Ghana Unveils 7 Pillars For Beyond The Return: Here Is What It Means For The Diaspora

Today, Ghana unveiled the 7 pillars of its Beyond The Return initiative at an event at the National Theatre that was streamed online.

Being heavily invested in the Ghana/Diaspora space, I watched the program via the Beyond The Return’s Facebook page. The event seamlessly incorporated storytelling through theatre, dance, and documentary with official remarks reflecting on Ghana’s successful Year of Return and in furtherance of its decade long Beyond The Return initiative.

Beyond The Return is a 10-year initiative of the government of Ghana promote tourism and homecoming of Africans and Ghanaians in the Diaspora and to foster economic relations and investments from the Diaspora in Africa and Ghana.

Watch Ghana’s Minister of Tourism talk about Beyond The Return below:

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A post shared by Beyond The Return (@beyondthereturn) on Sep 9, 2020 at 10:31am PDT

7 Pillars of Beyond The Return

The 7 pillars of the Beyond The Return initiative create specific avenues or focus areas for strategic engagement with the African Diaspora.

Here are the 7 pillars that were unveiled at the event as they are listed and explained on the country’s Beyond The Return website:

1. Experience Ghana

   EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE, WARMTH, AND RHYTHM

   The core of the project is the tourism drive and the invitation to the Global African family to visit and experience Ghana. Underpinning this core will be the introduction of Sankofa and healing journeys and the promotion of December in Ghana as a must-do for the Ghanaian and African Diaspora

2. INVEST IN GHANA

   DIVERSE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

   Ghana, the fastest growing economy in the world in 2019 is an established business destination for investors with progressive government transparent regulations and a dynamic private sector ready for partnerships.

   This pillar will create special investment programs and ease of doing business for the diaspora. Key activities will be the Diaspora Investment programs, Sankofa Savings accounts, and Diaspora's housing schemes.

3. DIASPORA PATHWAYS TO GHANA

   EASING YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

   This pillar will see to the adoption of legal and policy frameworks on visa acquisition (e-visa) and the institution of a diaspora visa. It will facilitate key diaspora pathway programs such as Citizenship programs, Educational and work exchanges, Residence, and work permits.

4. CELEBRATE GHANA

   DIVERSE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

   Create a sense of national consciousness anchored on key cultural festivals, media programs, adoption of contemporary festivals unto the national calendar, and promotion of domestic tourism

5. Brand Ghana

   YOUR REAL HOME

   Promote Ghana as a leading tourism destination and a hub for the African renaissance. Craft a new narrative on Ghana and strategically promote to the world.

6. GIVE BACK TO GHANA

   SUPPORT GHANA

   Foster a new sense of community service and giving that will create ongoing legacies for the project. Service areas will include tree planting, community clean-ups, adoption of certain community impact projects

7. PROMOTE PAN AFRICAN HERITAGE & INNOVATION

   ROOTS TOURISM

   This pillar will focus on promoting Pan-African and Ghanaian heritage and developing pilgrimage infrastructure around sites of memory.  Development tourism infrastructure for target sites beyond the highly frequented sites of Cape Coast and Elmina Dungeons such as the Salaga Slave market in the Northern Region, Pikworo Slave camp in the Upper East Region Assin Praso in the Central Region, all of which are essential parts of the history of slavery in Ghana.

So what does this mean for the African Diaspora?

COLLABORATION, COLLABORATION, COLLABORATION & MORE IMPORTANTLY, SUPPORT

The unveiling of these 7 pillars means it is an opportune time to launch/invest in/ plan to move to Ghana if you are a member of the African Diaspora. Given the success of the Year of Return Initiatives and the economic and socio-political capital and of the African Diaspora, especially that of the African American community, the African Diaspora community yields strong influence in Ghana’s tourism policies and engagements.

Simply stated, there are open and willing ears for the African Diaspora, and perhaps more support now than later as the initiative grows old. Reach out to the associated offices if and when you need help with your Ghana/Africa moves and investments.

