There are many reasons why you should visit Ghana and the launch of the Year of Return solidified the need for Black people in the diaspora visit to the motherland, at least once in their lifetime. The Year of Return in Ghana was officially launched in 2019 by The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The launch of the initiative marked the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first African slaves in Jamestown, Virginia. This initiative was an invitation for black people in the diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral roots in the wake of racism, police brutality and being sidelined for several decades. Bringing thousands of Black people in the Diaspora to Ghana, the country made a call and the returnees answered.
Ghana, which was once the center of the European slave trade, with 75% of West African slaves passing through its forts and castles across the coast, is now recognized as the gateway to Africa and a beacon for African heritage.
The Year of Return: A Cultural Awakening
The Year of Return was marked by a series of events, festivals, and initiatives aimed at celebrating African heritage and fostering a sense of unity among black people on and off the continent. Some key events included the Afrochella festival, the Panafest, and the Emancipation Day celebrations. These events were not just about entertainment; they were deeply symbolic, offering a space for reflection, education, and cultural exchange.
One of the highlights of the experience for many visitors was visiting the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, which were pivotal in the transatlantic slave trade. Walking through the “Door of No Return,” many felt a profound connection to their ancestors and a renewed sense of identity. During my trips, I have witnessed many people shed tears knowing they have likely returned to the last piece of African soil their ancestors probably walked on before being taken to the “new world”. This experience is a slobbering one.
Why Black People in the Diaspora are visiting Ghana
Thousands of diasporans, of all age groups and social classes have visited Ghana to reconnect with the land of their ancestors. Some returnees seized the opportunity for relaxation and spent invaluable moments with their newfound families. Among the Returnees were African American celebrities like Idris Elba, Naomi Campbell, Steve Harvey, Boris Kudzo, Anthony Anderson and many more.
Why have Black people in the diaspora traveled across oceans just to visit Ghana and what was so special about this journey many of them sought to experience at least once in their lifetime?
- Regaining lost heritage and identity
During the transatlantic slave trade, Africans were forcibly removed from their homelands and stripped of their names, languages, cultures, and connections to their ancestry. Reconnecting with Africa allows black people in the Diaspora to reclaim pieces of their heritage that were taken away through the inhumane system of slavery.
2. Understanding origins and ancestry
With ancestry and genealogical records largely destroyed or unavailable due to slavery, many African Americans feel a void when it comes to knowing their specific ethnic and national origins within Africa. Visiting Africa provides an opportunity to learn about potential ancestral homelands.
3. Racial pride and affirmation
Given the long history of racism, oppression and negative stereotyping faced in some societies, Africa represents the ancestral homeland and a source of racial identity and pride for many black people. Connecting to Africa is seen as an affirmation of their African roots.
4. Experiencing the African Culture
With Africans dispersed globally over centuries, some have traveled to Africa to study the cultures, arts, food and experiences of the people of Africa across the continent and islands.
5. Spiritual connections
For those practicing African diaspora religions like Vodun, Santería or Yoruba, returning to the source in West Africa allows reconnection with the birthplaces of these spiritual traditions.
6. Pan-African consciousness
Some are motivated by a sense of Pan-African unity, seeing all people of African descent as part of a global African family, inspiring them to bridge the divide created by the transatlantic slave trade. This is also a result of their solidarity with the African liberation struggle.
7. “Escape” from racial inequality
For some, the idea of “returning” to Africa represented a dream of leaving behind the harsh realities of institutional racism, and discrimination among many others. Many black communities and movements have promoted repatriation to Africa.
Aim of The Year of Return and Beyond
Promote Tourism in Ghana
The Year of Return and Beyond seeks to promote tourism, and cultural exchange between Ghana and the diaspora. The year of return spurred a vibrant array of events, including musical concerts, international conferences, Afrocentric events, cultural festivals like the popular ‘’angwamo’’ festival, music festivals like Afrochella (now Afrofuture) and Afro Nation, arts festivals and heritage tours and excursions, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world to have a rich experience of Ghana.
Networking and Community Building
The year of return provided a platform for diasporans to form connections, share experiences and build networks with like-minded people from across the globe. These connections not only fostered cultural exchange but facilitated the exploration of investment and business opportunities all across the world. Diasporans looking to invest in the Ghanaian soil skyrocketed. Returnees invested in setting up business and other investments, especially real estate.
