2019 World Tourism Day to be launched in Kumasi

Posted By : Collins/ 1817

The Ghana Tourism Authority will on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, launch the 2019 World Tourism Day celebration in Kumasi.

This year’s UNWTO World Tourism Day celebration is under the theme ‘Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all’ will be held in Kumasi, with many activities.

Some of the activities include Exhibition highlighting the theme, durbar, health walk, cycling competition, #EatGhana Food bazar and the annual Fun & Fly Paragliding Festival.

Last year, India was chosen to be the host country to celebrate World Tourism Day 2019. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and highlight the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals.

Every year, UNWTO invites people of all ages and backgrounds to hold and take part in WTD celebrations in their respective countries or holiday destinations.

 

 

About World Tourism Day

United Nations World Tourism Organization begun The World Tourism Day celebration in the year 1980.

Celebrated every September 27 around the world, the purpose of World Tourism Day is to foster awareness among the international community on the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.

Ghana hosted the global community for the international celebration for the first time in 2009.

Year of Return: Over 250 to visit Ghana for historic Jamestown to Jamestown Homecoming

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Since President Nana Akufo Addo declared 2019 the ‘Year of Return’ inviting all people from the diaspora to visit Ghana, thousands have already come with lots planning return visits.

The Year of Return Secretariat and the Adinkra Group are preparing to receive another over 250 people for this year’s ‘Jamestown to Jamestown’ event. The group will begin their tour on August 18, 2019, in Washington DC with 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 honouring the memory of all those stolen from Africa over 400 years ago.

They would then continue to tour the National Museum of African American History and Culture designed by Ghanian architect Sir David Adjaye on the National Mall before departing for Ghana.

The “Year of Return, Ghana 2019”is a major landmark spiritual and birth-right journey inviting the Global African family, home and abroad, to mark this anniversary. As an official event of the Year of Return, Jamestown to Jamestownis a spiritual, historical and reconciliatory journey in commemoration of the 400 year anniversary. Some highlights of the journey for the participants include:

  • Ancestral Healing Ceremony at Jamestown, Accra

  • Business, Investment & Development Summit

  • Black Tie Gala

  • AfricanAncestry.com DNA Reveal Ceremony

  • Cape Coast and Elmina Castle Visit

  • Assin Manso Last Bath Slave River

  • Akwasidae Festival @ Manhyia Palace in Kumasi

The Jamestown to Jamestown event is one of the certified ‘Year of Return’ events set as a spiritual, historical, and reconciliatory journey from August 18 – 28, 2019 from Jamestown, Virginia to Jamestown, Accra to commemorate the 400 year anniversary with a week-long series of events during the Year of Return, Ghana 2019.

‘The Year of Return’: 5 Ghanaian artists sound off on Pan-African solidarity

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The document explores the marketing initiative bringing celebrities, world leaders, and diaspora artists back to West Africa.

In 1960 Ghanian politician and revolutionary Kwame Nkrumah became the first president of the newly independent Republic of Ghana. After centuries of living under the strict confines of British colonial rule, the people of Ghana were free to dictate visions of their own future under the direction of local leaders like Nkrumah who had an understanding of the people’s needs and desires. Nkrumah’s vision for the country was greatly informed by his commitment to promoting Pan-Africanism, an idea and movement that encourages all people of African descent to unite and create stronger bonds. As one of the godfathers of Pan-Africanism, Nkrumah believed that “we must find an African solution to our problems, and that this can only be found in African unity.”

Decades after his presidential term, the spirit of Pan-Africanism continues to thrive in Ghana. Just last year, the country hosted the All African People’s Conference, an event that celebrated the 60th anniversary of the groundbreaking conference of the same name that was initially hosted by Nkrumah in 1958 in Accra and brought out Pan-African leaders from around the world. Last year also saw an influx of Black American celebrities partying with local residents and exploring the dungeons of the Cape Coast during the December holiday festivities. Actor Boris Kodjoe led the group in honour of the nation’s Full Circle Festival, which was attended by Black-ish actor Anthony Anderson, musician Diggy Simons, and over a dozen other influencers and celebrities.

