The concept of a national dream has long been dominated by the American dream’s focus on individualistic material wealth. However, the #GhanaianDream has firmly established itself through vibrant, passionate social media discussions in Ghanaian circles, centres and communities across X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
What began as scattered digital thoughts coalesced into a unified movement, accurately capturing the sheer diversity of the dreams expressed by everyday citizens, thought leaders, and the youth.
To understand the magnitude of this movement, the campaign driving it should be mentioned. Spearheaded by the GhanaThink Foundation, the #GhanaianDream hashtag was driven in earnest from Ghana’s Independence Day in March 2021 and has continued to fester in its cultural neighbourhood.
The campaign’s digital hub, ghanaiandream.com, allowed users to generate personalised e-flyers featuring their names, photos, and dreams. This was run in conjunction with Moxie Marketing Group. Physical and virtual events, notably via Barcamp Ghana, anchored this vision.
The Virtual Barcamp Ghana 2022, heavily promoted by social media platforms like @The4fricanDream, featured intensive breakout sessions on tech, agriculture, and fact-checking. The founder of TheAfricanDream, Oral Ofori stated this as his #GhanaianDream: “A Ghana that embraces Her history before slavery, learns Her true past and doesn’t fear tomorrows”.
To ensure grassroots participation, networking events, Konnect meetups, were held across several Ghanaian cities including Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Tamale, and Wa. When analysing the crowdsourced dreams, a massive demand for functional institutional systems emerges.
Teresa Lemaire, who is based in Australia, beautifully said: “When I think of home, it is a Ghana where everyone has a fair shot at success. Systems work—you don’t need to know someone to get a business registered, receive quality healthcare, or complete land registration.”
Irene Ali Dery in Accra challenged citizens: “How can we be the change we seek in our leaders… and individually ensure that our Ghanaian dreams materialise?” Leonard Hagan (Accra based) demanded “seamless logistics and organisation in our national events.”
Economic aspirations were equally vocal. CitizenKofi shared a vision of “complete, universal employment for every single able-bodied citizen, with the ultimate goal of entirely eradicating systemic poverty.” On Facebook, a prominent user succinctly captured the mood: “My Ghanaian dream is to see more Factories than Churches, giving more opportunities to the youth and people seeing beyond Party Colours.”
The tech sector saw immense focus, Cecil Senna Nutakor proclaimed: “My #GhanaianDream is for Ghana to birth multiple Startup Unicorns by 2025.” Herbert Acheampong in Takoradi envisioned “young people embracing the use of tech, connecting more, and being available for opportunities.” George Mensah Minyillah focused on “using technology to visualise our future”.
These economic goals were deeply linked to foundational human rights. Duncan Kwame Gablah in Koforidua demanded “a comprehensive change… so that Ghanaians have access to affordable quality health care and quality education.” Terry Afram defined his vision as “an average life expected to be attained by any Ghanaian born or lived… where basic needs are not a struggle.”
Precious Adade stated: “My #GhanaianDream is For Ghana to be a hub that leverages on technology to drive access and improve quality of health.” Gameli Adzaho, who was part of the pioneering teams for Barcamps in Ho and Accra, dreamed of “a Ghana that values science, environment, and public health.” Dr Acquaye championed “a vision of prosperity, equality, and opportunity for all citizens, specifically eradicating poverty.”
Physical infrastructure and the environment were also central. Nana Yaa Ayim expressed a logistical aspiration: “My #GhanaianDream is for people to be able to live in Sunyani and commute to Accra daily due to an efficient train network.” Championed by platforms like @Ghanathink, eco-consciousness grew.
In a 2023 meetup, the Techiman Konnect Group members linked their dream to the #CleanAirGhana movement, seeking “a Ghana with clean air and environmental sanity.” Rukaya Sukah who was the first Coordinator for Barcamp Wa urged “bold thinking and practical action in our communities.”
A powerful undercurrent of patriotism pulsed through the campaign. Ato Ulzen-Appiah painted a narrative of economic patriotism where a citizen puts on in Wear Ghana apparel, Horseman Shoes, and a Caveman Watch. His version stated: “A Ghana where Ghanaians don’t need to travel anywhere else to fulfil their greatest potential.”
Patrick Keli Atitsogbui noted: “It will take the Ghanaian citizen to help achieve these goals… identifying and helping others achieve their dreams.” Twum Nelson shared ambitious dreams of Ghana transforming into the Singapore of Africa. Celebrating intellectual heritage, an Accra-based youth dreamed of “a home for literary art, the foundation of all other sectors for national economic development.”
Justica Anima stated: “My #GhanaianDream is to see young people given enough opportunities for innovation and growth.” Yaw Perbi has passionately challenged the exit narrative, urging the youth “to stay and build… redirecting the determination to leave into making things work in Ghana instead.”
Rachel Anane-Antwi defined her dream as “listening and learning from entrepreneurs… to gather knowledge on challenges and breakthroughs.” Kafui Anson-Yevu envisioned a national ecosystem with “lasting relationships with mentors… linking up for more mentoring even after events.”
The spirit of selfless volunteerism was captured by Eleanor Asare, who declared: “I Made Ghana Better Today! A dream of volunteerism and leadership.” This is line with GhanaThink’s Ghana Volunteer Program, which Eleanor and others led after the success of the first National Volunteer Day in 2013 (#NVDay).
Fiona Wilberforce-Kamau in Tema dreamed of “community connectivity and learning from one another,” while Benjamin Adadevoh envisioned a society where “people come together for opportunities, information, and promotion.”
Finally, the massive global diaspora, engaging through platforms like Beyond The Return, echoed the plea of an anonymous digital user: “Let’s reclaim our Ghanaian dream and heritage… our leaders need to always consider the youth.”
By actively restoring national pride and highlighting the enduring hope of its people, the campaign continues to collate a collective roadmap for building a prosperous and equitable modern African state, Ghana, the one that started the independence trail in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is the Managing Editor of theafricandream.net, a pan-African news website subsidiary of US-based TheAfricanDream LLC. He is also a Human Resource Practitioner, and a freelance Graphics Designer. He has worked with prominent personalities, including ambassadors, secretariats, international organisations, universities, celebrities, NGO, and media firms.
