Meet the lady behind Villa Diaspora, Michelle Konadu. I met Michelle during my first trip to Ghana through a mutual friend I also met in Ghana that same year in 2017. I vividly remember Michelle explaining to me this house that she was doing up so she could eventually host visitors. Three years later and it is fair to say mission accomplished! Congratulations to Michelle for completing this masterpiece. Find out more about Villa Diaspora and Ms. Konadu’s story in my interview with her below.

Enjoy!

YT: Hey Michelle, tell us a bit about yourself, and what gave you the idea to start Villa Diaspora?

MK: Hi Yasmin! Oh my, where do I begin?

I am a first-generation Ghanaian-American living and working in Ghana as a Relocation Specialist and consultant, helping make simple transitions into full-time Ghana living. I was born and raised in New York City where I lived before moving to Ghana 5 years ago. I, like many first-generation kids, was (very) often threatened with one way ticketed flights “back to Ghana!” These threats were so terrifying that I’d have never imagined the day would come when I’d voluntarily buy my own one-way ticket “back to Ghana,” but it was honestly one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I got the idea to start Villa Diaspora after a series of awkward encounters, trials, and errors while trying to transition, navigate, and adjust to living in Ghana full time. My goal was to create what I wished existed five years ago when I first made my move to Ghana.

YT: Why did you leave New York?

MK: I’d actually had plans of moving to California before ever considering moving to Ghana. I was approaching a season of my life that I felt required me to change my surroundings. I’d only ever known NYC and though nowhere else ever felt like home (because NYC is a tough act to follow), I was determined to try. It took returning to Ghana in 2015 for my grandfather’s funeral, that's when I knew that I'd found my new home. I was struck by the fact that while I was in Ghana I did not have to worry about being anyone else. I did not have to wear a mask every day of my life, as I navigated the nuances of being a black woman in America. I didn't have to worry about the “well-spoken Black girl,” or the “African, NOT Black girl,” or Black. For the first time, I felt like me first and Black was dead last, I no longer wore it like a cloak, as I had in the States.

To me, that was the definition of home.

As for my decision to settle in Accra (vs any other region), it came down to coming from NYC, its perfect balance of high energy and local culture, coming from NYC, it was a very familiar vibe in a not so familiar place which made it the best place for me.

YT: What would you suggest are the Top 3 places to visit in Accra/Ghana as a visitor?

MK: It’s unfortunate but I find that most people rarely leave Accra when they visit Ghana, but for me, I’ve had my most rewarding experiences outside of Accra. For the education, I’d recommend Manhyia Palace, it is where my education onGhana pre-transatlantic slave trade first began.

Lake Bosomtwi, (also in the Ashanti region) is a must-visit, it has the largest cluster of Black-owned resorts as compared to the most frequently patronized Ghana destinations.

For the soul, I of course recommend Cape Coast. It’s the perfect way to connect with and fill in the pieces of our story for Ghanaians and visitors from the diaspora alike, personally, it helped me put many things into perspective.

YT: Why was the creation of Villa Diaspora important to you?

MK: Many people think moving to ghana is hard, and they are absolutely right! Many of us Returnees and Repatriates did not have a space or community like Villa Diaspora. This is why creating Villa Diaspora was so important to me. I wanted to make what seemed like an impossible dream, become a reality for my fellow African diasporans.

YT: What can people expect from Villa Diaspora?

MK: People can expect a community where you can fully immerse yourself into true Ghana culture and live with a knowledgeable team, a team of people who have been in your shoes and can better direct you (hold your hand) no matter your needs. Additionally, you can expect a space where you may live for as long or a little as you may need, while seeing if Ghana is for you or until you are comfortable setting out on your own.

I decided Villa Diaspora would function best as a co-living space so that residents can live with and learn from people who are also on the same path of repatriation.

Returning to the Motherland means so much to those of us who have committed ourselves to this journey of reconnection. Yet, unfortunately, as with any place, you do run the risk of either meeting to wrong people or unintentionally alienating the very locals you've repatriated hoping to connect with. When tarnished, a move that was once a dream can suddenly turn into an emotional setback, this is what I want to help people avoid by staying at Villa Diaspora during their transition.

Having lived in the states and now living in Ghana, I created Villa Diaspore to function as the bridge that connects the African Diaspora and Ghana. In addition to our co-living space, we also provide consultation services, real estate services, and curriculums based on your unique needs while also providing much-needed support when moving to Ghana.

YT: Would you recommend moving to Ghana alone as a woman?

**MK:** I would absolutely recommend it! While it's easy to believe most African countries view women with disdain, the truth is Ghana is a relatively safe African country for femaleness ex-pats, repatriates, and returnees alike! Additionally, as a single mother, I can also attest that it is very mother-friendly.

YT: Do you have any advice for people who are looking to relocate to an African country?

MK: Yes, visit the country first! I cannot stress this enough! There's only one way to know if a particular country is for you, visit! You can plan many things on paper but as far as relocating to an African country is concerned, many things must be experienced with the senses. Experiencing the lifestyle of your prospective new home is crucial to your adjustment and assimilation into the culture.

YT: Where can we find out more about Villa Diaspora?

MK: Villa Diaspora Officially opens its doors in November 2020, but you can book a call with me to talk all things ‘Moving to Ghana’ on our website www.Villadiaspora.com by clicking the link in our Instagram bio over at @Villa.Diaspora.

DISCOVER: VILLA DIASPORA IN GHANA WITH MICHELLE KONADU