Reach out for government collaboration and support as well. There are many offices and platforms through which to collaborate, such as the Diaspora Investment Desk.

I also heard mention of a Homeland Act by the Minister of Tourism. This Act will streamline a repatriation process for Africans in the Diaspora. I will share more details on this as soon as I know more. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter if you would like to stay abreast of this.

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“The GIPC through the Diaspora Investment Desk will work with other stakeholders to optimize linkages and partnerships with the diaspora community” Yofi Grant ( CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre) @r.yofi Join the live webcast at 4pm today to witness the collaboration between GIPC and @beyondthereturn and to also know what GIPC has in store for our diaspora community! Beyond the Return: A decade of African Renaissance. #investinghana #diaspora #diasporaaffairs #africa #ghana #investment #westafrica #diasporacommunity #diasporapopulation #gipc #investmentopportunties #ghanadiaspora #ghanatotheworld #businessinghana #investors #diasporainvestors #yofigrant #visitghana #beyondthereturn #ghanatourism #ghanatourism #ghanaonthego #btrpillars

A post shared by GhanaInvestmentPromotionCentre (@diasporainvestmentdesk) on Sep 9, 2020 at 4:31am PDT

Finally, please research and plan before you make any moves. Having moved between Ghana and NYC for the last 5 years, I know very well the challenges and opportunities present. My free ebook is a great guide for those looking to get started or who simply want to know more. I also have many insightful resources for Moving & Investing in Ghana here.

Africa Taking Charge: $3B COVID-19 Economic Relief Package & Request for Debt Relief

A day before the U.S. Senate reached a $2 Trillion COVID-19 relief deal, Africa’s foremost Pan-African financial institution, The African Export-Import Bank, announced a $3billion COVID relief package to similarly aid African countries in dealing with the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The institution wrote the following in its communique on the package:

[The money] will support central banks, and other financial institutions to meet trade debt payments that fall due and to avert trade payment defaults, said Afreximbank. It will also be available to support and stabilize the foreign exchange resources of central banks of member countries, enabling them to support critical imports under emergency conditions.

In addition, PATIMFA will assist member countries whose fiscal revenues are tied to specific export revenues, such as mineral royalties, to manage any sudden fiscal revenue declines as a result of reduced export earnings. It will also provide emergency trade finance facilities for import of urgent needs to combat the pandemic, including medicine, medical equipment, hospital refitting, etc.

For the last month, pundits have reiterated that Africa’s mounting debt and tanking commodity prices, ie. oil and non metal minerals, will devastate African economies. With rising numbers of Corona virus cases on the continent, they are all but sure that African economies, and inevitably its COVID-19 response, will tank. Recent headlines read:

“Opaque Oil-Backed Loans Could Fuel Next African Debt Crisis” - Forbes

“How debt burdens could cripple Africa's COVID-19 response” - DevEx

It is thus comforting that African institutions and agencies such as The African Export-Import Bank are responding and providing much-needed liquidity and financial support during this time.

It is also noteworthy that African leaders, led by Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, are leading the call for debt relief and aid support that would very much change the health and economic impacts of this virus on the continent via removing debt obligations that would very much stand in the way of effective COVID-19 response.

The Prime Minister clearly outlined his 3 point proposal to the G20, WHO, IFC, among others, a few days ahead of the G20 virtual summit. He shared:

The World Bank and IMF have since taken note of P.M. Ahmed’s proposal and have lent their support. Although this part of the work is now contingent on the G20 ie. waiting on their response, P.E. Ahmed’s bold proposal, coupled with the relief committed by the Afreximbank, and what individual African countries will soon commit to their own countries and others, are commendable acts of Africa’s agency that should not be ignored! Africans are leading a forceful charge by proposing bold, innovative solutions that will see us through!

