Living In Ghana Has Taught Me RESILIENCE After Being Gracefully Broken!

I remember the day I made the biggest decision of my life; leaving my comfort zone of New York City and moving to Accra, Ghana. This was a career move. I have a degree in TV/Radio Communications & Public Relations and had gained extensive knowledge of my field in five years and thought, it would be a great addition to the growing Ghanaian industry. I was enthused by this move because I knew the direction I was heading into. 

Just as I arrived to Ghana, I started working with Global Media Alliance; eTV Ghana to be exact. I quickly climbed the ladder at the entertainment desk; I was putting in the work, work, work. From sitting in time to time for Caroline Sampson (a VETERAN in the GH industry who entrusted me with her show) to producing the hottest entertainment news to becoming  head of the entertainment desk; I was giving my all and I had a team who quickly became family. I don't want to name names because if I accidentally forget anyone, I will be upset with myself but they know who they are. I remember the team being so excited about The Sincerely, Vee Show because four years ago when the show was launched there was no other female-related show airing for this particular demographic that it was aimed towards. YFM quickly became home as I began my radio career.

After two and a half years of continued happiness within my growing career at Etv, I just felt it was time for a change. Not knowing, this change wouldn't be what I expected. I wouldn't say regret started sinking in but I was unhappy but I had to suck it up and I did or at least I tried to. I thought this change would bring a next level of growth but it didn't. I will never forgot the day I was told, "I don't know why you're complaining about tweeting for our social media account, you have to start from somewhere." My mind was completely BLOWN. That was the day I realized my worth wasn't truly recognized for not only what I have a degree in but the years of hands on learning I had received. In the sense of, my resume speaks volumes. What I came to do was being sidelined for whatever reasons. Sincerely, Vee, which had truly grown immensely at Etv was being tossed around. The SV brand is my baby, which I created almost 10 years ago, and I fight blood, sweat and tears for it. It's my creation. It's my vision. Imagine, everything you've worked so hard for is slowly disappearing right before your eyes. It's not a good feeling. 

There was a period in the past two/three years where I was completely shattered. BROKEN. Anyone who knows me, knows my career is my everything. Since a very young age, I knew what I wanted to be, what my path was and as soon as the opportunity came about I grabbed it and ran with it. As a whole, my career became stagnant. NO movement. It was very scary. Nonetheless, my ideas were being implemented somewhere else. Meaning, my creative ideas were the bomb.com but people didn't want it to shine under me. 

As they say, after every storm comes a rainbow. As I celebrate five years in Ghana, I feel whole again and it's one of the greatest feelings. You know why? Because my darkest career period has made me so much stronger and i'm proud of my resilience. It allowed me to search within and realize, "All that i've been working on relentlessly is my path." I'm proud that although I had a period of being broken, I never gave up on my career that i've been building for almost 10 years. Prayer is POWERFUL.  

With that being said, for anyone reading this who feels as though they are not enough; who feels as though your efforts are not being recognized; who feels like giving up.....I'm telling you, YOU ARE ENOUGH. Focus on your growth and disconnect from anyone or anything distracting you from reaching your fullest potential. What is meant for you is meant for you. The road will not always be smooth but it's yours. 

5 years in Ghana. To be honest, I never imagined living outside of New York City but hey, Accra is now home. The number 5 symbolizes God's grace, goodness and favor toward humans. I call this chapter; BLOOM. 

To my few close friends and family, you've been riding this roller coaster with me these past five years and I am so, so, so grateful. 

With that being said, let's pop some champagne for Vanessa Gyan Productions, Sincerely, Vee, The Post Pregnancy Boujie Express, Bon Pour Les Bebe, The Focus on Your Education Program and of course, VanessaGyan.com!

"Sometimes you have to throw a crown on and remind them who they're dealing with." - Unknown