Ghana’s latest and most ambitious push for Pan-Africanism is 2019’s “The Year of Return”, an initiative that was introduced last year by President Nana Akufo-Addo. The Year of Return marks 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were taken from West Africa to mainland America, where the first recorded slave ship arrived in Virginia in August 1619. According to CNN, an estimated 75% of slave dungeons in West Africa were in Ghana, meaning that for the millions of Africans that were captured, these dungeons represented their last memories of home. In remembrance of this moment in history, the government and tourism board have sent out a global call for visitors from around the diaspora to visit the nation and discover the beauty and opportunities that come with African unity and connecting with not only Ghanaians but people from all African nations.

Document Journal spoke with five Ghanian artists about why it’s important for the African Diaspora to visit Ghana and why the Year of Return is a positive step towards uniting the Global African community.

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Founder A A K S
“There is a need for more professionals engaging in businesses in Africa and the Diaspora can certainly help with this, particularity the returnees working for multinational organizations outside of Africa. We can certainly do with their international experience to bridge the skills gap in Africa. Generally, perceptions of Africa has changed over the years and people want to be involved and help build Africa that we all want or foresee. I am also a returnee, I lived in Ghana while growing up; I left to the United Kingdom when I was a teenager to study and after many years, I returned with my acquired skill sets to start my fashion brand AAKS. In all, I couldn’t have dreamed of the best job in the world and working in Ghana while employing over 20 people!”

Prince Gyasi, Visual Artist
“It’s always important for Africans to return to their roots and learn more about their culture. Their return contributes to the socio-economic growth of Africa. Through innovation, entrepreneurs in the diaspora and organisations are widening spaces in the continent for African development and growth. August 2019, marks 400 years since the first enslaved African arrived in Jamestown Virginia. This is a great moment for Africans in the Diaspora to see the Year of Return as not just an occasion but also as a tool which could be used to help change the narrative. This moment is very important for every African to remember the days our forefathers and mothers were forced to go through the Doors of No Return. Celebrating this special occasion with the idea that, some celebrities from Hollywood will be visiting and some returning to Africa is great but my question is Are they coming here to negotiate and engage with the locals as well? I guess we have to wait and see.”

Kwame Akoto, Sculptor
“I am doing something for the year of return. I launched Nkyimkyim Za; a festival on creative Communal labour at Ada on the 26th of January this year. The event is also an opportunity for other creative and well-wishers to collaborate and or contribute to my Nkyimkyim Installation at Ada, Ghana. I think Africans in the diaspora returning to the Mother continent (Africa) is significant and worth celebrating. It marks an important conscious effort by Africans to get together to not only commemorate some of our painful experiences but to do something about them.”

Joshua Kissi, Creative Entrepreneur
“When people hear return to Africa, they feel like it’s only reserved for people who are very conscious of their roots and have a hotep type of mindset. But it’s like no, that is a right granted towards everybody, not because you have a higher consciousness, not because you have a higher education or higher tax bracket. At home, everybody’s welcome and I think that’s an important part that people need to think about when they’re thinking about traveling back. It also helps them kind of erase the preconceived notions that they have about what life is like in Africa. I think it’s really important to get to know a piece of you that you probably haven’t really thought through and even if you have it’s great for you to embark on a journey.”

Leonie Badger, Founder Studio Badge
“I think that in many ways, we are all searching for a place that we can call home. The beauty of life is that when you chance upon that place, it resonates with you deep in your soul and you feel it. I have met so many people from the diaspora that came to Ghana looking to explore and have a good time but ended up connecting so much with the vibrancy and warmth of our people, and the richness of our culture and heritage that it immediately felt like home. Finding a home in this way is such a beautiful experience and it feeds into expanding your understanding of yourself as a significant piece in a whole. If you’re on the fence about making the journey, do your heart a favour and do it.”

Source: Document Journal

2019 Ghana World Music Festival with Deborah Cox slated for August 2-4 at Fantasy Dome

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The year 2019 marks 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown Virginia. Taking this as a milestone to celebrate African resilience and also call African in the diaspora home, the Year of Return Steering committee supported by Joy Prime and Hitz 103.9 FM, brings to you the Ghana World Music Festival.

This event, expected to take place on August 3rd and 4th at the Fantasy Dome in La, Accra will treat patrons to a weekend of incredible global music from 7pm each day.

The first annual Ghana World Music Festival is a celebration of the power of the Ghanaian music and the sounds of the diaspora. Music is more than entertainment, its empowerment and unifier of people, helped birth Ghana World Music Festival.