Here is how to save Ghana's economy during COVID-19

It’s been about a month since I arrived in the US from Ghana. I came for a gig and speaking opportunities that would have allowed me to promote my book about Africa and identity, Should I Return.

Since being stateside, I have been building new skills, reading - just finished Trevor Noah’s amazing book, Born A Crime - , and working on new mediums of content distribution, including building my mailing list and starting my YouTube Channel.

Perhaps the one thing I have been doing most consistently is following developments in Ghana via WhatsApp groups and status updates from friends and family there. A series of status updates that resonated deeply with me this weekend were those from my friend and fellow Ghanaian business consultant, Moses Gbeku, on how Ghana’s government could save Ghana’s economy during this time. Moses leads business development and strategy for many large and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana and across the region. He wrote the following policy recommendations that could potentially save Ghanaian businesses and workers:

What are your thoughts on Moses’ suggestions? What would you do differently, add, or takeaway?

News out today on the virus in Africa is entirely grim. Headlines read:

“Africa faces a coronavirus catastrophe”

“Coronavirus: “We’ve gone from looming threat to looming disaster””

News articles about the devastating impact of the health and economic impact of COVID-19 abound. Very few provide suggestions, ideas, insights on how to weather this storm, either on a grassroots level or from the top, down. And perhaps none spell out specific steps that could have a direct impact on people’s lives. Suggestions like those by Moses could help.

I am hoping that after the Ghanaian government contains the health situation, there might be more direct economic policy, especially those that positively support the average worker, and even the great numbers of unemployed youth, at this time.

What do you think? What suggestions do you have? In my first Youtube video, I discussed leading in a time of crisis. Sharing thoughtful suggestions from your area of expertise at this time could be one of the ways in which you do so.

Feel free to leave your comments below. Happy to read and chat.

Top 5 tips for successfully pitching your African business

Yesterday, February 26th 2020, after placing second at the Ghana National Pitch Competition, I received a few questions about successfully pitching to investors.

I wrote what is probably one of the most popular articles on my website almost a year to this date after pitching at Georgetown and Harvard University. I think that content is widely applicable to the question about pitching investors so I have linked that article below.

This is what I learned from pitching my African startup at Harvard and Georgetown's Africa Business Conference

Still, there are a few other points I would like to reiterate a year after that article, and especially in light of my recent work advising a portfolio of companies in Ghana with fundraising. With the advantage of now serving as a consultant, I see some pain points that must be re-addressed and emphasized.

***These tips are for those pitching to competitions or to panels of some sort, and not to investors 1-on-1***

1. You have to know how to WRITE a compelling case for the applications!

   And if you don’t, hire a writer, honestly. I have had to revise and advise on many application responses from brilliant entrepreneurs who otherwise would not make the pass to pitch competitions because they do not know how to sell their business or what they do in WRITING! This is where I truly bring tremendous value as a seasoned writer in the media and as a creative writer with an Amazon #1 New Release poetry book. Even if you know how to speak well and have great business traction, no one will get to hear you speak if they are not convinced enough to move you from paper to the stage! Get it right on paper!!!

2. You have to FOLLOW the general pitch format

   Yesterday, I saw a doctor pitch their highly impressive med-tech business in a really confusing manner. For one reason or another, he started his presentation with his revenue, amount raised, and financials, things no one cares about if they do not know your business, what problem you are solving, and why your solution is the right fit. There is a standard pitch deck template that generally works because it aligns with the way people process information. Do not deviate from that. You can be creative after you get the core. Book a time with me if you want my pitch template.

3. Sell YOURSELF first

   This is something I learned at the Harambe Alliance Symposium and something I hold dear henceforth: not undervaluing your schooling, expertise, personal experience, etc. People buy into your pitch/business because of YOU, not necessarily because of the product or service. Let me provide a clear example: if you sell shea butter from women in the North and you believe in women’s rights, fare wages, given them access to health and medical care, then stating your training or certification as say, an MPH - Masters in Public Health matters. It may not seem like it is directly related to that work, but in fact, it informs your mission and values as a business on both a conscious and subconscious level.

