Osei Kwame Onyina is a UK returnee who has relocated to Ghana to establish his own business. Reflecting on his return, he described his first Christmas in Ghana as joyful and refreshing, contrasting it with Christmas celebrations abroad, which were often spent indoors due to cold, rainy, and snowy weather. He expressed deep happiness about being back home.
In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Business Link, Osei revealed that life abroad can be extremely demanding and, in some cases, deadly. He shared that many people die overseas and are cremated without their bodies being sent back home, a reality that deeply frightened him. He recalled a tragic incident where his supervisor at work suddenly collapsed and died, highlighting how people often work themselves to exhaustion abroad.
Since returning to Ghana, Osei says his health has improved significantly, noting that persistent knee pains he suffered abroad have completely disappeared. While he admits he is not wealthy, he says he is comfortable and at peace.
Osei also shared a personal loss: his elder brother passed away in the UK and was cremated, with his body never returned to Ghana. This experience strengthened his belief that people should not allow pressure from family back home to push them into overworking abroad. According to him, many of the people one sends money to eventually forget about you when you return home.
He cautioned against the false image often portrayed by some people living abroad, known locally as “borgas,” who post flashy photos to impress and pressure others in Ghana. He narrated how a neighbour in the UK would stand alone on a small balcony just to take photos that suggested a luxurious lifestyle, even though the reality was far from it.
Osei mentioned knowing several individuals who left successful businesses in Ghana to move abroad, only to struggle. He also revealed that he knows about 15 Jamaicans who are eager to buy land and relocate to Ghana, with some already living in areas like Spintex. Yet, he finds it ironic that many Ghanaians still desire to leave the country at all costs.
He shared the story of a man who claimed to have $40,000 to relocate to Ghana. Osei advised him that once he returns, he must be willing to live and work like ordinary Ghanaians rather than expecting instant luxury.
According to Osei, successful relocation requires humility and proper planning. When he first returned to Ghana, he used public transportation until he could afford a car. He emphasized that everything depends on how one programs and prepares oneself mentally. He revealed that he spent years planning his move back to Ghana and even secured and rented his shop space before finally relocating.
Osei concluded by warning that some returnees take loans just to travel to Ghana and “show off,” only to spend months abroad struggling to repay the debt. He stressed that returning home should be a well-thought-out decision based on reality, not pressure or appearances.
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