He Left Everything Behind In Jamaica to Start Over in Ghana

In this episode of "Built for Ghana," I sit down with Kevoy, who journeyed from Jamaica to Ghana with a plan to film a movie, only to find a completely different life and business calling. We dive deep into the unfiltered reality of transitioning from the diaspora to building a sustainable future in West Africa. From the struggles of the Ghanaian acting industry to the "aha!" moment that led to his successful beverage business, Kevoy shares the high-stakes lessons he learned the hard way. We discuss why competition is actually a sign of opportunity, the truth about hiring and work ethics, and why romanticizing Africa can be a costly mistake. Whether you’re curious about the cost of living outside of Accra or looking for a blueprint on how to spot business gaps in a new market, Kevoy’s story is a masterclass in resilience and adaptation. 01:50 – Meet Kevoy: Nationality and moving from Jamaica to Ghana 02:30 – Why Ghana? Comparing the "ceiling" of opportunity to Jamaica 02:56 – The original plan: Moving to Ghana to shoot a Year of Return film 04:08 – Leaving the acting industry: The reality of pay for actors in Ghana 05:50 – Identifying gaps: How to spot business opportunities in a new country 06:37 – "Just Cool": Bringing the Jamaican "bag juice" concept to the Ghanaian market 08:55 – Handling a "copycat" society and why competition is good for distribution 10:10 – The tailoring shop struggle: Dealing with trickery and land issues 13:16 – Hiring in Ghana: The difference between local and expatriate work ethics 14:44 – Ghana Caribbean Week: Connecting the diaspora through major events 16:25 – Working with KKD (His Excellency Kwasi Kyei Darkwah) and government support 19:56 – Success of the Caribbean Week and the "we were stolen, not sold" message 21:32 – Other ventures: Real estate, community centers, and the GCA Gala 22:48 – Financial survival: Living a minimal lifestyle as a "hustler" in Ghana 24:25 – The cost of living: Accra vs. the regions (Eastern Region, Ho, Tamale) 26:00 – The Diaspora trap: Why targeting only tourists is a business mistake 29:40 – Why Koforidua might be the "next big thing" over Accra 31:25 – Why Jamaican culture and business concepts translate so well to Ghana 33:20 – Growing up in Ghana: Life lessons and learning when to walk away 35:00 – Safety in Ghana: Walking anywhere at any time 36:55 – The Chinese business model in Ghana and the power of volume 38:56 – Realistic budgets: Can you actually live on 5,000 GHS a month? 41:20 – Biggest mistakes: Not buying land early and "going too big" too soon 42:50 – The "Romanticizing Africa" warning: Real talk on integration and respect If you would like to support this channel, you can do so by signing up to become a member, or you can donate via PayPal to: paypal.me/naturalghanagirl I have also reopened my consultations. If you would like to book a consultation, you can send me an email to [email protected] You can purchase my Fafa By Dela Whipped Shea Butter Cream here: https://fafabydela.com/ You can sign up to the Diaspora Business Hub here: https://moretodela.com/diaspora-connect/ Don't forget you can sign up to More To Love Matchmaking here: https://moretodela.com/matchmaking You can purchase my book, Eighteen Years: From "I Do" To "What Did I Do" here: Paperback: https://moretodela.com/product/eighte... Ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D94JMCCP?... __________________________________ You can donate to the More To Dela Wellness Foundation by using this link: https://givebutter.com/MTDWF ______________________________________ You can find my course "Move To Ghana with Ease" here: https://moretodela.com/course/move-to... If you have been thinking about moving to Ghana this course is definitely for you. Get all the information you need in one place. ____________________________________ Hi there! My name is Dela, and I moved to Ghana from the UK in 2014. I have been living here with my four children and trying to build a house while establishing the lifestyle that we have craved for years. On this channel, I'll be showcasing what it's like to live in Ghana, be a part of the diaspora, as well as building a house in Ghana and other real estate things. I hope you'll enjoy this channel. Don't forget to subscribe if you do! Nutifafa (Peace) Dela Xx