Kofi Kingston

Ghana is gearing up to give a warm reception to the current World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Champion, Kofi “Kingston”.  He has not been to his homeland of Ghana in 26 years. His arrival this week is going to be bittersweet.  Especially with this year being declared, ‘Year of Return” welcoming all those of African descent to Ghana.

Kingston, who was born, Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah, will be on a four-day visit from Thursday 30th May 2019 to Sunday 2nd June 2019. He will be travelling with a film crew documenting his journey as a world champion, who returns home to his humble beginnings.  His visit will include a trip to Manhyia Palace in Kumasi where he will pay homage to the current Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.  Kingston’s visit will also include a meeting with President Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

His journey through Ghana will also take him through some key tourist sites including the Christianborg Castle (Osu), Bonwire and Ntonso and Lake Bosomtwe. He’ll also make a visit to the Mother and Baby Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Of course, like most Ghanaians, a visit to your family hometown is in order. Kingston will pay a visit to his paternal hometown Ejisu and to Atwima Techiman, his maternal hometown.  His family members must be so proud and anticipating seeing him after all these years away.  He certainly has made them proud of becoming the first African to ever win the WWE Championship title.

Expect to see him making the rounds on the media circuit in Ghana.  Everyone is excited to see him and welcome him home to Ghana.

For the first time in History and African won the WWE Championship, and he’s from Ghana

The World Wrestling Entertainment Champion, Kofi “Kington” Sarkodie-Mensah comes home to Ghana for the first time in 26 years.

Media Partnerships

CitiTV and Graphic meetings

Since President Nana Akufo-Addo declared 2019 as the ‘Year of Return’ welcoming all those of African descent to make their birthright journey home to Ghana, there’s been a significant amount of positive response from those living in the diaspora.  Just search the hashtag #yearofreturn and you’ll find so many images ope people who have made the trip to Ghana.  Equally, there are several making plans to visit Ghana and celebrate the year of return.  Travellers making the journey visit historical sites, attend events and gain a sense of reconnection with their ancestral roots.

Ask anyone in the diaspora about ‘year of return’ and most have heard about the commemoration of 400 years since the first documented slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia.  But ask a local Ghanaian if they know what ‘year of the return’ is about and you’re often left with blank stares and a lack of knowledge about the entire year.  With the few who are aware, something it’s a single climax event that is yet to come or that they already missed out on.

Speaking to a young man in Labone, who wished to remain nameless, he was asked if he knows about Year of Return. “No I’ve not heard about that,” he said.  I explained to him that Year of Return   When explaining what it is, he said he thought it was a good thing because by all means “the people who come back will feel like they are home.”  He went on to say that he attended the TINA Fest but had no idea it was part of this year of return.

Forming strategic partnerships with local media will be key to getting local Ghanaians engaged in Year of Return Events.