The festival will feature music and artistes from Ghana, across the African Continent, the Caribbean and the US.

A rich myriad of genres will be on display from Jazz, R&B, Reggae, Highlife and Afrobeat. The festival will serve as an anchor event to Panafest 2019 while continuing to support the mission of the Year of Return Initiative.

On the bill to perform is Ghanaian reggae and dancehall artiste, Samini; Jamaican reggae band, Third World; Canadian Grammy award-winning RnB songstress, Deborah Cox; Jamaican Jazz and reggae artiste, Ernie Smith; Jazz artiste, Irvin Mayfield and many more.

Grab your early bird ticket for GH₵ 50 now till Thursday, August 1.

Regular GH₵ 80, VIP GH₵ 150 and VVIP GH₵ 450.

Ticket outlets:

PINKBURRY ……….Labone, Spintex,  East Legon

NYONYO ESSENTIALS…..American house, East Legon

MY CELLPHONE REPAIRS…..A&C Mall, East Legon

NALLEM CLOTHING……Accra Mall, West Hills Mall, Osu Mall, Junction Mall, Achimota Retail Centre.

 

Log onto http://ghanawmf.com/ for more details.

 

 

2019 Ghana World Music Festival Is A Celebration Of The Music Of Our Diaspora

The first annual Ghana World Music Festival 2019 is a celebration of the power of the Ghanaian music and the sounds of the diaspora. Music is more than entertainment, its empowerment and unifier of people and with this spirit, the Ghana World Music Festival was conceived.

The festival will feature music and artists from Ghana, across the African Continent, the Caribbean and the US. A rich myriad of genres will be on display from Jazz, R&B, Reggae, Highlife and Afrobeat. The festival will serve as an anchor event to Panafest 2019 while continuing to support the mission of the Year of Return Initiative.

New York attorneys add colour to ‘Year of Return’

Posted By : Collins/ 1059

The Year of Return agenda, instituted to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, is swiftly gaining traction in the diaspora as intended.

Visiting Ghana to know more about their roots, was Boris Kodjo, Michael Jai White, Anthony Anderson, Diggy Simmons and many others.

Recently, joining the group of diasporans to learn about their roots, is the Association of Black Woman Attorneys (ABWA), New York.

A large delegation of ABWA was on a week-long retreat themed “Reinforcing Bonds and Connecting with the Diaspora.” But the visit was rendered more significant as it coincided with the ‘Year of Return’ celebrations.

The African-American lawyers, hosted by the Institute of International Affairs, spent their week in Ghana celebrating African Heritage.

The team visited the two historical slave castles in Cape Coast and Elmina and also paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Attorney-General, Gloria Akuffo.

“It is an honour to be able to have undertaken this trip. For many members of ABWA, this is a pilgrimage to connect with our heritage,’ president of ABWA, Tanya Blocker, had said.

She noted Ghana has a deep heritage of lawyers rising far in the legal profession, with many ladies ascending to the high offices of Attorney-General and Chief Justice and her team was excited to bond and build connections with these attorneys.

Ghana’s Attorney-General, Gloria Akuffo, admitted though Ghana had made strides with the female attorneys there is much more that needs to be done.

“I applaud the initiative of ABWA, sisterhood in hopes of advancement is the way to go. I can proudly say that my office is now a nest for women attorneys in Ghana and as such my office and I are ready to collaborate with ABWA in pursuing their goals,” she added.

The tour ended with notes of appreciation from ABWA to GhIIA.org for their support.

Mr Cherk Klutse, of the institute, reiterated the institute’s pride that ABWA chose Ghana and expressed hope for further collaboration with ABWA for the institutes Diaspora and Internal Law programs.

Source: Myjoyonline

Pelosi, delegation pay homage at Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

Posted By : Collins/ 1726

The Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States, Ms Nancy Pelosi, on Monday afternoon laid a wreath at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra on behalf of the government and people of US and signed the book of condolence.

She arrived at the museum with a Congressional delegation and was welcomed by the Director of the Memorial Park, Alhaji Abubakari Issah Osman.

She walked towards the statue of Dr Nkrumah and together with the delegation laid a wreath.

