It's Harder To Be Successful In Ghana, But Easier To Be Free: Honest Reflections After 15 Years

[@MrTimSwain]

What do you think about this video?

[@yeofs2667]

Great video Tim. Your reflections on your experiences in Ghana going back over a decade is amazing. My take on the topic is that the underperformance of governments in almost all African countries is the problem. The prevailing status quo and lack of urgency to make radical changes makes it very difficult for anyone to thrive. After many attempts and coming up against a brick wall each time, one gives up and leave.

[@rocksono9640]

@Tim Swain, I Agree and Disagree with your comment that is ' more harder to be successful in Ghana but easier to be free than America. I think is much harder for ordinary Ghanaians to be successful in Ghana even if they have the skills and mindset but have no finances and doesn't 'know someone big' . However for diaspora Ghanaians, people like yourself, if you have the skills, mindset and a little finances, your success rate can be higher than America but obviously not 6months or 3 years but say 4 years. You need more wait time if you know what you are doing for your choice of business. The reason is, you can have monopoly to the business you are doing with no competition or you would have much better standards of your business with something as simple as your customer service and customer satisfaction. Good luck to you in Ghana.

[@rainbow3649]

All well said, except a few points. Tim, bro, in Africa, u need patience and tolerance. Now, that u know exactly what Africa gives u as a HUMAN, which is the first step, second step is, how you and your family are going to survive in your "second home" as u call it! Ghana can really be good for u, if u figure out the secret, and with a western trained mind, u are a step ahead of the mentality! Just figuring out what is NEEDED, and try to see how u can SOLVE it, like they teach us in the states, and figure out how to get PAID FOR IT! BOOM, DONE!! Doesnt mean everything will be easy peasy, straight forward, no, not in Ghana, which U've already figured out smartly, but I promise u, if u are able to figure out a much needed solution to a problem in Ghana, which is many, find the right people to associate with, I dint think you've still gotten that angle yet, find the right people to associate with, you be the idea man, they be the money people, or connection person to direct u to the right people or places, boom, My brother is in! I know you'll be successful in Ghana, do u see how far you've come, and how much time you've put in already? Bro, U got this! Just give it a couple more years! I know how frustrating it is, especially when u are coming from the states. Now that you've known all our Ghanaian secrets, hm, you've made it! I'm Ghanaian by the way. You'll be ok bro, just a couple more years!

[@Giveitatought]

You just stated the reality of the impact of slavery, colonization and neocolonialism on African nations. Western financial success is thanks to the free labor of our ancestors plus colonial taxes our people have been paying to them. Just imagine what Africa would be if she had benefited such free labor or if she could be master of her natural resources today. One of the responsibilities of the African diaspora is to rebuild the land in all aspects.

[@argabriel8250]

So much respect and appreciation the realness and wisdom you're sharing and the great work you're doing. This has been IMMENSELY helpful! YAH's Favor and Shalom on you and yours.

[@denisedixon-george3866]

The freeness I feel living on the continent can’t be described in words, It has to experienced.

[@dadoboye1536]

Tim…any place where you’re born and spend your formative years will have an impact on you as an adult. Formative years are usually lived in “ignorance” because you really are not matured enough to recognize the “system.” When you become an adult, you cannot go back and relive the early years naively, and you come face to face with the “system.” The question then becomes a personal choice whether you’re comfortable and happy living in the “system” knowing all the limitations and brutalities with no end in sight, or you move to your “ancestral homeland” with all its limitations but a promising future with endless possibilities for you and generations to come.

[@py20]

Tim, thanks for your honest confessions. There's no doubt that life in Ghana is challenging in so many ways, especially for someone like yourself who came from a different culture. Ghana works best for people who have money. In fact, for those with a good stream of income, life in Ghana offers fun, freedom and peace. That's a sad admission but it's the truth. If I could advise you, I'll say come back to America. Work and invest and try to do so with an immigrant mindset. Then, use the resources you have to build a comfortable life in Ghana or wherever else you prefer on the African continent. That's how many of us have done it and I can tell you it works beautifully. As a Ghanaian, my heart is and will forever be in Ghana/Africa. But I will not cut or burn my access to the West because the realities in the world as they are now, that would be self-defeating. The good news is, things are changing on the continent, and I expect that to continue. But while we work to accelerate the desired change, one has to be a pragmatist, not an idealist, in how he approaches life.

[@princessprincess7708]

How people do things in Africa is draining. Fact. You to do 15 years you deserve Aplause with An accent you do as a cherry on top. I love My Tim Swain. And you got a gorgeous Mrs too.

