Actress returns to Ghana after 34 years
Actress Dayan Kodua returns to Ghana after 34 years; Reconnecting with her roots and mission
Ghanaian-born actress, author, and philanthropist Dayan Kodua has returned to Ghana after spending 34 years in Germany, where she carved out an impressive career in the international entertainment, fashion, and publishing industries.
rriving at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Kodua received a warm welcome, visibly moved by the homecoming. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she addressed the media, recalling the emotional significance of the moment.
“I left Ghana when I was just ten years old,” she said. “Coming back to Ghana is like being more grounded to my root.”
Kodua first captured global attention in 2001 when she became the first Black woman to win the Miss Schleswig-Holstein beauty pageant in Germany. Since then, she has grown into a prominent figure in European media—an actress, model, publisher, and an outspoken advocate for African identity and representation.
Despite her years abroad, Kodua has remained deeply connected to her Ghanaian roots. Of Ashanti heritage, she speaks fluent Twi, along with German, English, and French.
Kodua holds a degree in economics from Kiel University of Applied Sciences. Her pursuit of the performing arts led her to train at prestigious institutions including the Coaching Company Berlin, Theater of Arts, and the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Los Angeles.
Her acting career includes appearances in internationally acclaimed productions such as Boston Legal, Passions, Crank, and several German television series. She has also graced runways for high-profile designers like Thierry Mugler, Escada, and Versace.
In 2005, she was named an honorary cultural ambassador for the African continent in Germany, a testament to her enduring efforts to elevate African narratives abroad.
Her work as a publisher further underscores her commitment to representation. Kodua founded her own publishing house, Gratitude Verlag, becoming the first Black woman to do so in Germany. Through this platform, she published My Black Skin: Black. Successful. German., a book profiling 25 successful Afro-German personalities. In 2019, she expanded her influence into children’s literature with the release of Odo, a book that promotes diversity and cultural identity for young readers.
Dayan Kodua’s return to Ghana signifies more than just a personal journey—it marks a reintegration with her roots and a renewed commitment to contribute to national development through arts, education, and cultural advocacy.
Her next steps in Ghana are expected to include engagements in local film and publishing projects, philanthropic work, and youth empowerment initiatives.
