09/06/2026
๐ฟ๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ ๐พ๐๐๐๐ -๐๐ฃ! ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ค๐ช ๐ฝ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ผ๐๐ง๐ค๐๐? ๐
My husband recently said, "Today marks 14-years since we relocated from London to Australia"๐ฎ
That simple statement stopped me in my tracks.
I suddenly realized that I have been in the diaspora for over 20 years.
10 years in the UK.
14 years in Australia.
Over two decades away from Ghana.
Where did the years go?
Twenty years is not a joke ooo my people. If I had left Ghana with a newborn baby, that child would be over 20 years old today.
As I sat reflecting, I began to ask myself some questions.
What was my dream when I left Ghana?
And what is my reality today?
As a coach, I have spoken to hundreds of African immigrants over the years. If I am honest, about 99% of them tell me the same thing:
"Life in the diaspora is not what I imagined."
Many of us came searching for opportunity, stability, and a better future for our families.
We thought that once we arrived overseas, financial struggles would disappear. Na lie๐ณ
Instead, many are working harder than ever.
Some are working double shifts.
Some are juggling multiple jobs.
Some are earning more money than they ever earned back home, yet somehow feel more financially stretched due to the high cost of living.
Many parents carry a silent guilt.
The guilt of having to say "No" to their children.
"No, we can't afford that school excursion."
"No, we can't buy that new device."
"No, we can't take that holiday."
"No to birthday parties"
Yet these are the very children we sacrificed so much for.
We left family behind.
Missed milestones of family members.
Missed watching our parents grow older.
We traded familiarity for opportunity in the diaspora.
And sometimes we wonder:
Was this the life we dreamed of?
Don't get me wrong. There is much to be grateful for.
Many of us have built beautiful lives.
We have careers, homes, families, and opportunities that may not have been possible otherwise if we were back home.
But after 20 years in the diaspora, I have learned something important:
Living overseas does not automatically create wealth or freedom.
A bigger income does not always mean a better life.
Working harder does not always mean getting ahead.
Sometimes we become so busy surviving that we forget why we came in the first place.
So today, I am reflecting.
Not just on how far I have come, but on where I am going.
Because if the next 20 years pass as quickly as the last 20, I want them to be intentional and impactful.
To my fellow Africans in the diaspora:
What was your dream when you left home?
And how different is your reality today?
Let's have an honest conversation in the comments.
Coach Rebecca cares
www.rebeccadigitalgroup.com
