Ground Reference for multi layer board
Show us your layer stack-up.
Currents always get the fastest R and L path to go back to the GND pole of the connector of your board.
Let's call HOME that pole.

To answer your question:
If you route a fast switching GND signal to follow a longer path to go HOME than you increase emitted RF radiations.
Parasitic inductance of wires and planes in your board are antennas. Maybe they are inefficient antennas, but still antennas.

To confine RF radiations inside the inner layers, just remember to add stiching GND vias around the perimeter of the board.
At CISCO they use a step of 2.5 mm.
Vias' drill minimum diameter 0.3 mm.
They will create a sort of a Faraday's cage for RF radiations.