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James City County honors connection between Jamestown and Ghana
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
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.
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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
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
Nkrumah, Padmore and Du Bois, Honoured in PANAFEST Wreath-Laying Ceremony
PANAFEST & Emancipation officially opened with a wreath-laying ceremony remembering three important pioneers in the Pan African movement; George Padmore, W.E.B. DuBois and Kwame Nkrumah. All three were passionate about uniting the global African family and were responsible for laying a foundation that made a positive change for people of African descent.
PANAFEST & Emancipation are deeply rooted in celebrating the African family and teaching the knowledge and heritage of our people. The events are taking place from 24th July – 2nd August at locations in Accra and Cape Coast. This year’s theme is ‘Beyond 400 Years: Reaching Across Continents into the Future.’ The first day’s events began at the W.E.B DuBois Centre for Pan-African Culture in Cantonments, Accra with a ceremony that included the laying of wreaths on his grave. Everyone then moved to the George Padmore Library where Padmore’s remains have been laid to rest to also perform a ceremony laying wreaths in his honour. At this location, an eternal flame was lit. “May our commitment to the cause of Africa and to the upliftment of its people everywhere on the continent and the Americas wherever the black race should find himself never die by the lighting of this flame,” said Ben Anane-Nsiah, Product Development Manager at Ghana Tourism Authority.
The final part of the program was at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra Central. Dignitaries and notable people from the diaspora were in attendance including Stephanie S. Sullivan, the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Akwasi Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Claudia Turbay Quintero, Ambassador, Embassy of Columbia, and Dr. Thomas Mensah, Chemical Engineer and Inventor, and H.E. Dr. Erieka Bennett, Head of Mission Diaspora African Forum, are just a few of the key attendees at the event.
A.J. Johnson, an Actress and Motivational Coach from the U.S. participated in the events with laying a wreath in honour of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president. She said she couldn’t believe that she only came to Ghana for the first time just over 6 months ago and now here she was participating in a significant event. She was honoured to be asked to lay a wreath in memoriam of Nkrumah.
Steven Golding, President of UNIA Jamaica, delivered a compelling speech at Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. He spoke of how Jamaicans positively received President Nana Akufo-Addo on his recent trip to Jamaica, “We look forward to the day when all African nations will welcome home with open arms the sons and daughters of those who were ripped from this continent hundreds of years ago, because as Peter Tosh said no matter where we come from as long as we are black we are Africans.”
Dr. Thomas Mensah, Chemical Engineer, Inventor and holder of 14 U.S. patents gave his keynote address just before the crowd moved towards the wreath-laying at Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. His passion for uplifting Black people globally resonated in all he said. His motto, “The Right Stuff Comes in Black Too” is meant to inspire us to believe in the possibility of success when we believe in ourselves and learn to work together. It’s about breaking the negative stereotypes about Africa and black people worldwide.
This is just the beginning of many events scheduled over the coming week for PANAFEST & Emancipation. For more information on upcoming activities, visit the website www.panafestghana.org.
Year Of Return: U S House Speaker Pelosi, Congressional Black Caucus to Visit Ghana
The Year of Return has attracted a steady stream of African Americans and other people of African Descent to Ghana this year. But at the end of July between the 28th and the 31st, the highest-level delegation yet will arrive in Ghana with a big bang. And until they arrive, organizers are keeping a tight lip for security reasons.
United States Congressional leaders including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several members of the Congressional Black Caucus will be in Ghana for an official state visit. Their visit will is at the invitation of His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo as part of this ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ celebrations.
The delegation will also participate in some #YearOfReturn Panafest / Emancipation day activities. The would also be hosted by his Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House as well as visit some historic sites in the country.
Watch this space for more…
Year Of Return: Ghana Navy Partners GTA, Year of Return and PANAFEST for historic “Return Journey”
The Ghana Navy is collaborating with the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Panafest Foundation to organize a symbolic boat ride from Cape Coast to Elimina Castle for diaspora returnees as part of the Panafest Akwaaba ceremony on Friday 26th July 2019.
The Cape Coast and Elmina Castle/dungeons together with the many forts that dot the Ghanaian coastline played major roles as holding points for millions of the captives who were transported to the Americas as slaves.