After a brief interaction and photo-taking, she walked into the mausoleum which is housing the remains of Dr Nkrumah and his wife Fathia and signed the book of condolence.

After that, she visited the museum which also houses the personal effects and publications of Dr Nkrumah.

more to follow…

Pelosi and Congressional Black Caucus Delegation to visit historic sites in Ghana

Posted By : Collins/ 1967

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leading a Congressional Black Caucus delegation visiting Ghana to hold high-level discussions with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, Speaker Mike Oquaye and other senior government officials.  Speaker Pelosi will deliver an address to the Ghanaian Parliament.

Solemnly, the delegation will pay respects at Cape Coast and Elmina Castles and the “Door of No Return,” to observe the 400th Anniversary of the First Enslaved Africans Landing in America.

Ahead of the visit, officials from the US Embassy, security officials and a delegation from Ghana Tourism Authority met with Chiefs in as well as visited some of the attractions they would visit last two weeks.

The delegation includes the distinguished Majority Whip James Clyburn, Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Karen Bass, Co-Chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Congresswoman Barbara Lee and icon of the Congress, John Lewis.

“As the founding chair of the International African American Museum, which is being built on Gadsden Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina where approximately 50 percent of enslaved Africans arrived in this country, it is particularly meaningful to me to join the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and many of my African American colleagues in visiting Ghana’s Door of No Return,” said Whip Clyburn.  “I consider this to be a fitting and proper way to commemorate the 400th year since the enslaved people were forced to leave their homeland and sent in bondage to the New World.  I seek to pay homage to the sacrifices of our African ancestors and honour the contributions they made to building the United States of America.”

“400 years ago this year, our ancestors were first brought to this continent in chains.  On this delegation, 12 Members of the Congressional Black Caucus will return to the African continent as Members of the United States Congress,” said Congresswoman Bass.  “We have come so far but we still have so far to go. Among the history being made this trip, I am very much also looking forward to witnessing the first woman Speaker of the United States House of Representatives address the Ghanaian parliament.  I thank Speaker Pelosi for leading this important trip and for joining us in sending a signal of mutual respect and partnership to Ghana and the continent of Africa as a whole.”

The Members of the Congressional delegation are:

  • Speaker Nancy Pelosi
  • House Majority Whip James Clyburn 
  • Congressman John Lewis, Ways & Means Committee
  • Congressman Bobby Rush, Energy & Commerce Committee
  • Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Budget Committee, Homeland Security Committee and Judiciary Committee
  • Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Appropriations Committee and Budget Committee
  • Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Energy & Commerce Committee and Homeland Security Committee
  • Congressman Hank Johnson, Judiciary Committee and Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
  • Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, Agriculture Committee, Education & Labor Committee and House Administration Committee
  • Congresswoman Karen Bass, Foreign Affairs Committee and Judiciary Committee
  • Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Intelligence Committee and Ways & Means Committee
  • Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Education & Labor Committee and Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
  • Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Financial Services Committee and Joint Economic Committee
  • Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Budget Committee, Education & Labor Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee

Source: speaker.gov

James City County honors connection between Jamestown and Ghana

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By Alexa Doiron

Jamestown is recognizing its connections to African history with a visitor from across the Atlantic Ocean.

On Tuesday, James Icenhour, chairman of the James City County Board of Supervisors, issued a proclamation to Kojo Yankah, the author of a new book, “From Jamestown to Jamestown: Letters to an African Child,” that honours the connection between Jamestown Island and the Jamestown District in Accra, Ghana.

The proclamation states that June 18 will now be known as From Jamestown to Jamestown Day to honour Yankah’s work as well as the 400-year connection between the two locations.

This year, Jamestown is commemorating the 400th anniversary of the first Africans to arrive at the colony and Ghana was one of the locations where the slave trade-oriented, according to a news release from the county.

“Both Jamestown sites have since recognized and learned from the atrocities of the past and…both Jamestown sites have now grown to become thriving, vibrant communities that rely heavily on the culture and connectivity grown from those histories,” Icenhour said.

Yankah, founder and former president of the African University College of Communications, was given a copy of the proclamation, a copy of the county’s logo and the county flag.

In a speech, Yankah said he originally visited Jamestown 25 years ago to celebrate the 375th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans. After returning home, he said he said he thought about how Jamestown in Virginia had a connection to the Jamestown District in Ghana.

