If it's hard in Europe or America, come back to Ghana, Efia Odo to Ghanaian migrants

In the tweet, Efia Odo—who goes by Andrea Owusu in her personal life—spoke about the difficulties Ghanaians encounter in Europe and America and recommended that, should things get too difficult, they think about going back home.

She tweeted: "I never understand why some Ghanaians abroad  are always complaining about the hardships they’re facing. Come back to Ghana if Europe or America is difficult. Like shut up! You know damn well you’d rather be there than in Ghana".

Discussions about the experiences of Ghanaians living abroad and their connections to their native country have resurfaced as a result of the post, which has received mixed feedback from her followers and the larger online community.

While some praised Odo for sharing her honest viewpoint, others criticized her claim, pointing out the intricate and many reasons Ghanaians move and the difficulties they have both in their new countries and when they return home.

With this statement, Efia Odo has initiated a discourse about national identity and the diaspora's ties to Ghana, as well as the economic, social, and emotional aspects influencing the choices made by Ghanaians residing overseas.

The Ghana Statistical Service's 2021 Population and Housing Census Thematic Report, which was made public in March, indicates that the number of Ghanaians who left the country and relocated abroad increased somewhat in 2021.

With Europe, the Americas (North, South, and Caribbean), and African nations outside of ECOWAS as their top travel destinations, the number rose to 269,531 from 250,624 in 2010.

Reasons

According to the report, the two major reasons the respondents gave for travelling outside the country were to seek employment (73.3 per cent) and to pursue education/training (14.6 per cent). Others cited marriage/family reunification and settlement (long-term/permanent stay) as their reasons for relocation.