This is me in 1998, standing at Kotoka International Airport in Accra with Pearl, a family friend who worked there. The photo captures a moment of excitement and innocence as I began to explore a side of my heritage that, up until then, I only knew through stories.

I remember the dress I’m wearing vividly—I made it myself. At the time, I aspired to be a fashion designer and often sewed many of my clothes. That passion for creating, for putting my personal touch on what I wore, reflected a larger theme of individuality and discovery that was at the core of this trip.

Less than a year after graduating university, this journey was meant to be just a visit, a way to connect with family, experience Ghana’s culture firsthand, and soak in the environment I’d heard so much about. What I didn’t realize was how transformative it would be.

Ghana in 1998 was full of life in a different way that you see in today’s Accra, The city had not developed to where it is today, but it was filled with the warmth of the people. The rich cultural heritage was, and still is a key part of life in Ghana. It was overwhelming at times because I had to adjust to not only being in an unfamiliar place but also meeting and building new relationships with family I never knew. Family that were only names I heard my parents speak about. It was a deeply grounding experience. I was beginning to see the layers of this country—the beauty, the challenges, and the untapped potential.

I started to see the opportunity to start a handbag line and connected with someone who made woven bags. It was a venture I jumped into that quickly failed because of lack of consistency and the unstable Cedi making it hard for production pricing. Every week the man who was weaving the bags was giving different prices. So I dropped the idea altogether after a few short months.

I made friends and built a strong foundation with family. I socialized going to restaurants and experiencing the nightlife with my cousin. There was a club called Bus Stop that I remember. I quickly connected with the music of hip-life, feeling the deep connection with hip hop music fused with Ghanaian highlife. I ended up buying cassette tapes in the market, including Reggie Rockstone’s single ‘Plan Ben’.

Back then, I had no solid plans to live in Ghana. I saw it as a destination to visit occasionally, not as a place where I’d build a life or career. Yet, that trip unknowingly planted a seed within me, a connection to Ghana that would grow over time.

Now, 27 years later, here I am, living in Ghana, contributing in ways I never imagined. My work today is centered on changing the narrative of Africa, showcasing its beauty, its innovation, and its endless possibilities to the world. My work has included two national campaigns (Year of Return & Beyond the Return social media), documentary news and film production, hosting a TV series in Ghana and sharing content with the world through my YouTube platform.

Looking back at that young woman in the photo, I see someone who had no idea of the journey that lay ahead. Ghana wasn’t just a place I visited, it became a part of me, shaping my purpose and inspiring my path.

Sometimes, the seeds of our future are planted long before we realize their significance. For me, this trip in 1998 was exactly that; a seed that has blossomed into a life filled with passion, purpose, and pride in being part of Ghana’s story.

Do you have moments like these? Times when a seemingly ordinary trip or encounter turned out to shape the course of your life? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear them.