4. Get a team &/or advisors AND speak to their contribution

   I tell all of my portfolio companies to include their advisors - picture and title - in their deck. Perhaps you may be new to business or not have the highest credentials in the business in which you are starting the business but should you be able to rally a team of experts in that field to back your vision and work, then you are in a great position to success as a business. Do not discount that! That deeply elevates and furthers credibility in you and your business.

5. Find competitions, accelerators, investors that are aligned with your business

   Why? Because none of this matters if you are speaking to the wrong person. If the competition/VC is only interested in bio-tech and you only care about creating a mobile application to collect church offerings, then you will be knocking at the wrong door. There are many pitch competition opportunities and I believe there are fitting opportunities within those for every type of entrepreneur.

Want to discuss further or get my help with fundraising? Why not book a time?

Also, if you enjoy my writing, please support my work by purchasing my debut book, ‘Should I Return’. If you are as passionate or interested in Africa, the African Diaspora, and/or our collective identity as I am, then you will enjoy it.

This is what I wish I knew moving to Ghana, tips and advice

Over the last few years, I have had a number of people reach out to me to share their plans for moving to Ghana. They are often curious about my process and often ask a few similar questions: when to move, how to find a job, and how to build social and professional networks. Here is a post on my decision journey to move to Ghana at 25 years old and here is another post on finding jobs and finding and building professional networks. Below, I give broad tips and general advice I wish I knew before I embarked on the journey.

While some of these points may seem minuscule on paper, they are the difference between having a smooth vs. rocky transition once on the group.

1. Be intentional about what you need from the move, financially: This will largely dictate how you spend your time, especially at the onset - will you jump immediately into work, spend time exploring the country, doing volunteer work, etc. I was very clear with myself when I first moved that I wanted to learn and explore the business climate in Ghana. I was not concerned about making money. As such, I spent my first 3 years open to exploring new industries and skills, changing jobs often, consulting on numerous projects, doing volunteer work. As such, I largely lived on my savings. In year 4, my financial intentions shifted and as such, so did my focus and work.

2. Be prepared to spend more than you expect: Many people from the UK/US believe that the exchange rate favors them so they will be okay with the some smaller degree if funds. Accra, Ghana is as expensive as living in New York City and more so than outside of Africa, there are many expenses and fees that are commonplace in the Ghanaian system that you won’t find elsewhere. Having to pay a cedis for someone to help you figure out something here and there quickly adds up.

3. Having a car helps: with bummer-to-bummer traffic, bad roads, and limited public transportation options, having a car makes navigating Accra easier and more effective, if one knows how to drive and can manage the aggressive driving culture here. Else, you either spend a lot of money on Ubers/taxis or a lot of time/sweat on ‘trotros’. I too think about the issues of car congestion in Accra, climate change, and my carbon footprint but there seems to be no way around being efficient and cost effective without a car in this country.

4. If you are looking for a job: it is probably best to begin the search and application process while abroad. I have a post that delves deeper into job hunting here.

5. Finding a place to stay: for the most part, renters have to pay their 2-year return upfront when they sign a lease. While renting in Ghana can be less expensive than in the West, the long term lease commitment can be daunting and financially draining. Having a family home to stay at can make adjusting much smoother. I have only lived in family homes since moving and it has saved me a lot of money.

6. Get involved in activities: at some level, the things you enjoy abroad are also available to you here and are relatively cheaper than what you paid for abroad. For example, if you enjoy yoga, fitness, traveling, swimming, dancing, singing, church, etc, you can do that here. There are a numerous providers for these services as well. Do a search on IG or Facebook or join any of the numerous local WhatsApp platforms to get information on where to look for things and what’s happening in the ecosystem.

