For many in the African diaspora, the call of the motherland is a powerful force, a longing to reconnect with ancestral roots. For Queen Mother Nana Akosua Seia the I,that call led to a life-changing journey culminating in Ghanaian citizenship and a deep sense of belonging. After nearly two decades in Ghana, she now shares her inspiring story.
A Queen Mother’s Pan-African Roots
Queen Mother Nana Akosua Seia I says that she was raised by a mother who always told her to make sure she and her siblings knew where they came from, and that they were Africans, never forget that. Her upbringing cultivated the Pan-Africanist ideals that would eventually lead her to Ghana.
The Dream of a Big House with a Red Door
She recalled a childhood dream, as told to her by her mother, of living in Africa in a big house with a red door and a leopard as a pet. While she doesn’t remember the dream itself, she believes it was a sign, a connection to her ancestral home woven into her DNA.
DNA Has Memory
“DNA has memory. Because when you have a child, why does the child come out looking like you, right? Because it has memory. Whether it was good or bad, we remember things in our subconscious, in a state, in a plane that a lot of us probably can’t tap into all the time.”
A Safe Continent for Everyone
“I basically tell people, or maybe the diasporas, that Africa is really a safe continent for you to come because, I always keep telling you, pack your box and come to Ghana!”
From Egypt to Ghana: Finding Her Place
Queen Mother Nana Akosua Seia I says that she first came to Ghana upon the invitation of a coworker who retired and moved back to his home Ghana. She later says, “I just, I said, this is it. I had already traveled to Egypt and I loved Egypt, and I saw my people there, but not like here.”
From Minority to the Majority: Experiencing Belonging
She expresses the profound experience of going from being a minority in America to landing in a country where everyone looked like her. “When you get on the plane, it’s like, oh my God. You don’t understand how it’s like for us in America where we are the minority, right? And then you get on a plane and everybody is like, looking like you. And then you land, and it’s just the same thing. It was just an amazing experience.”
Rediscovering African Roots in American Traditions
Queen Mother Nana Akosua Seia I reflects on how deeply African culture is woven into American traditions, often without people realizing the origins. She shares fascinating discoveries from her research into her grandmother’s generation, such as the tradition of carrying rabbit’s feet for good luck.
“This was part of our tradition in America,” she says, explaining that enslaved Africans brought this practice with them. The rabbit’s foot symbolized speed and protection for those escaping plantations. This connection to ancestral heritage inspired her to revive and honor these traditions in Ghana.
Another example she mentions is the folk art tradition of hanging colorful glass bottles on trees, common in the southern United States. Unbeknownst to many, this practice traces back to the 9th century Congo people. According to legend, these blue bottles have healing powers and trap evil spirits around the home, preventing them from entering.
“It’s amazing how many cultural practices we’ve retained, often unaware of their true African origins,” she remarks. Even everyday words like “Mama,” commonly used in America, have African roots.
Championing African Diaspora Culture Through Media
Queen Mother Nana Akosua Seia I previously hosted a radio show called Finding Spirit, which focused on connecting the African diaspora through culture, business, and community. The program explored the ties between African cultures and those in the Americas, highlighting shared histories and traditions.
Her current work in video programming continues this mission, offering a platform to share African stories and experiences with a wider audience.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Resilience
Despite her passion and dedication, Queen Mother Nana Akosua Seia I acknowledges the difficulties she has faced along the way. Sensitive by nature, she has learned to toughen up in the face of adversity.
One painful experience involved accusations of financial impropriety related to her nonprofit work in Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Though cleared by the Council of Elders in Los Angeles, the allegations threatened her reputation and career.
“It was devastating,” she admits, “because it could have taken my job.”
A Call for Unity and Positivity
Reflecting on these challenges, she emphasizes the importance of love, support, and positive energy within the African diaspora.
“I just wish that, and this goes for us all in the diaspora, we need to love each other more, and we need to be happy for each other more. Send good vibrations to each other,” she urges.
She believes that by embracing unity and collaboration, the global African community can achieve incredible things.
“I don’t understand why we want to hurt each other on any kind of level,” she says, “It still hurts me to this day.”
Adjusting to Life in Ghana: Challenges and Triumphs
Queen Mother Nana Akosua Seia I reflects candidly on her early days in Ghana, arriving in 2004. She recalls a humorous yet telling moment when she cried because she couldn’t find a bag of potato chips, something she was addicted to back in America. While it might seem minor, it represented the many small adjustments she had to make when relocating.
Despite such challenges, she quickly fell in love with the people, the lush greenery, and the freshness of the food. At the time, being a vegan presented another unique challenge, as the concept was not well known locally. Her husband would joke, saying she “only eats leaves.” Yet, she embraced the lifestyle and the culture wholeheartedly.
Planning for Success: A Strategic Move
Understanding the importance of preparation, Nana Akosua emphasizes that relocating requires more than just desire. “You have to be ready. You have to have a plan,” she says. She made a strategic plan to relocate successfully—not just to enjoy life in Ghana but to build a foundation strong enough to bring her family over.
Her vision included creating a comfortable and financially secure environment for her mother and children, many of whom have since visited or lived with her in Ghana.
Family Ties: Bringing Loved Ones Home
Her children and mother have experienced Ghana firsthand. Her daughter lived with her for six months during the COVID pandemic and plans to settle in Ghana permanently. A budding fashion designer, her daughter runs a line called “Biscuits and Monsters,” which has been gaining traction.
Despite raising her children in African clothes and traditions, her daughter has chosen to forge her own path, blending unique styles that reflect both heritage and individuality.
Connecting Through Media: The ‘Finding Spirit’ Radio Show
Before hosting her current program, Nana Akosua was the voice behind the radio show “Finding Spirit,” which aired on inLight Radio and Living in Black Radio online. Launched in 2005 after her enstoolment as a queen mother, the show focused on the African diaspora, exploring culture, business, and entrepreneurship across the continent and beyond.
She connected listeners with stories from the Caribbean, South and Central America, reinforcing the rich cultural ties that link Africans globally. “A lot of people say we don’t have culture there, but it’s not true. We held on to a lot of things,” she explains.