[@ronalddumfeh6920]

@Tim. As an Ghanaian who has lived most of his life in Canada I'm amazed with all these African Americans coming back to Ghana to explore and reconnect to the ancestral identity. Truth of the matter is that you will always feel like an immigrant in Gh because of the cultural difference. That I hope does not dissuade you from continuing your experience in Ghana. Your grandkids and generation afterwards you should stay in Africa are going to be the ones to fully feel African. It is the same for us African immigrants who emigrate to Abroad to U.S or Canada etc. etc. It is our kid who now identify as Canadians or Americans as they assimalate easier.

[@christinemcliesh7628]

You are spot on about "us" not embracing and appreciating the cultural identity we formed over the hundreds of years in the West. We are HERE. And THRIVING. "Nuff" respect to the ancestors.

[@ExcessiveVisas]

I’m coming to Ghana next month August coming from America. Anyone that wants to link let me know. Will be my first time in Ghana

[@rainbow3649]

I think u shld link with Tim first. He's the OG that u need there...not just anyone. Be careful. I'm from there, but not home right now, I'm in NY unfortunately, otherwise, Uve got the best person and right guide in me and my family and friends. I can still give u my nephew's contact there, to take care of U. He's very decent and cool person. Get in touch with Tim. He's cool people!

[@jaydonaldson860]

Make sure you check Jerry Johnson's African Ancestors Wall in New Nigo. Hes a AA has rooms restaurants the beach is close. Enjoy your stay.

[@rwilks5733]

Bruh…Your words on not being able to deny our Americanism. Well said!

[@williamgamelisenaya793]

If you get your money chopped enough time,you wouldn't deny your African American heritage... "Classic"

[@antebellumblackamerican7408]

i wan't both. Welcome back to the Black American tribe Tim your presence was greatly missed.

[@kennykenny7293]

The struggle is real. Just got back from visiting and l can relate to what what you saying, the struggle is real indeed

[@Comfy8443]

Escape! Real talk. Buying your book. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@harrybanks5607]

Congratulations on achieving your 10K subscribers! I've been following you for some time now, and this one is, in my humble opinion, your best. Definitely a great deal of purposeful and necessary self- introspection.

[@ms.parker502]

I love this honest conversation. This is content I will watch again and again.

[@StirUpYourPurpose]

Not sure about Ghanaian economy and dynamics of available opportunities but it's probably similar to Nigeria but not as large as Nigeria and I would say it is way more easier to be successful in that environment and if you add the exposure of Western experience to the mix there is no reason not to be successful. Yes it would not be easy and it would be challenging but with the right attitude, mindset and application of certain spiritual principles there is no reason not to be successful. Sometimes also I believe, and this is my opinion the Americans of African descent are too caught up in this skin color thing, don't get too caught up in these labels. In this time and age it is easier to trace your roots through DNA. Find that ancestral lineage and embrace it, learn the language and that might just be the missing puzzle and with that success is guaranteed and the only limitation will be that which one places upon himself albeit unconsciously. Peace!

[@PracticallyAfrican]

Bruv you’re speaking facts! My childhood friend came back to Ghana to start a business… his capital run down in no time. Electricity , healthcare and water was a major issue. At the airport when he was going back he advised me to be a global citizen. I should belong to as many worlds as possible. Travel which unfortunately I cannot afford to!

[@roster554]

You are spitting out real facts, Tim. Some people need to Calm down in the comment section. Y'all are missing the point of this video. We learn and grow by sharing our life experiences of places we lived and visited. Ain't nothing wrong with that. Y'all will do well by joining the communist party in China or North Korea. Stop being emotional and elect the right people in power. How many of you have done something in your community to improve the lives of people? It's easy to sit on the couch, and act as fake moderators of KZbin content about Ghana than to take on an initiative that helps a community. My observations: In Africa, everybody has something to say, but nobody does a damn thing to solve a problem.

[@Emanueljones69]

😊from Holland Europe, thank you very much for inspiring us.

[@asemdad2433]

Real deep minded person I love u for your honesty. The hassle in Ghana is Real. because of bad governance things are very hard the year 2000 to 2009 ghana was like paradise I was there by my self.. But now our new president is the most corrupt president ever he has destroyed the country

[@appias95]

Choosing between financial success and freedom! I'm sure if you ask local Ghanaians to answer this question it will be interesting to hear the responses 😀

[@snakemuttie]

@ Augustine Kusi :It will definitely be an interesting question but I bet you most local Ghanaians will choose financial freedom because they have no idea of what it is to live in a society where the Color of your skin determines who you are.

[@kelvinkudjo7711]

What is success to you and what is freedom to you? How would u like your children and your children's children to live like?. Food for thought for all of us

[@princessprincess7708]

Freedom for me is not hearing that Word BLACK all day long by the Afro Americans. They cringe me out. They are Enslavers of Afro people all over the world.

[@ebenezermensah5835]

Tim, you’re spot on bro. We are the product of our environment, however, it does not mean that we cannot learn to appreciate who we truly are. That’s African by blood, and nature. We are Africans raised in the Western world.