“So when I went back [to Ghana], something struck me and this was the first time I realized that Jamestown itself had a fort which was also a slave-trading post,” he said.

For his research, Yankah said he used Jamestown to represent all of the coastal towns in the southwest region of Africa where slaves were primarily being captured.

Yankah said since 1994 he has been doing research in order to build a story in a readable fashion that would show the history of his people since the first Africans arrival.

“I must say that out here with all my travels in this part of the world, those who have African descent do not know where they come from,” he said. “Similarly, those on the continent [of Africa] have no idea what happened to those that went out as captives to the new world.”

In his book, Yankah said he tried to pull all of these pieces together to a simple way to tell the story of Ghana’s connection to Jamestown.

“It’s a painful story but it has to be told,” he said. “Our children will have to know that these things happened.”

Source: wydaily.com

Year of Return: Photos of Pelosi, Congressional delegation arrival in Ghana

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The first woman Speaker of the United States House of Representatives who is leading a Congressional delegation to Ghana has arrived in Accra.

Nancy Pelosi and her delegation touched down at Terminal 3 of the Kotaka International Airport, Sunday afternoon.

Read also:

Pelosi, Congressional Black Caucus to visit Ghana

 

 

They were met by the Speaker of Parliament, Mike Aaron Oquaye and the US Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan.

Some members of Parliament, as well as other dignitaries, were also at the Airport to welcome them amid a rich cultural display.

 

Year Of Return: Ghana’s Ambassador To The US Visits Speaker Pelosi Ahead of Historical Trip

They will hold high-level discussions with President Akufo-Addo as well as speak with her Ghanaian counterpart, Mike Oquaye and other senior government officials.

There is a dinner held in Speaker Pelosi’s honour tonight at the Jubilee Lounge of Parliament, where she will respond to a toast.

She will also deliver an address to the Ghanaian Parliament on Wednesday.

“It is a special honour to be the first U.S. Speaker of the House to address the illustrious Parliament of Ghana, as we build on the partnership between our nations,” she said.

While in Ghana, Speaker Pelosi and her delegation will pay visits at Cape Coast and Elmina Castles as part of the ‘Year of Return‘ celebrations.

At the Cape Coast Castle, they will be at the ‘Door of No Return’ to observe the 400th Anniversary of the First Enslaved Africans landing in Jamestown Virginia, USA.

“As we face evolving global security challenges, our delegation will thank our men and women in uniform and receive briefings from U.S. military leaders at U.S. Army Africa headquarters,” Speaker Pelosi said ahead of her visit to Africa.

She added that once they arrive in Ghana, “our delegation looks forward to high-level discussions on key issues such as regional security, sustainable and inclusive development and the challenges of tomorrow including the climate crisis.”

The team will then visit the US Army Africa headquarters in Italy.

Below are pictures and videos of her arrival in Ghana.

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Year Of Return: Ghana’s Ambassador To The US Visits Speaker Pelosi Ahead of Historical Trip

Posted By : Collins/ 2066

Ahead of the historic trip to Ghana, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, met with Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, at her office in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

The speaker extended an invitation to Ghana’s Ambassador to review key matters regarding the upcoming trip.

 

In his remarks, Ambassador Adjei-Barwuah touched on Ghana’s existing relationship with the United States, and the need to enhance the friendship between the two countries. “Ghana is very excited about this trip, and for us, it’s a call to open a new page to ensure a better relationship.”

On her part, Speaker Pelosi expressed her deepest gratitude to the President and the people of Ghana for commemorating 400 years of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia. “We go on many trips, but nothing compares to this one. We feel a special connection because of our history. The historical nature of commemorating 400 years of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans makes this trip special. Truly, this trip strikes to the heart” the Speaker said.

 

The visit will include a tour of some of Ghana’s historic slave-trading ports including Elmina and Cape Coast Dungeons, the Slave Heritage site at Assin Manso which houses the remains of slave ancestors brought down from the United States including a former U.S. Naval officer, Samuel Carson among others. A forty-member delegation will accompany the Speaker on this trip including members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Ambassador was accompanied by Joseph Ngminebayihi, Head of Consular Department, Kofi Tonto, Head of Information & Public Affairs and Bernard Acquah, First Secretary/Political Affairs.

Source: Embassy of Ghana, USA