's On in Ghana This Week
Festivals, concerts, cultural events, and experiences — updated every week.
Browse Events →REAL TRIPS · REAL PEOPLE
See What Ghana Actually Looks Like
From our travelers’ feeds — unfiltered Ghana experiences
