Connecting with My Roots: A Journey to Ghana
- Study Twi Team
- Nov 11
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to truly connect with your roots when you travel to Ghana? For many of us in the diaspora, visiting Ghana is more than a vacation; it’s a homecoming filled with emotion, discovery, and cultural pride. In this blog article, we speak with Melissa Koffie, The Global Ghana Girl, a New Jersey–based travel blogger and content creator who shares getaway guides, food reviews, and local adventures across the U.S. and abroad. Passionate about inspiring young corporate professionals to live vibrantly beyond the 9–5, Melissa reflects on her first trip to Ghana. From meeting extended family to exploring vibrant markets, she appreciates the beauty of language and heritage. Read on as she shares what made her travel to Ghana such a memorable and meaningful experience.
Memorable Experiences in Ghana
What is your most memorable experience when you travel to Ghana and why does it stand out?
My most memorable experience from my travel to Ghana is something so simple yet so profound: meeting extended family members for the first time, such as my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Going back home to Ghana was something that I had always dreamed about when I was little. So, visiting for the first time with my family was an awesome experience!
Some specific moments that stand out to me are laughing, dancing, singing, and enjoying home-cooked meals with family. I also loved exploring the vibrant Ghanaian markets. The sights, smells, and sounds of the atmosphere were incredible! Venturing to the countryside to visit the villages where my father and grandmother grew up was equally special. The experience of visiting my ancestral homeland for the first time stands out to me because I had the opportunity to spend valuable time with family, immerse myself in the culture, and live like a local.
Surprising Discoveries in Ghana
Did you discover anything about Ghana that surprised you on your visit?
I was genuinely astonished by the significant global influence that exists in Ghana, encompassing restaurants, real estate, music, fashion, and more. For example, I was surprised to see KFC and Pizza Hut when I visited Ghana for the first time. I learned that they are popular restaurants there. I understand (and can even appreciate) that there are benefits to globalisation. However, my hope is that we can continue to preserve our local cultures and traditions.
Tips for First-Time Visitors
If you could give one tip to someone visiting Ghana for the first time, what would it be?
I would encourage anyone interested in travel to Ghana to learn as much as they can about the local culture(s), including traditions, customs, languages, cuisine, etc. In my experience, locals tend to appreciate it when tourists take the time to respectfully engage with and understand their culture. Learning a few greetings and phrases, along with general etiquette before visiting, will make a huge difference. I believe that putting true effort into learning more about the country you're visiting yields a more rewarding and memorable experience.
The Importance of Language
Was Speaking or Studying Twi or any Ghanaian language important in your family growing up? Why or why not?
While Twi was not spoken in my home growing up, as a Ghanaian, I see the value of learning the Twi language. My family is Ewe, so the Ewe language is what my parents spoke at home, in addition to English. As such, there was no significant need for learning Twi when I was growing up. However, now that I'm older, I think there is a benefit to learning Twi, especially since I anticipate traveling to Ghana more often. Since Twi is the most widely spoken indigenous language, I think it would help me navigate the country more easily and speak to people in various settings.
Benefits of Learning Twi
For someone considering studying Twi for their visit and travel to Ghana, what personal benefit or challenge would you share?
Personally, I haven't experienced any benefits or challenges as I haven't yet learned Twi. However, I believe that someone who wants to travel to Ghana would benefit greatly from learning the language, as it's the most prominently spoken indigenous language in Ghana. I would say: be open to the process of learning the language and have fun!
About Melissa Koffie
I am a travel blogger and content creator based in New Jersey. I share getaway guides, food reviews, and fun things to do throughout NJ and the Greater Philadelphia region. I'm passionate about sharing my travel experiences and encouraging young corporate professionals like myself to live vibrantly outside the 9-5. To date, I've visited about half of the states in the U.S. and six countries. Some of my favourite places I've visited are Ghana, Thailand, Canada, Providence, Rhode Island, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, the Brandywine Valley, and the Hudson Valley.
This is part of our series on why speaking or studying Twi matters (or doesn’t) to different people in the Ghanaian diaspora. Stay tuned for the next part, where we’ll hear more unique perspectives and personal stories. If you’d like to join the conversation and feature in our blog, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and share your experience with us.
Explore Learning Twi
If you're interested in diving deeper into the Twi language, consider our offerings:
Comments