A chance roadside encounter in Berlin has turned into a nationwide conversation after an elderly Ghanaian man was filmed warning a younger countryman against returning to Ghana unless he had amassed serious wealth abroad. The clip, which has spread rapidly across Ghanaian social media, captures a dilemma that many in the diaspora say they live with quietly for years.
In the video, the older man tells the younger one that going home only to struggle and die under pressure is worse than staying abroad and facing hardship there. He explained that unless someone has billions, they should not attempt to resettle in Ghana, because the pressure back home "will kill you." This blunt advice has sparked a wider conversation about the challenges faced by Ghanaians abroad.
The man explained his own circumstances as the reason he has chosen to remain in Germany rather than return home. He said he has a daughter working as a nurse and twins who are also employed, yet still feels compelled to stay abroad because of the financial expectations that would await him in Ghana. He cited the financial burden of supporting family members as a major reason for his decision.
The video has reignited long-standing discussion of what is widely known as "black tax" — the informal but often intense obligation felt by relatively better-off family members, particularly those who have travelled abroad, to financially support relatives, extended family and community members back home. This phenomenon has significant implications for Ghanaians living abroad.
For many Ghanaians abroad, returning home with visible success such as a car, a house, or steady foreign income can trigger expectations of continuous financial support from siblings, parents, in-laws and even distant relations, making resettlement financially draining rather than restful. This has led some to delay or avoid returning home altogether.
The remarks resonate with a segment of the Ghanaian diaspora who weigh the comparative hardships of life abroad — including menial or physically demanding jobs — against the social and financial pressures of returning home. This dilemma highlights the complexities of maintaining ties with family and community while pursuing a better life abroad.
As of now, there has been no official response from government agencies or diaspora organisations regarding the viral video, and no timeline has been given for any follow-up discussion or intervention on the broader black tax issue the clip has reignited. The identities of the two men in the video have also not been disclosed in the reporting so far.
Key points
- The viral video has sparked a nationwide conversation about the challenges faced by Ghanaians abroad.
- The "black tax" phenomenon has significant implications for Ghanaians living abroad.
- The dilemma highlights the complexities of maintaining ties with family and community while pursuing a better life abroad.
