Returning to Ghana Reminded Me of Industry Changes

Greetings Reader,

The only thing that is constant is change.

People change. Experiences change people. Even the places we carry in our memories change.

I was reminded of that recently.

I arrived in Ghana again for the first time since 2011.

Fourteen years is a long time.

And if I’m honest… nothing looks the same.

The roads feel different. There’s more unfinished roads and highways. The buildings feel different. There are even more buildings being built. The energy of the city feels different.

But what surprised me the most wasn’t just how Ghana has changed.

It was realizing how much I have changed too.

The version of me who was here in 2011 was still becoming, experiencing things for the first time. It was my first sense of independence.

Still learning. Still figuring out how I saw the world differently. Still discovering what it meant to move through life with intention. Still discovering the power of using my voice.

Now I’m walking these same streets with a different lens.

Older. More reflective. More confident. More aware of how experiences shape us in ways we don’t always see in the moment.

Travel does that.

It reminds you that life is not static. It reminds you that there is not one way of life.

Places evolve. People evolve. And the meaning of our experiences evolves too.

Take that into consideration when you observe your place in the world where there are shifts in how we travel, shifts in how we consume and create our stories, shifts in how we utilize artificial intelligence.

I’ve been exploring Ghana again — taking it in slowly, observing what feels familiar and what feels new.

And when I return from my tour through the cities, I’ll share more about what I experienced and what it stirred in me on my Substack. For now, I will say that Ghana is preparing for their 70th independence day which is a great time to add Ghana to your future retreat experience with me.

Sometimes the most powerful stories don’t happen while we’re moving through a place.

They reveal themselves after we pause, reflect and observe.

Until then, I’m simply allowing myself to witness the changes while I build my network.

I’m here when you are ready to book a one on one strategy session for your branding, storytelling, and advocacy by clicking here:

With love, Zaakirah

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I am Zaakirah (zaa-key-ra) Muhammad, a deafblind retinoblastoma cancer survivor, creative tech-savvy entrepreneur and TEDx speaker, with over a decade of experience in photography and digital communications. As a brand cultivating strategist, author, and podcaster, I empower you to step outside of your comfort zone, understand your purpose, and show you how to powerfully tell your story through digital marketing. As your brand therapist, I uncover your blind spots showcasing your superpower. Learn More ​ $9.99 Seeing Life Through a Different Lens eBook This book will inspire you to overcome adversity with resilience. Featuring real-life stories about a young adult and… Read more Get it now! ​ P.S. I am speaking at WITS Chattanooga About Accessible by Design How All Creators Can Build Inclusive, Empathetic Travel Content in the main stage on May 30th! Travel has the power to transform how we see ourselves and connect with others—but not all creators or audiences experience the world the same way. I will share what’s too often overlooked in travel media and the simple, practical shifts that make videos, photos, storytelling, and platforms more accessible to disabled, neurodivergent, and visually impaired audiences, broadening content’s reach and impact. I used to live in Chattanooga and my dad is from a small town an hour away! You will want to stay for the networking, hands-on workshops, and community-led conversations! The code must be entered at the top of the popup window BEFORE selecting the ticket. Code for you only: ZAAKIRAH10 ​https://witsummit.com/wits-chattanooga​ ​ ​ ​ ​​​​​​

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