The boat ride is a symbolic reversal of that infamous voyage of ‘No Return’ and a statement of Ghana’s willingness and readiness to welcome all sons of Africa back home in this ‘Year of Return’ and thereafter.
The Ghana Navy plans to deploy a Snake Class Patrol boat and smaller Defender class boats for the historic journey.
The collaboration with the Navy highlights the growing interest of the Year of Return Project which was officially launched by the President of Ghana in September 2018.
Boat rides will start at 8:00 am at the Cape Coast Castle ‘Door of No Return’ to the Elmina Castle ‘Door of Return’.
This historic trip has also been tied to activities marking the Ghana Navy’s 60th Anniversary celebrations.
There would however be canoe rides alongside.
Year Of Return: Wreath-Laying ceremony held at historic sites to commemorate 2019 PANAFEST / Emancipation
As part of the PANAFEST/Emancipation Day 2019 celebrations, the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies and partners on 24th July 2019 laid wreaths in memory of Pan African pioneers who made contributions to the development of Africa.
The wreath-laying ceremony, one of the major events of the PANAFEST/Emancipation day 2019, was held in honour of Dr. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, George Padmore, the most prominent political activist of his generation of black intellectuals and a Pan-Africanist and Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s First President.
Wreaths were laid at three historical sites namely, the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, the George Padmore Library and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.
In his address, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ziblim Barri Iddi, said, Ghana has been the only country in Africa to celebrate PANAFEST/Emancipation Day annually since 1998 with the hope to bring unity among Africans on the continent and the diaspora.
Dr. Barri Iddi said, this year’s theme, ‘Beyond 400 years: reaching across Continents into the future” was appropriate for the commemoration in remembrance of the horrors of the slave trade and slavery as well as the individuals who fought against the atrocities of slavery.
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, opined that the ceremony was a celebration of family reunion and Africa liberation, and also, Ghana will continue to celebrate PANAFEST/Emancipation day to strengthen its Pan-African legacy and celebrate its pioneers in Pan-Africanism.
There were solidarity messages from Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director, Diaspora Affairs; Professor Esi Sutherland Addy, PANAFEST Secretariat; Mrs. Gail Nikoi, President, African American Association of Ghana; and Mrs. Stephanie S Suellivan, US Ambassador to Ghana.
The guest speaker of the ceremony, Dr Thomas Mensah, Engineer, Inventor, and a Diasporan, in his speech, urged all African including the diaspora to come together and help develop Africa. He again advised African to believe in themselves, ‘good things come in black too’, he quoted.
He said, “Africans would create their own Disney World which would be situated at the African Amusement Park in Ghana as a tourist attraction, “It would retrace the path that was taken by the slaves and rekindling the memories in grand style celebrating the ‘Freedom of Blacks’”.
The Ghana Tourism Authority is organizing the PANAFEST/Emancipation Day 2019 celebrations, as part of the ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Office of Diaspora Affairs, the PANAFEST Foundation, Ghana Tourism Development Company, Media Majique and the Adinkra Group of USA.
PANAFEST/Emancipation Day is a cultural vehicle for bringing Africans on the continent and in the diaspora together to promote understanding peace and unity among all Africans.
By Darlyn Asiedua
AJ Johnson’s “Sins Of The Father” movie to Premier at Silverbird Accra
Adrienne Joi Johnson’s latest movie will be exlusively screened in Ghana on July 24, 2019.
The “House Party” Actress Back With New Movie “Sins Of The Father”. You may remember AJ Johnson for her iconic roles as “Sharane” in “House Party” and “Juanita” in “Baby Boy.”
Now, the NJ born and bred actress is back with a new movie on TVOne “Sins of The Father,” about the murder of the wife of an Atlanta-area pastor, a crime that sends shockwaves through their close-knit community. However things aren’t what they seem and as law enforcement’s investigation unfolds, secret lives filled with lust, adultery, and corruption come to the surface.
Johnson plays the no-nonsense Det. Phylicia Richardson, who is tasked with unravelling the mystery murder of the church’s First Lady.
“Phylicia Richardson is actually AJ Johnson before Hollywood,” Johnson told BOSSIP by phone. “Phylicia is the bookworm, the intellectual…now, she’s been given a platform to be all of who she is – now we get to see her work her magic on this case that has gone cold.”
