This article is the third in a three-part series exploring the growing movement of African Americans seeking refuge and reconnection in Ghana.

Time moves differently in Ghana. Conversations stretch, schedules shift and community takes precedence over the clock. For African Americans moving there, adjusting to this cultural rhythm can be one of the biggest challenges.

Ghanaian culture strongly emphasizes family, social hierarchy and communal support. Respect for elders and those of higher status is deeply ingrained, as is the expectation that those with more give to those with less. These acts of generosity, often rooted in spiritual beliefs, reinforce social bonds and a sense of shared responsibility.

“In Ghana, there is a communal culture, but in the U.S., everything is transactional,” said Amma Gatty, Ghanaian-born founder of Cultural Encounters, a nonprofit bridging cultural divides in the Richmond area.

“I know some people who moved there, couldn’t handle the culture, and they’ve come back.”

Gatty immigrated to the U.S. over 20 years ago. She sees the cultural shift as Black Americans’ greatest challenge when they move to Ghana.

“As an American, it’s probably easier to integrate into the culture of a European country than it is to integrate into Ghanaian culture because there’s an individualistic ‘I’ approach to living in Western culture. In Ghana, there’s a communal ‘us’ culture,” she explained.

Integrating into Ghanaian culture is more than learning the importance of greetings or refraining from using the left hand in public—both of which are norms one should know to avoid offending locals.

Shawn Utsey, chair of the African American studies department at Virginia Commonwealth University, has made numerous trips to Ghana, where he met his wife, Akousa, in 2010. While living and teaching there in 2015, he gained a deep understanding of the culture. He strongly encourages Black Americans to shift their cultural perspective when visiting Ghana.

“They’re going with the idea of discovering their roots, and often, they are disappointed,” Utsey said, referring to some Black Americans who move to Ghana.

During one of his visits to Ghana, Utsey explained that he frequented a local market, not to make a purchase, but to observe. He sat and drank tea with the locals, and they eventually accepted him as a ‘nontourist.’ It allowed him to better understand their culture and way of life, highlighting the importance of patience and observation in cultural integration.

“You have to learn to ‘untourist’ yourself. When you’re a tourist, you are treated as such,” he says. Your challenge is to change the relationship.”

Gatty also suspects that some Black Americans move to Ghana with an idealized view of reconnecting with their ancestral homeland. She notes that the more relaxed approach to punctuality can be frustrating for those accustomed to the rigid time schedules of the U.S. In Ghana, relationships and social interactions often take precedence over strict adherence to time. Tasks that take hours in the U.S. can stretch into days or weeks, meaning that building a home or starting a business may require more time and financial investment than expected.

“We are the same people, but we are 400 years removed,” Gatty said. “There is a cultural gap.” Ghana, a former British colony, is predominantly Christian and socially conservative. Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon, and homosexuality is illegal, though LGBTQ+ communities exist in some areas. Gatty recalls feeling stifled by the country’s conservative culture while growing up there.

“I was sent home from church once because I showed up in a pantsuit,” she said. “Public prayer is acceptable at public ceremonies, but I prefer the separation of church and state in the U.S.”

Shadrack Mensah, a teacher at SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College, a prep school in Tema, Ghana, welcomes Black Americans to his homeland. Like Gatty, he was raised with a strong beliefin the deeply rooted extended family support systems in Ghanaian society. He donates half his salary to cover school fees and provide food and books for his nephews.

Mensah wants Black Americans to understand that Ghanaian culture differs significantly from that of the U.S. He notes that traditional practices, such as animal sacrifices and the consumption of monkeys and dogs, can be challenging for some Black Americans to reconcile with their cultural norms.

“We know they’re coming from a different culture, and we respect their differences,” he said, referring to Black Americans in Ghana. “There are organizations that can help them adjust to our culture. People who move here observe and can adjust to our way of life … they become a part of the community.”