Introduction

There are many things I miss about Ghana, and I hope to return someday. As I sit back and reminisce, a few things come to mind that I truly miss at this moment. Interestingly, these are also things that feel absent from my life here in the U.S., which might be why I miss them even more. In this blog, I’ll be sharing some of those memories, from the strong sense of community and the vibrant everyday sights and sounds to my grandma’s cooking, fresh local foods, and the laid-back lifestyle. I love the USA, but these are some of the things I miss most about Ghana.

Community and Family

Every day, I would wake up and eat breakfast, which typically consisted of tea and bread. Sometimes I had to rush because my grandma would say, “So and so is coming today!” And, sure enough, As-salaam-alaikum—someone would be at the door. The rush was on, as I’d be sprawled out in the middle of the room and had to either consolidate my breakfast or move it to the hall. I miss someone visiting the house every day, being able to go to multiple family members’ homes, and how everything shut down on Sundays. There were also weekly Sunday soccer games and an active neighborhood buzzing with life.

With all that activity around me, it was more than just people—it was the energy, the environment.

Sights, Smells, and Sounds

Ghana is full of interesting sights, smells, and sounds that kept me on my toes. I was always discovering something new and unexpected. Sunday mornings were especially lively, starting at around 6 a.m. with the rump pum pum of the church next to my grandmother’s house. By 7 a.m., a big group of kids and young adults would gather for their weekly soccer game, which they never missed. There’s no sleeping through that! Even though it was sometimes annoying or inconvenient, looking back, I appreciate those sounds because they made the neighborhood feel alive and connected.

Here in the States, particularly in the suburbs where I live, you walk outside and hear… silence. It’s rare to see kids playing outside or even see your neighbors. In Ghana, people would gather for weddings, funerals, evening celebrations, and those Sunday soccer games. I loved people-watching and observing the culture. Even though it’s my heritage, I wasn’t born into it, so there’s always something new to learn with everything I see in Ghana.

It wasn’t just about the noise, though—it was about how those moments made me feel connected to the people around me, to my surroundings.

My Grandma’s Cooking

My grandma’s cooking is something I can never get enough of. On my first night there, she made me fufu from pounded yams and cassava with peanut butter stew—also known as groundnut stew. It’s a traditional dish made with peanut butter, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and a protein. In my case, it was lamb with all the trimmings cut off because she knows I like my meat lean. I love my grandma and appreciate that she takes the time to do things like that for me. I also enjoy it when she shows me around town or gives me advice about life. I was raised to respect my elders, and I hold on to the teachings I grew up learning from my parents. I believe they are necessary and helpful. Elders have been around much longer than we have, so they carry valuable knowledge passed down through stories and experiences.

In the same way that her meals were fresh and nourishing, everything in Ghana felt real and unprocessed—especially the food.

Fresh, Flavorful Food

Fresh food in Ghana tastes like actual food. I’m not the biggest fan of tomatoes, but I’ll eat them depending on the dish and my mood. One thing I noticed is that tomatoes in Ghana have flavor! It made me realize how processed and bland a lot of food in the U.S. is. I even experienced it firsthand with European Pringles exported to Ghana—they didn’t taste as good as the American version, in my opinion, but they were more real, less processed, and had fewer ingredients. It’s no wonder certain foods are banned in Europe but allowed in the U.S., like Red 40 and other additives.

This difference in the quality of food mirrors the slower pace of life in Ghana, where people take their time to enjoy the simpler things.

Laid-back, Old-time Feel

Time in Ghana operates differently. In the U.S., everything is always on the go. It’s all about being productive and filling every second of the day—”Hello, I got places to be,” as Fred Again or Anderson .Paak would say. But in Ghana, people don’t mind taking time to sit with you or help a fellow human out. This laid-back attitude can sometimes be a disadvantage, especially with bureaucracy, but it’s refreshing to not always feel like you have to be on the move. It’s also like stepping back in time—technology isn’t as prevalent in some parts of Ghana, so things like cooking outside on a fire are still normalized. Kids play outside, older cars and antiques are common, and there’s a strong sense of tradition passed down through generations.

It’s in this laid-back atmosphere that I found a deeper connection with the world around me—through food, family, and the rhythm of everyday life.

Conclusion

In reflecting on all the things I miss about Ghana—the sense of community, the vibrant sounds, my grandma’s cooking, the fresh food, and the laid-back pace of life—I’ve realized how deeply those experiences have shaped me. While the U.S. has its own advantages, Ghana gave me something special: a connection to culture, tradition, and a slower, more meaningful way of living. These memories remind me of the value in simplicity and in staying close to the things that truly matter. I hope to return soon and, until then, stay tuned for more content about Ghana, travel, and life in general. Thanks for reading!