Name: Dr Bella Bello Bitugu Age: 49years
1. How long have you been away from Ghana? Twenty years
2. Which country did you return from? Austria
3. What is your profession? A PhD holder and Director of the Sport Directorate of the University of Ghana.
4. Did you gain any vocation/ qualification before returning to Ghana? Yes, price MPhil, PhD, and others.
5. Did you learn something new that has influenced you now? Yes
6. What prompted you to return?
To come back home and contribute toward the development of Ghana what I have gained in Austria.
7. Why did you travel? For further education.
8. Have you had any challenges since returning to Ghana, i.e. reintegration, finding a job, accommodation etc.? Not really apart from the emotional ones I may say.
9. What would have made your return easier/smoother? I think so far so good.
10. Have you received any support from your family/state/friends since your return?
Nothing from the state but much from family and friends
11. Will you go back after your project? No and not for now.
12. How do you expect the DSU to assist the Ghanaian Diaspora?
In many ways by providing them information, assisting them in their projects in Ghana, helping with immigration issues and clearance at the ports, connecting them to experts and outfits to deal with their issues etc.
13. Any advice and suggestions for potential returnees?
Come home as nowhere is better than home but before coming explore what you can do and I bet you there is much that can be done and you just need to plan well.
BIO
Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu is an educationist and sociologist with special focus on development and change through sport. A lecturer at the University of Innsbruck and the University of Krems an der Donau both in Austria for more than 15 years, he decided to relocate to Ghana in 2012.
Some of his past experiences included among many others the coordinator for Football for Development project for 5 European countries and 6 African Countries, a member of the board of directors for Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) until 2011, current member of the board for International Sport Platform at the George Mason University in the US, the Ghana fan ambassador to FIFA world cup in Germany 2006, recipient of FIFA Fair Play prize on behalf of world cup fans in Germany, recipient of The Culture Prize of the city of Innsbriuck in 2011 etc.
From April 2012 to August 2013, Dr. Bitugu served as the country manager of Right To Play Ghana, a family of Right To Play International which is the biggest sport for development organisation in the world operating in more than 20 countries.
Since October, Dr Bitugu has been the director of the Sports Directorate of the University of Ghana, Legon.