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‘Year of Return’ will be pivotal to Ghana’s tourism – Tourism Minister
As several African Americans partake of the much-talked-about Year of Return, Tourism Minister, Barbara Oteng Gyasi says the business potential program it has had on Ghana’s tourism so far has been phenomenal.
Speaking at the ‘James Town to James Town’ African American Business Summit Barbara Oteng Gyasi said “the Year Of Return will be the pivot on which we (gov’t) puts Ghana on the world stage when it comes to tourism. This list of activities has already seen us gaining the needed ground when it comes to the destination choice”.
The James Town to James Town African American Business Summit brought together participants from the African American community in the US state of Virginia to exchange thought leadership ideas on exploring business opportunities in Ghana.
CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC), Yoofi Grant said: “most of these African-Americans from the Diaspora are looking at investment avenues in (Ghana) which estimate in the billions of dollars”.
Already, some renowned African American personalities including Actor and Talk Show Host Steve Harvey have been in Ghana. Barbara Oteng Gyasi says the economic benefits and investment potential has been massive so far.
The Year of Return, which is being championed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture through the Ghana Tourism Authority, correlates with this year’s PANAFEST and Emancipation Day.
It is aimed at enticing brothers and sisters of African descent in the Diaspora to return to Ghana, and by extension Africa, to help develop their roots.
Source: Myjoyonline
‘Go to Ghana’ – Hollywood star Danny Glover advocates ahead of Year of Return trip
As if it is as a sequel to the call made by Steve Harvey last week “This is home”, Danny Glover returns to Ghana 47 years after the first visit and encourages all people of African origin to “Go to Ghana” in this year of return.
The American actor, film director, and political activist known as Danny Lebern Glover is headed home as part of a large group of African Americans coming home to visit Ghana for the year of return. The group is here for the Jamestown to Jamestown event taking place tomorrow at Jamestown Accra marking the exact day 400years ago since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown Virginia on August 20, 1619.
Danny Glover is known for his lead role as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film series. He also has leading roles in the films The Color Purple, To Sleep with Anger, Predator 2, Angels in the Outfield and Operation Dumbo Drop. Join us…
Program
Arrival – 8am @ Airport
Durbar – 3pm at Jamestown
#Akwaaba
#yearofreturn #visitGhana #diaspora #africanculture #culture #travelnoire #heritage #tourism #steveharvey #Accra #travel #travelAfrica #history #heritage #dubois #400yearson #blackhistory #africanhistory #excellence
Participants find solace in ancestral tributes at start of Jamestown2Jamestown
This week marks 400 years since the first African were forcefully brought to the United States. To memorialize this history, more than 200 African Americans made their way to Virginia, the first leg in a week-long journey retracing the steps of their ancestors dubbed Jamestown 2 Jamestown.
Emotions were raw as the delegation gathered at the Historic Jamestown Visitor Center, to symbolize their ancestors’ arrival in Point Comfort and Fort Monroe in the Jamestown area of Virginia. The NAACP, along with its partner, The Adinkra Group, put together a moving program which called upon attendees to reflect on the significance of the African history in America.
“Today, we stand here as their descendants, empowered by their legacy, emboldened by the knowledge that we built this country, and enlightened from today’s experience,” said Leon W. Russell in his speech to the spirited crowd. “As crucial as it is to look back on our history, today is a turning point for us, because we know we must forge a path ahead for the African American community in this democracy.”
NAACP President and CEO echoed similar sentiments, calling attention to the stark reality African Americans face today – a President in the White House who calls into question their patriotism, when in fact, their ancestors built up the colonies with their bare hands, fought for the independence of the nation, and continued to fight for the protection of the union in every war since the Revolutionary war.
A highlight of the program was a tribute to the ancestors. Participants had the opportunity to write a letter to their ancestors and place it in a fire, a symbolic African tradition.
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As the group departed Jamestown, several people reflected on what the experience meant to them. “I’m happy I was able to do this,” said Maura, a participant in the message writing. “I get sad when I think about the people who couldn’t be there, like Travyon Martin and Eric Garner, but I’m glad I was able to be present and have that connection with my ancestors.”