[@fortunatebabygirl8812]

Thanks for sharing Tim

[@niiamu3300]

Success is based on each individual measure.

[@ableabia1513]

Thank you brother

[@denisewilliams1113]

🎉🎉you doing amazing 👏 job..And giving other people hope and important information 👍 . Thank you 🎉

[@LoneSurvivor-tp6ml]

That is true Man, culture is More than skin color

[@Kof_Believer]

You are right. If you want to go through the channel as biblically expected of us, then it is harder but with focus and prayers, you will get there. Please don't give up. Love your channel. Honest discussion.

[@mohammediddrisu4557]

Strong and insightful confessions, Tim. I keep coming back to you because, bruh, you’re so deep in your thinking and reflections!

[@WordSeed100]

Bro, I hear you clearly. The purpose was to reconnect with the land of the ancestors, Some will stay, perhaps become citizens and move back to America and start developing projects in Ghana just like Ghananian Immigrants in the USA but they will need trusted people on ground which may be difficult to find or buy an already built house. This approach may be better for the younger generation.

[@spearwarrior3560]

appreciate your content. new subscriber

[@wiseup2399]

Thanks for educating us👍🏽

[@rainbow3649]

Hang in there bro! It gets better with the right circles association! One day you'll look back on these days and see the lessons. Its still early...I can understand, becos u have a family..it would've been a bit less stressful if it was just U!

[@djdjdax2253]

Fix the volume brother

[@niiamu3300]

@Tim, give some examples of American Culture.

[@julius7620]

The reason it is harder in Ghana is because most African Americans have not tried to go into business in America. The vast majority of us just wanna work for white people and never try to do anything on our own. We like to cry that we don't have capital but dress better and have more gadgets than other groups in America. Also once Affirmative Action came about, blacks have lost the desire to open businesses being that someone has to hire you.

[@abbassaquee286]

Brother Tim just a thought am wondering if you can speak any of the local language or languages since you have been for 15yrs.

[@justicejoycetv]

*It is easier to be free outside of the States, for me.* Edit 2 Add: #American the word feels so dirty to me. I never call myself such in all my travels. I'll say the states. I stress #Black but I relent to foreigners that call me such cuz I trust it's not coming from an ugly place. It's just #imperialism and current day #maltreatment makes me want to make it clear that I'm not like that. #distinguish myself so to speak.

[@niiamu3300]

@@Tim, you need to interview more immigrants in the USA about success. It takes years.

[@junity1]

I also can not comprehend when you say,it is EASIER to be free in Ghana. What do you mean by that? Law abiding black Americans in Ghana are simply free. This unequivocal FREEDOM was echoed by their first president.

[@awula5385]

Many more Ghanaians are more successful than you give them credit for. Most of the people you see hawking on the streets are people who moved from villages seekers ng opportunities in Accra. They share lodgings or live in these temporary type shelters until they get on their feet. What you don’t see is their move up, because someone else replaces them so you keep seeing people involved in the same hustle and don’t realize their not the same people. All those miles and miles of nice houses you see are 99% occupied by Ghanaians and they are not hawking products on the street. There is a lot of family support in Ghana that you will not find in the US that makes the difference. Here in California, most of the homeless population is made up of Black Americans.

[@niiamu3300]

There are homelessness in Philadelphia, DC, Detroit, Michigan, LA, etc.

[@albertmireku3871]

I totally disagree with you, in Ghana with little bit of capital you can easily make a living, i don't think is the same in US. I know a lot of AA who are making it in Ghana and the money they're generating it'll be difficult to make that money in America because the got all the peace of mind and the happiness to be successful

[@niiamu3300]

Changing countries is not easy.

[@LoneSurvivor-tp6ml]

How can I get that shirt' how much does it cost?

[@melvynnicholson357]

I totally agree with nii amu submission, your knowledge about the country is very minimal. I suggest you network more cos your focus on more negativity than what is possible.

[@papacheezie2838]

# MA'AT HOTEP MELANATED FAMILIES ACROSS DA DIESPORA TRUE DAT RISE UP RISE UP ASE' O ASE ' #

[@Deeplyrooted73]

One word, 🌟🌟🌟BRILLIANT🌟🌟🌟

[@junity1]

I disagree with you when you said that ,the color of the skin doesn't unite black people. It's been proven through out history time and time again. Yes it does just as heritage.

[@stes3797]

You are always accusing Ghana but as you people sufferd slavery Ghana also sufferd colonialism Ghnana had an independece in 1957 so stop compering America to Ghana Rome was not build in One day Africana are still suffring becuase of colonialism Amirica was not build in 65 year you have to praised your ancestors Who fight for Ghana independece chinies and other nations are doing bussineses and they are making It if you go to a country and you want to live there Learn how they live and Life Will be Better for you

[@niiamu3300]

Europeans, Arabs, Chinese, Indians and Lebanese are able to move, live and do business in Ghana and other parts of Africa. They work hard and they give themselves 5 years and above to become stable. Why would a black person move to Ghana and expect to be successful in one year? Two years? It takes a minimum of 5 years to measure true success.