Sparked by real events, SINS OF THE FATHERfeatures Deitrick Haddon (The Gospel), A.J. Johnson (Baby Boy), Clifton Powell (Ray), Terayle Hill(Merry Wishmas) and Angela Davis (I Feel Pretty).
The movie follows Clarence Burnett (Haddon) a pastor in Atlanta who’s happily married to Karen (Davis). The couple’s world is torn apart when Karen is brutally murdered outside their Atlanta home, sending shock waves through their close-knit community.
As police delve deeper into the Burnett’s inner circle, they discover secret lives filled with lust, cruelty and unearth a sinful conspiracy of biblical proportions.
AJ Johnson was recently in Ghana for the #FullCircleFestival with other Holywood Stars as part of the Year of Return, Ghana 2019 celebrations. He new movie “Sins Of The Father” will be exclusively premiered at the Silver Birds Cinema at the Accra Mall on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at 6:30pm.
Sparked by real events, SINS OF THE FATHER features Deitrick Haddon (The Gospel), A.J. Johnson (Baby Boy), Clifton Powell (Ray), Terayle Hill (Merry Wishmas) and Angela Davis (I Feel Pretty). The movie follows Clarence Burnett (Haddon) a pastor in Atlanta who’s happily married to Karen (Davis). The couple’s world is torn apart when Karen is brutally murdered outside their Atlanta home, sending shock waves through their close-knit community. As police delve deeper into the Burnett’s inner circle, they discover secret lives filled with lust, cruelty and unearth a sinful conspiracy of biblical proportions.
About AJ Johnson
A.J Johnson is an actress, fitness icon and life coach. You’ve seen her in some of your favourite movies and now she stars in what could become one of your new favourites. She plays detective Richardson in TV One’s Sins Of The Father, about a family torn apart by a murder. Detective Richardson actually cracked the case; Johnson calls her “exceptional.” It’s been a while since we’ve seen her in a film and she says it’s because she was “spoiled” working with John Singleton on Baby Boy. She tells Skip and Madelyn that she always wanted to act again but prayed for a film with ac crew as “great” as a Baby boy.
Connecting Jamaican and Ghanaian Identities Through the ‘Joseph, A Quest for Identity’ Film
With so many stories being told about the history, heritage and culture of both Africa and the Caribbean, we’re continually learning more about the personal stories of connection between African and Caribbean people. It’s only fitting that during this, the Year of Return, a movie is being filmed in Ghana and Jamaica that explores this reality.
‘Joseph, A Quest for Identity’ is a movie that explores the life of a Jamaican man who has Ghanaian roots through his grandfather. He has spent his life in Jamaica with no real connection to his roots in Ghana. He never really considered exploring his roots because after all, he sees himself as Jamaican and not an African. However, through a series of life twists and turns, he ends up making the life-changing trip across the Atlantic to Ghana. Where he finds himself on a journey of self-discovery.
The movie has already filmed scenes in Jamaica and is currently in production with the scenes in Ghana. The production crew has filmed in both the Central Region, Greater Accra and Kumasi to capture the arrival of Joseph in Ghana and all his experiences learning about his history and the importance of developing a real connection to his long lost family.
A team from Ghana Tourism Authority and Year of Return visited the cast and crew on set while they were filming in the Haatso area of Greater Accra. Many were already acquainted with Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority after his recent trip to Jamaica with President Nana Akufo-Addo on his tour of the Caribbean islands. The trip was an effort to re-establish relationships with the people in the global African diaspora communities. This is a concerted effort by the president as part of Ghana’s Year of Return initiative, inviting people to return to Ghana.
The Year of Return commemorates the 400 years since the first documented ship of enslaved Africans arrived in the United States at Jamestown, Virginia. But it’s also known that enslaved Africans made arrivals in the Caribbean islands. There are still communities today in countries like Jamaica that have practices, cuisine and even dialects used that are the reminders of West African heritage.