The group continues their journey tomorrow to the National Museum of African American History, and then to Jamestown, Accra, Ghana.
Source: www.naacp.org
Year of Return: Danny Glover and NAACP President head to Ghana for ‘Jamestown to Jamestown’
American actor, film director, and political activist, Danny Glover is expected to arrive in Ghana with National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), as part of the Jamestown to Jamestown’ event to commemorate Ghana’s Year of Return.
To commemorate the 400-year anniversary of the first enslaved Africans’ arrival in the United States, NAACP leaders, activists and entertainers will travel from Jamestown, Virginia, to Jamestown, Accra, as a part of Ghana’s “Year of Return” initiative.
“Jamestown to Jamestown represents one of the most powerful moments in the history of the Black Experience,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “We are now able to actualize the healing and collective unity so many generations have worked to achieve in ways which bring power to our communities in America, Africa and throughout our Diaspora.”
Read Also – Deborah Cox Visits Ghana for Tear of Return, World Music festival
The trip, which kicks off on Aug. 18 in Washington, D.C., is open to the public. Participants will travel via bus to Jamestown, Virginia, for a prayer vigil and candle-lighting ceremony that marks the African “Maafa,” a term that describes the suffering embedded in the past four centuries related to enslavement. Participants will then travel back to D.C. for a special gathering at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, designed by Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, prior to departing to Ghana on a direct flight for seven to 10 days of rich cultural, spiritual and cathartic experiences.
PROGRAM
Sunday
Day 1: Aug. 18, 2019
The Arrival
We begin our trip in the Nation’s Capitol – Washington, DC as the meeting point where we will take a bus ride to Jamestown Virginia (Colonial National Park) for a prayer vigil and candle lighting ceremony marking the 400 year anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arrival and honoring the memory of all those stolen from Africa over 400 year ago.
Monday
Day 2: Aug. 19, 2019
Our History
Our morning starts with a special visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture designed by Ghanian architect Sir David Adjaye on the National Mall before departing to Ghana.
In the afternoon we depart from Washington Dulles International Airport to Kotoka International Airport in Ghana, West Africa on a direct flight with South African Airways at 5:40 pm.
Tuesday
Day 3: Aug. 20, 2019
Akwaaba (Welcome)
We arrive at 8:30 am into Kotoka International Airport’s new International Terminal. After a warm cultural welcome, we check in our hotels and prepare for the evening’s activities.
In the late afternoon, we move to Jamestown, Accra to be welcomed by local chiefs, politicians, community leaders and the traditional council of Jamestown. We end with an ancestral healing ceremony at the ocean.
Wednesday
Day 4: Aug. 21, 2019
Business, Development & Investment Summit
Join leading government, NGO, and private sector leaders for workshops, discussions, presentations, panels, and networking for a full day of learning about business, development, and investment in Ghana. End the day with a special networking happy hour hosted by one of Ghana’s leading CEOs.
*Individuals not participating in the summit have the option of group day tours or self-guided tours.
Thursday
Day 5: Aug. 22, 2019
Business, Development & Investment Summit
Close out the the final day of the summit with a half day of business networking, closing panel discussion, and presentation on active capital investment projects in Ghana. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with leaders in the banking industry, as well as leading private sector and non-profit CEO’s.
Friday
Day 6: Aug. 23, 2019
Cape Coast Castle / African Ancestry Reveal
After breakfast, we depart Accra for Cape Coast in the Central Region driving through several fishing villages and coconut tree lined beaches.
Prior to touring Cape Coast Castle, we pay a courtesy call visit to the local tradition Council of Cape Coast. Participants will complete a comprehensive tour of the Cape Coast Castle slave dungeons, and the West African Heritage Museum. After walking through the Door of Return we begin the African Ancestry reveal.
End the evening with the Resilience Beach party at Coconut Grove Beach Resort.