7. Find your people/tribe: network/ relationships, in general, are the power source on which Accra moves. On the technical side, things (such as getting a government ID, etc) will be expensive and time-consuming if you don’t know someone. Everyone knows someone. On the emotional and psychological side, finding your tribe helps in helping you acclimate. The close and early friends I made when I first moved to Ghana were people at my gym. You can find your people everywhere as long as you are friendly and open.

8. Get help with paperwork, early: you will need some sort of government ID to open bank accounts, register your business, etc. Are you a Ghanaian citizen by birth but don’t have a passport or national id? Make arrangements to sort that out sooner than later as that will afford you access and local price points that you will not have using your foreign passport/identity.

9. Think about essential life services: how will you work around things such as health care/health insurance? How will you navigate around this if your job does not provide health insurance? Do you have a dentist, doctor, plumber, cleaner, dispatcher, painter, or police officer’s number available? Do you have emergency contacts or nanny’s if you have children? Waiting till you need a specific profession before you acquire their number is not safe, especially in Ghana where there are few professionals for the population size.

10. Come mentally prepared: Ghana can be difficult to acclimate to, work with, and grow within. The best thing I did in my move was to stay teachable, open, and humble to many different people and circumstances. This has endeared others to me and me to them, while providing me with opportunities I never could have dreamed about.

Top 3 sources to get information on future trends

I have always been fascinated by the future and trends. It is for this reason that I have had the Trends + Observations column on my website since it launched 2 years ago.

Lately, I have been publishing a lot of my thoughts and content on trends, ‘the future’, blockchain, and data science to my Instagram stories. A handful of people have asked me where I get my information from. Here is a roundup of some sources I revert to usually. I must add that this list is not exhaustive but I think its a good starting point for any interested in learning more about where we are headed in business and technology.

Food + Tech Connect

This newsletter is the best round-up of everything that is going on in the world of food/ food+tech and most often, the most interesting and exciting of the innovations happening. I first connected with this newsletter in 2015 when an acquaintance I met in NYC who was opening, "Come Mas: Bronx Cusine Under $10: Your Oasis in the Food Dessert”, emailed it to me. I get an inbox delivery about once a week on the topics: Events, CPG, Retail, Restaurants, Agriculture, Eaters, and by and large, I am always blown away by the happenings in the food/food+tech world.

For foodies like myself, Food + Tech Connect is a really satisfying way to delve into tech trends and projections. What better way to understand future technologies than through their applications to the foods you consume daily and the restaurants you usually patronize.

Bloomberg Business

Bloomberg Business on IG gives a great snapshots into current happenings and future trends in the world of business. I first came to this page through Instagram’s explore page where I spend the bulk of my time on the platform - figuring out what’s going on beyond my feed. I believe Bloomberg Business’ text visuals make it easy to browse-and-digest the business trends + happenings of the day in a 15 min or less scroll at lunch break, on commute, or before bedtime.

Glimpse

Finally, Glimpse is an honorary member to this list as I just came to know of it 2 days ago through a friend as we discussed sources for information on trends. I have subscribed and look forward to what I can glean. I really like the premise of the platform: discover consumer trends before they go viral. For example, the company says it was able to spot the oat milk trend before interest skyrocketed. If you are developing consumer products or consulting on such, this is where you want to be.

Where do you get your information about where the world - business in particular - is headed? Feel free to leave a comment and I will surely respond. Also, want to discuss these trends and more at length? I’ve got a few people asking me about data science/blockchain, Africa, among a number of things. To ensure that I respect my time and theirs, I’ve developed this practice: let’s schedule a time. Subscribe to my newsletter below to keep abreast of fresh content.

"We Are The Children" by Lee Claiborne

Lee Claiborne reached out to me via email to share his poem. He shared that my mission statement here resonnated with him ask for me to share this poem. I am so happy to do so! I am incredibly grateful to everyone who shares in this vision and work, and always more than happy to share our collective efforts.

Cheers and thank you Lee.