Marietta Carter-Narcisse, is the Producer of the film and she said this film is so important. “We have so many stories to tell and we have to tell them through our own mind’s eye.” Often times African and Caribbean people have had their stories told by outsiders and it’s important that we start creating more films, theatre productions and television shows that speak from our perspective. Films like, ‘Joseph, A Quest for Identity’ also draw attention to the fact that many of us don’t even know each other. “I think it’s so important [the film] because this is our motherland and we don’t know each other…It’s so important for us to really understand why we do what we do. And so Joseph [the movie] was an opportunity for us to really bridge that gap of identity for all of us. Especially now with the ‘Year of Return here in Ghana 2019 and 2020 in Barbados. I think it’s critical that we understand [each other].”
There are many misconceptions by Ghanaians about people from Jamaica. The same holds true about Ghanaians, many of them don’t know much about Jamaicans or people from other Caribbean Islands. “I’ve met people in Ghana who think Barbados is in Jamaica! But it’s an island on itself. In fact, it’s the closest to Ghana geographically and many enslaved Africans also ended up there…It’s as though our history has been erased, there needs for education to teach Ghanaians more about Caribbeans,” Carter-Narcisse said.
The movie has a diverse mixture of actors and crew from all over the globe and it contributes to a story being told that truly represents the global community. Ghana’s own Harold Amenyah is one of the actors in the film along with Jamaican born Stogie Kenyatta and Alison Hinds, one of Barbados’ best known Soca Artists. Amenyah plays the character of Nii, a friend of Joseph’s from Ghana. As Joseph’s friend, he takes him around Ghana showing him the culture and traditions of the country.
Amenyah said the film is going to give Jamaicans and people in the Caribbean a sense of belonging. He explained that his character shows Joseph the things that give Ghanaians an identity and he soon sees things in Ghana that connect his forefathers with things he can also identify with as a Jamaican. “People who are going to watch this movie in the diaspora are going to realize how much of similarity and how connected we are because all they see and hear is what the media tells them. Now because of this film, they are going to get a chance and the opportunity to see for real…some of these things that they have just heard about,” Amenyah said.
Award-winning Director Marcia Weekes who is the director of this movie said the idea for the film was inspired by the story of a woman in Jamaica who had the bones of her ancestors exhumed and brought to Ghana for burial. The connection between Ghana and Jamaica continues to be strong and often discussed. ‘The Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ has played a significant role in bringing together people from the African diaspora. It also recognizes the resilience people of African descent and embraces all who have the desire to connect with their African roots.
The crew has filmed in different cities in Ghana, including Cape Coast, Accra and Kumasi
during the Akwasidae Festival. Amenyah believes this movie is going to make an impact. “The footage that we are getting [while filming] will rack their brains and make them feel that, yeah, there is definitely a place called home for them somewhere here in Ghana. It’s going to give Jamaicans a sense of identity and make them know that indeed they are connected to Ghana, not just by hearsay, and that is going to be evidenced through the film.”
Written by Ivy Prosper
Year of Return: DJ Zel, Ghana’s Youngest DJ on UK Radio Comes to Ghana
So she also responded to the call ‘Brafie’ and she arrived home yesterday and was welcomed by the @yearofreturn team. She is Nana Yaa Adepa Dadaa Manteaw aka ZEL, Ms Children Doctor, aka Ms Zel Dj Zel. She is the #youngest radio #DJ in the U.K. with her show @unafrikshow on GN Radio. #Akwaaba Ohemaa.
Best known as DJ Zel, her name is Zelda Nana Yaa Adepa Dedaa Manteaw. She arrived at Kotoka International Airport to great fanfare the evening of 16th July at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport. Her family members were there to greet her and the media was also there. The young DJ has made the journey to Ghana during the Year of Return and is excited about what’s in store during her stay. She is thrilled to be here during a monumental time when President Nana Akufo-Addo has opened Ghana’s doors to welcome people from the global African diaspora.
The young talent will be in Ghana until 30th August, just before she has to go back to school. She plans to spend time with family and explore the sights, sounds and culture of Ghana. She will be touring and meeting people in her industry and beyond. “My dream is to make Ghana proud of my work,” she said to the press.
At nine years old, she is the youngest DJ on the air in the U.K. and hosts a radio program called UniAfrik that airs on GN Radio. While she is here, she just might get an opportunity to do a guest spot on one of the local radio stations. She also expressed a desire to meet with Ghana’s other famous young talent, DJ Switch. That would be a great meeting of two young minds.
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