Saturday
Day 7: Aug. 24, 2019
Assin Manso / Last Bath Slave River
Attendees will visit Assin Manso Last Bath Slave River, the burial site of the two former slaves exhumed from New York and Jamaica interred in Ghana on Emancipation Day in 1998. The Slave River was where the enslaved Africans had their last bath before their trek to the coast for shipment to the western world never to be returned.
Extended stay participants will move on to Kumasi and others will return to the hotel for their final night.
EXTENDED TRIP OPTION TO KUMASI
Sunday
Day 8: Aug. 25, 2019
Departure
Attendees who complete their journey today will head back to Accra to visit the Arts Centre for gift shopping, farewell photos at Independence Square and a final meal before departure
Kumasi
Kumasi is home of the great Ashanti Kingdom. Extended stay participants will attend the Akwaside Festival at Manhiya Palace, the seat of the Asantehene – King of the the Ashanti people. Akwasidae is a festival held every 42 days to honor personal and community ancestors. This is an opportunity to experience traditional Ghanian culture in all its splendor, color, grace, strength, and vibrancy.
Monday
Day 9: Aug. 26, 2019
Kumasi Craft Villages
After breakfast we visit a few Ashanti crafts villages. Bonwire is famous for Kente cloth production. Observe weavers exhibit their skills in producing the clothe and try your hand at it. Ntonso, noted for its indigenous artisans whose expertise lies in Adinkra textiles printing using traditional symbols that express the spiritual, moral, political and socio-cultural philosophies of the Akan people. Ahwiaa – the woodcarver’s village specializing in woodcarving such as the Ashanti stools, fertility dolls and walking sticks.
After Lunch, we return to Accra.
Tuesday
Day 10: Aug. 27, 2019
Accra City Tour
After breakfast go on a city tour of Accra visiting the vibrant open air Makola Market offering fresh farm produce, clothes, electronics, and other goods. Continue through Old Accra visiting Independence Arch, and Black Star Square, Accra’s ceremonial grounds.
After lunch visit W.E.B. Dubois Centre for Pan Africanism and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, burial place of the first President of Ghana..
Source: Ameyaw Debrah
Steve And Marjorie Harvey Take An Emotional Journey ‘Home’ To Ghana
2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans from Ghana arriving on the shores of Jamestown, Virginia. While this sordid history is a tough pill for both sides of the tale to swallow, the country has chosen to commemorate the occasion with a “Year of Return” celebration that acknowledges the cumulative resilience of all the victims of the Trans Atlantic slave trade who were scattered and displaced through the world, and calling them “home” to Ghana.
Throughout the year, many people of African descent across the diaspora have made the journey to Ghana to partake in the numerous conferences and vibrant festivals, like Afrochella and the Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Recently, Steve and Marjorie Harvey along with their family, made the journey ‘home’ and the experience was a soul-stirring one.
During a visit to the Elmina Slave Trade Castle, walking the path of their ancestors through the castle and out of the “Door of No Return,” took a deep emotional toll on the Harvey clan as the weight of history fell heavy on their hearts and spirits.
“This was real pain I felt going back to Ghana’s slave castles…I could feel my ancestors on me… Powerful beyond words that I can explain. I encourage as many of you as possible to go HOME for your ancestors. Their strength is in each of us and we must honor their ultimate sacrifice in all that we do,” said Harvey.
Year of Return: Steve Harvey reiterates call on black people in diaspora to ‘Come Home’ as he tours Cape Coast Castle
Steve Harvey has called on black people in the diaspora to come home, after a visit to the historic Slave Castle in Cape Coast.
Popular global icon, born Broderick Stephen Harvey world known as Steve Harvey an American comedian, television host, producer, radio personality, actor, and author, He’s the hosts of, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, the Steve talk show, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, Little Big Shots and its spinoff Little Big Shots: Forever Young, Steve Harvey’s Funderdome, Showtime at the Apollo etc is in Ghana for the second time and this time with his family to pay a visit and to be part of the ‘year of return’ activities.
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Harvey with wife and children can’t believe what they are doing at the Slave Castle in Elmina, Ghana.