[@zoey4301]

Nii Amu, my late Grandma is from usher fort Accra, her name is Naa Densua Vanderpuije. I have uncle's called Nii Amu, Tim Swain is giving an account of 15 yrs in Ghana

[@awula5385]

@@zoey4301Not really. He has stated elsewhere that he came on humanitarian missions to Ghana sponsored by his church. It wasn’t until 2019 that he moved to Ghana with an eye on working and making a living there.

[@niiamu3300]

Ghanaians in the USA do not become successful in the first 3 years. Why should an American expect to become successful in 6 months?

[@princessprincess7708]

I need to hear his voice to calm down from Mad man Afro American goblack2Africa. How come you never do video together. I know because you too different😊

[@niiamu3300]

Tim, you sound like all Ghanaians are average. Next time talk about the different classes in Ghana.

[@niiamu3300]

@Tim, why do you compare yourself to the poor Ghanaian. Why don't you compare yourself to the upper class Ghanaians? Most Black Americans in Ghana do not have the finance or the means to do any tangible project or business in Ghana. 6 months is a terrible measure. Minimum it takes 5 years to measure success.

[@francis5279]

The struggle in Ghana has occurred because you have Akufo Addo as the president and neo-colonialist who has destroyed the economy and the education system of the country. His lack of natural intellect and having porous academic intellect is causing bad management of the country and as a result, Ghanaians have become impoverished and their human development is declining at a fast rate. Apparently, according to Kevin Taylor, Akufo Addo forged his way to become president of Ghana and also not a qualified human rights lawyer. Some people are calling for investigation.

[@francis5279]

@Rosita Scarborough I really feel sorry for you because, you are deeply living in COOCOOLAND and deeply asleep to ever wake up because, you have very little knowledge about Ghana and Singapore. For now, what I can enlightening you is that, your criminal and a thief Akufo Addo was born William Akufo. The Nana and other names are not his actual names. He borrowed those names to be somebody he's not. My adice for you is read and listen more and one day, you will thank me for it.

[@awula5385]

@@rositascarborough674 perhaps Singapore did not have Europeans and American governments planning their downfall. Nkrumah was taken out by the CIA so he must have represented a perceived threat to their interests. Please don’t make statements based on one Singaporeans so called observations.

[@CBLady]

Mentality is the problem in GH. No growth or maintenace mentality

[@niiamu3300]

@Tim, you live in a poor and average neighbourhood therefore, do not expect your success rate to be any better.

[@rainbow3649]

Nii Amu, meni sane! How do u know where he lives?? And how does where lives got to do with whatever hes going thru! What hes going thru has to do with what the population is going thru at large, so please grow up and stop! Meni hewo obaa dze le nakai...meni efee bo? Aaaah!! U ought to be ashamed of what u just said to a brother who has sacrificed 15yrs of his life to stick with this country, no matter all the deficits of ghana,,, so why?

[@niiamu3300]

@@rainbow3649, I k know the area. Is a poor neighbourhood. Is not a great place. The rent is cheap. The people are below average. If you live in a poor area your "network" will also be below average.

[@niiamu3300]

@@rainbow3649 Where you live, The level of the people you live among will determine many things in your life.

[@niiamu3300]

@@rainbow3649, If I live in a ghetto in Philadelphia it will determine what I will be going through. Do all Americans experience Philadelphia homelessness? Drug addiction? No! So, I cannot live in a poor neighbourhood in Philadelphia then say that is the USA. That is just a portion of America. Same applies to Ghana. He can not afford to pay the rent in the Airport Residential, Cantoments, Ridge, etc. So his below average lifestyle in Ghana is not the experience of everyone in Ghana.

[@niiamu3300]

@@rainbow3649, You should be ashamed of yourself. You don't know the country. He can not afford many places in Accra, etc. He lives in a poor neighbourhood. Do your research. Foolish Talk! Some Americans are doing great in Ghana. Note, success depends on the individual network. Black people should not expect to be successful in 6 months in Ghana. It takes an average 5 years to measure success when you move into a new country. The Europeans, Chinese, Arabs, Indians, etc live and do business in Ghana. Tim wants to be successful in 6 months? It will not happen. It takes an average of 5 years. It's a long term plan. He should also interview the average people in America. It's not easy!

[@princessprincess7708]

Fact is . You are an American. AFRO AMERICAN. Not BLACK AMERIVAN

[@niiamu3300]

We were not born in Ghana therefore you are not Ghanaian. You can naturalized if you want.

[@penrodcrystal6022]

𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚖 👀