Swedes in Ghana

Sigtuna Swedish flag, Ghanaians, Ghana, SwedenSurprisingly, there are a lot of cool young Swedish people in Ghana.

I say “surprisingly” only because Sweden and Swedes do not really have any strong ties to Ghana; no embassy, weak colonial connections, some mining business, but nothing major. Of course it is not surprising Swedes go south – where else would we go?

Since almost two years I know Maya Maame, a Swedish/Ghanaian blogger.  A few weeks ago I wrote about two Swedish DJ’s coming to Ghana (on their blog you currently get a teaser to their mix tape Gold Coast Rising!), but now it has exploded and I have also met engineers, business women, students, IT professionals, diplomats and a shipping agent!

To keep track of all these adventurous, beautiful and fun (the much missed irony, mostly) Swedish folks I started a Facebook group: Ghanasvenskar.  If you speak Swedish, understand the concept “fika” and you are in Ghana, you are welcome!

Pic: Some Ghanaians and a Swede in Sigtuna, Sweden.

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3 Comments

  1. Hey; so here are the reasons why Swede’s go to Ghana: )

    “I say “surprisingly” only because Sweden and Swedes do not really have any strong ties to Ghana; no embassy, weak colonial connections, some mining business, but nothing major”.
    Most Swede’s in Ghana are volunteers or ex-volunteers ‘staying’ for various reasons! One of my NGOs partner is Volontarresor who sends 1000 volunteers around the world each year. Most people wants to go to Africa. Most people wants to go to Ghana because:

    1. We speak english here!
    2. Its the safest country in Africa (Africa for beginners)
    3. diversified country (dessert, rain forest, Savannah, we got it all!)

    Of course it is not surprising Swedes go south – where else would we go?
    Where else would we go in Africa?! 🙂 Our french is terrible; people are afraid of Nigeria
    and South Africa is considered by most Swedes’s to be developed or not Africa. Namibia is only animals and the rest is french.. This is not my opinion but an average Swede who thinks that there might me 10-15 countries in Africa ! (Correct number 53)

    Anyways; hope to talk more with you about Ghana and life soon. I will fly in from Hong Kong on the 25th of May or so.. Might stop over in Ethiopia for a few days.

    Yours in service,

    Sebastian

  2. Sebastian, Thanks for enlightening us. You are probably right when you say most Swedes come to Ghana as volunteers. The interesting thing is that none of the Swedes I have met recently are volunteers, rather professionals.

    Let me know when you are in and I will buy you a cold Star!

  3. Hi Kajsa! Thanks for your comments on my comment.. ! Arriving 1.30 Pm on the 31st of May! feel free to email me (sebastian@lightforchildren.com) your number and I can call and see if you are available for a star! I plan to meet up with Holli that night and go up to Kumasi the day after! Perhaps we could all join in together… Talk with Holli and see ‘what’s up’.

    The pro’ people you meet in Ghana work for MTG’s Viasat1 or?! hehe; Just a guess.

    Talk soon!