Ghana declared this year 2019 as a ‘Year of Return’ to mark 400 years since the first documented enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown Virginia, USA.
Steve Harvey Welcomed to Ghana
Steve Harvey and his family visited Elmina castle where the SLAVES were kept for onward transportation to Europe and America etc.
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Steve Harvey couldn’t control his tears after a visit to slave Cape Coast castle.
He posted a video of his visit to the castle on his Instagram page and urged his colleague’s black people in the diaspora to visit their ancestral home and have a first-hand experience in the inhumane treatment their forefathers went through before they were sent out of the shores of Ghana and Africa as a whole.
He wrote:
Visit to the Ghana Slave Castles This was real pain I felt going back to Ghana’s slave castles…I could feel my ancestors on me… Powerful beyond words that I can explain. I encourage as many of you as possible to go HOME for your ancestors. Their strength is in each of us and we must honor their ultimate sacrifice in all that we do. #TheYearofTheReturn
: @madebycourtney
The ‘Year Of Return’ is a year-long anniversary that seeks to unite black people living elsewhere to come home and experience the rich culture of their ancestors and at the same time use the occasion to reunite with families and love ones.
There are so many activities billed for the year as part of the ‘celebration’.. and more known people have announced their visit to Ghana.
Photo Credit: Steve Harvey
Source: Ghreloaded.net
Miss Heritage Global ladies share cooking and craft-making skills
From hair braids to face-masks, leaf-dresses to caps, the Miss Heritage Global queens made and displayed various crafts to the admiration of many.
Join us for the Miss Heritage Global pageant to be held at the Accra International Conference Center, on August 17, 2019 at 6pm.
Click to view all photos
Miss Heritage Miss Heritage Ecuador Miss Heritage Nigeria Miss Heritage South Africa Miss Heritage South Africa Miss Heritage Zimbabwe MyHeritage Ghana the Black Star of Africa Year of ReturnMiss Heritage Global Seychelles 2019 Miss Heritage Bahamas Miss Heritage Chad Dagosse Elise Miss Heritage Uganda 2019/20 – Ruth Emmanuella Mwima Miss Heritage Russia Miss Heritage Ghana 2016 – Selasie Dzanta
#yearofreturn #Ghana2019 #MTG19
#LetsGoGhana #heritage #MyHeritage #MyCulture
UNESCO Heritage
Photos: JJ Rawlings interacts with Miss Heritage Queens
Part of the heritage journey of any society comes from also learning and interacting with persons who have seen it all, and have contributed to creating and maintaining Ghana’s identity as a culture and heritage destination. The Miss Heritage Global ladies planted trees at Sakumono as part of their 10-day experience in Ghana which saw them visit the Cape Coast Castle and many other places.
The Miss Heritage Global queens achieved this when they called on former President Jerry John (JJ) Rawlings today at his residence ahead of the contest tomorrow.
The Miss Heritage Global event is being hosted by Ghana as part of the ‘Year of Return’ Ghana 2019 celebrations. Grab your tickets and join us at the Accra International Conference Center, on August 17, 2019 at 6pm.
Photos: Miss Heritage Global Ladies plant trees ahead of contest
The environment and trees are very important components of our heritage and the Miss Heritage Global ladies together with Ghana Tourism Authority and Forestry Commission planted trees at Sakumono on Thursday as part of their 10-day experience.
Below are Photos
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#yearofreturn #Ghana2019 #MTG19
#LetsGoGhana #heritage #MyHeritage #MyCulture Nature
Photos: Television Host Steve Harvey’s welcome to Ghana
Television Host, Actor, Comedian, and Radio King Steve Harvey is in Ghana and as part of the ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ celebrations which has opened Ghan’s door to all, he and his family were welcomed at the W.E.B. Dubois Centre in Accra.
Steve Harvey shared his plans and experiences with us which can be summed in his words “This is Home”.
#yearofreturn #ghana #letsgoghana #brafie #ghana2019 #visitghana#diaspora #Africa #yearofreturn2019 #travel #accra #african#travelnoire #culture #theyearofreturn #SteveHarvey #DuBois
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