The Too Known Podcast

In part II of our exploration of second-generation experiences across Africa, we interview Rania Amin, who is a second-generation Sudanese diaspora woman, born and raised in the UAE. Rania joins us to share her experience of being Sudanese in the UAE, how the ongoing conflict in Sudan has influenced her connection to her homeland, and the ways she is preserving Sudanese cultural heritage for her children.

When we think about African migration, the stories we hear most often center on journeys to Europe or North America. But did you know that the majority of African migrants actually move within the African continent? In addition, while African migration to the West is often the most recognized, many migrants have been moving to non-traditional destinations. Over the past three decades, as transnational flows have increased, countries like the UAE and Turkey have welcomed waves of African migrants. Within these regions, Africans are not only building vibrant communities but also creating networks, businesses, and cultural spaces that sustain and support their diaspora. In this episode, we’re shifting the narrative by de-centering migration to the West and highlighting movement to other global regions. We speak with second-generation Africans whose sense of home and belonging is shaped by their parents’ migration to non-traditional host countries. What molded their journeys? How did they navigate identity, belonging, and the realities of moving within these places? Join us as we explore their stories. In the first part of this topic, we interview Sahra Ahmed Koshin, a Somali-Dutch PhD candidate at the Universities of Copenhagen and Nairobi, specializing in the Horn of Africa Diaspora. Her current research draws on feminist principles of ethics of care and care-based, relational humanitarianism.

Returning to one’s homeland after living abroad is an important aspect of the diaspora experience, often referred to as return migration in academic literature. The reasons for return can vary—some people are compelled to leave due to challenges such as deportation, conflict in the country of settlement, or personal hardship, while others return under less stressful circumstances, such as completing their education, retiring, or seeking professional opportunities back home. For those returning by choice, it’s not just first-generation immigrants making the journey back—second-generation diasporas are also choosing to return. Having grown up outside their countries of heritage, many are now exploring life in their ancestral homeland. What does it really mean to "return" to a place you've never lived in? Do second-generation returnees genuinely feel at home when they move back, or does the idea of "home" become even more complicated? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Pearl Boateng about her own return journey. Dr. Pearl Boateng is a second-generation British-Ghanaian, who has been living in Ghana since 2021.

In this episode, we focus on 1.5 and second-generation Ghanaian diasporans and their unique role in shaping and consuming African pop culture. From music and fashion to film and social media, how do 1.5 and second gens bridge their identities through cultural expression? We’ll also dive into the impact of initiatives like Ghana's Year of Return and Beyond the Return, exploring how they’ve influenced 1.5  and second-generation identity and sparked new conversations around cultural connection and pride.Beyond that, we’ll unpack "diaspora wars" and the complexities of inter-diaspora relationships—how 1.5 and second gens relate not only to those back home but also to other African diaspora communities. Through this lens, we’ll explore how 1.5 and second gens are building their own cultural worlds, reimagining heritage, and contributing to the vibrant, global African cultural narrative. Join us for a lively discussion about identity, cultural consumption, and creativity in the diaspora.

In this episode, Dr. Rita and Dr. Kirstie sit in conversation and discuss our doctoral research. We alternate roles as interviewer and interviewee, unpacking the key themes, debates, and arguments shaping our work. The episode begins with Dr. Kirstie’s research on second generation Ghanaians in the US, UK, and Ghana, before moving to Dr. Rita’s work on 1.5 and second generation Ghanaians in Canada and Ghana. We call this episode Too Known, which reflects our choice to own the label.  

Get ready for "The Two Known Podcast"! Join Dr. Rita Nketia and Dr. Kirstie Kwarteng as they dive into the vibrant world of Ghanaian diaspora youth. We're exploring identity, pop culture, and the bold, confident energy of a generation redefining what it means to be Ghanaian abroad. 🇬🇭✨ Discover how they're challenging norms, shaping new narratives, and crafting their own paths home.