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Making Ghana their new home
Since the launch of the Year of Return, thousands of black people in the Diaspora have visited to make Ghana their new home and their safe place after decades of experiencing racism and other social injustices. Many people have also been honored with Ghanaian Citizenship. This is an effort to invite black people in the diaspora to come to Ghana, and finally have a place they can call home.
Citizenship and Residency
In recognition of the historical and cultural ties, Ghana has introduced policies to facilitate citizenship and residency for members of the diaspora. This move not only strengthens the bond between Ghana and the diaspora but also encourages people to consider Ghana as a second home.
Diaspora integration
The initiative seeks to facilitate the integration of diasporans into Ghanaian society and facilitate diaspora participation in various sectors, and foster cultural exchange.
Cultural Exchange and Education
Beyond the Return emphasizes cultural exchange programs that allow people to immerse themselves in Ghanaian culture. This includes educational tours, traditional apprenticeship programs, and language classes. By fostering a deeper understanding of Ghana’s heritage, these programs help to bridge cultural gaps and promote mutual respect.
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Pan-African unity
The campaign aims to foster a deeper sense of Pan-African unity and collaboration by strengthening ties between Ghana and other African nations, as well as the African diaspora worldwide.
Impact of The Year of Return on Ghana
The Year of Return, Ghana in 2019, wasn’t just a symbolic gesture for returnees to reconnect with their African heritage but also, a tool to boost the country’s tourism sector significantly. Below are some of the ways the year of return has impacted on Ghana’s Economy;
The influx of Tourists to Ghana
The initiative was hugely successful in attracting visitors to Ghana, with the country recording over 1 million tourist arrivals in 2019, a significant increase from previous years. The initiative resulted in a significant surge in foreign visits to Ghana, particularly those of African heritage from the diaspora. This led to an increase in flight bookings, hotel bookings and overall tourist spending, resulting in the inflow of foreign currency and overall contributing to the country’s economic revenue.
Increase Revenue
The initiative which increased the arrival of tourists in the country translated into a significant boost to the economy of Ghana. So much revenue was generated from travel and the hospitality industry like hotels, restaurants, tourism companies, travel agencies, souvenir shops and many more. The initiative highlighted various local businesses, including those in the fashion, art, and craft industries. Many visitors purchased locally made products, contributing to the revenue of these small and medium-sized local businesses alike
Job creation
The surge in economic activity related to tourism and hospitality led to job opportunities for Ghanaians in various sectors, including tour guides, hotel staff, and service providers. The job opportunities created by the Year of Return were not limited to the capital city of Accra but extended to other regions and communities across Ghana, providing economic benefits and employment prospects nationwide.
Infrastructural development
The Year of Return led to a higher investment in tourism infrastructure. Hotels, restaurants, resorts and tourist sites were some of the few developmental infrastructures improved to be able to cater to the influx of foreign visitors. Many more infrastructure developments will continue to be developed as tourism grows in the country.
Increased investments from the diaspora.
The Year of Return encouraged diaspora members to consider Ghana for investment opportunities including investments in tourism-related businesses like hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The increased exposure and positive publicity generated by the Year of Return campaign helped to position Ghana as an attractive investment destination which is expected to create more long-term job opportunities for Ghanaians and the economy at large.
Promoting Ghana as a tourist destination
A lot of significant media attention was generated during the Year of Return, placing Ghana in the spotlight as a tourist destination country. Leading to an increased brand awareness and desire for people around the world to visit the country and experience some of the rich culture and hospitality the country has to offer. This will continue to create more interest in the country and create a lasting positive impact in the coming years.
Cultural exchange
The Year of Return fostered cultural exchange and dialogue between Ghanaians and Diasporans, leading to greater understanding, solidarity, and collaborations across borders through cooperative efforts. Likewise creating several platforms for people of African descent to celebrate African heritage fosters unity and pan- Pan-Africanism and strengthens the alliance between Africa and the diaspora.
Conclusion
The Year of Return and Beyond has been one of the best initiatives established as a way to connect Black people on the continent of Africa and those in the Diaspora. I believe many black people in the Diaspora have visited the continent because of this initiative as the government of Ghana made it a point to communicate our willingness to always welcome them back to the motherland to reconnect with their roots with open arms.
Even though we have seen some success with the initiative, I think Ghana still has a long way to go in terms of building its infrastructure to accommodate the growing interests in its tourism sector. Many more collaborations can be established which will foster unity and economic prosperity amongst black people worldwide.
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