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Ghana opens its arms to Africans in the diaspora
To mark the 400 years since the anchoring of the first slave ship in Jamestown, Virginia, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has declared 2019 the ‘Year of Return’ for Africans in the diaspora.(AP)
Many Accra-dwellers will know that December is the month of the returnees. In the days leading up to Christmas, Ghanaians from across the diaspora pour into the country in their thousands, disembarking from planes that have landed from London, New York and elsewhere. Families welcome their loved ones at Kotoka International Airport, the taxis are filled, the churches are packed and the parties are non-stop.
But last December saw another set of returnees, many of whom had never set foot on the continent before. It was the Christmas that Black Hollywood came to town, with Ghanaian-Austrian actor Boris Kodjoe and Ghanaian-American marketing whizz Bozoma Saint John (formerly the Chief Branding Officer at Uber) hosting an array of celebrities including the supermodel Naomi Campbell and actors Idris Elba and Rosario Dawson, for Christmas in the motherland.
The stars saw in the new year by attending the Full Circle Festival which marked the launch of the ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ an initiative headed by the Office of the Diaspora and backed by the Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo to commemorate the 400 years since the first enslaved Africans landed in the Americas, in Jamestown, Virginia in the United States.
Although there are no accurate figures, UNESCO estimates that approximately 17 million men, women and children were forced onto slave ships in Africa and sold into slavery in the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries.
The impact of the transatlantic slave trade is wide-reaching but at its essence, it propelled the industrialisation of Europe and led to the underdevelopment of Africa.
By hosting the Year of Return, Ghana hopes to attract tourists from across the African diaspora to reconnect with the continent. There are a number of events planned until the end of 2019 including investment summits, leadership forums and cultural activities. The year will culminate in another – larger – Black Hollywood pilgrimage tour in December.
Akwasi Ababio, director of the Office of the Diaspora and chairperson of the Year of Return committee, tells Equal Times that for many in the African diaspora, the possibility of returning ‘home’ holds great significance. “Some people have come to Ghana, and just on arriving at the airport, seeing that they’re standing on the land that their ancestors used to occupy, has brought a sort of relief,” he says. “They are able to come and reconnect spiritually.”
The home of pan-Africanism
The Year of Return comes more than ten years after another project was launched in Ghana, the Joseph Project, in 2007. That initiative, like the current one, sought to encourage Africans from the diaspora to visit Ghana in a bid to connect them to the rest of the continent. In 2000 the Right to Abode law was enacted, offering people of African descent the opportunity to settle permanently in Ghana, although legal technicalities make the process quite complicated.
The concept of repatriation isn’t new to Ghana. The idea of Africans in the diaspora returning ‘home’ was encouraged by Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who served as a figured head for the wave of pan-Africanism and black unity that spread across the continent around the time that most African countries gained independence from their European colonisers in the 1950s and 1960s.
As the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from its European coloniser (the United Kingdom) in 1957, a host of key figures in the black liberation movement moved to Ghana: the seminal US civil rights activist Dr W.E.B Dubois moved to Accra in 1961, living there for two years before he died in 1963; the American poet and author Maya Angelou also worked and lived in Ghana in the 1960s, and Malcolm X visited around the same time as Muhammad Ali did in 1964.
Over the years, many more descendants of Ghana – from the United States, the Caribbean and elsewhere – would make the journey to Ghana. One such returnee is Renée Neblett. The 71-year-old moved to Ghana in the 1990s, after years of visiting. While living in the United States, Nesblett was a member of the Black Panther movement. As racism, and the violence that came with it, permeated everyday life, Neblett – like a number of African-American writers and artists such as James Baldwin, Paul Robeson and Josephine Baker before her – first looked to Europe for freedom and inspiration.
After spending over a decade in Germany, she headed back to America but was disappointed to see where the movement of black empowerment had arrived. “I left during the Black Power movement so to return to America [in the eighties] to affirmative action and … a landscape still rife with the language of race politics, that for me was riveting. To see how a legitimate struggle for equal access under the law was [taken] and somehow defined in such a way that they institutionalised our second-class citizenship…I was stunned by that.”
While in the United States, Neblett began working in education and in a bid to expand the cultural curriculum of American students, she began visiting Ghana in the 1980s with groups of university students. After a few years she was ready to relocate. In 1992 she established the Kokrobitey Institute, which hosts residencies and educational programs on art and design, history and the environment in Kokrobitey, a beach town just outside of Accra.
“I feel free in Ghana”
Like Neblett, the horrors of race relations in the United States had become unbearable for Jamaican-American Lakeisha Marie. After spending many years visiting Ghana, in 2013 she began to undertake post-graduate research that required her to spend time in the country. On completion of his master’s degree, she headed back to New Jersey, only to be confronted with one of the most shocking examples of police violence against African-Americans in recent memory.
“I remember hearing about the shooting of Mike Brown [by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri]. I had just got back in the country like maybe a day after it happened. And I remember sitting on my bed, looking at the articles in the news and the video of his body in the middle of the street in a pool of blood,” she recalls. “That’s when I decided to move to Ghana. I couldn’t continue with America. I needed to not be there. I knew that I always felt happy in Ghana, and that I felt free here.”
Now, five years later, she runs her own communications consultancy called Ford Communications, which specialises in public relations, customer service training and brand management with the purpose of bridging the gap between Africa and the west.
As a young woman with degrees from American universities, Marie has found making business connections in Ghana quite fruitful. She also notes that there are more opportunities and resources in Ghana than in her country of heritage, Jamaica. But she is aware of the privileges that being an expat affords her.
“If you’re a local with a high school diploma or even with a college degree, the labour market can be tough. Finding a job or getting compensated at a level that makes sense can be very difficult,” she says. “However, if you are foreigner…then your privileges are different. You have access to certain opportunities that locals might not. And because there are foreign companies coming in and setting up there might be more of a gap.” Because of this Marie says that she focuses on skills training and hiring locally.
Ababio says this is something that his office is keeping in mind. He is, however, excited by the possibilities the diaspora can bring to Ghana, through investment and business development. “For any government, you would want people to contribute through its flagship programs,” he says, referring to the ‘One District, One Factory’ industrialisation initiative, for example, which aims to create as many as 3.2 million jobs by 2022.
Essentially, through his office, Ababio hopes to attract investment from the diaspora and channel it into projects such as this one. “The more people that come to your country, the more they will get to know what is required. What is deficient, what needs improved on, what needs to be enjoyed.”
Ababio is pleased with the way the Year of Return is going so far. In January, CNN named Ghana as one of its 19 best places to visit in 2019. Lonely Planet is organising a specific Year of Return tour and a range of other African and black-owned tour companies are working on doing the same. There is a sense of expectation in the air.
The government is currently touting industry-led development with a focus on public-private partnerships. But the country still faces huge challenges; with a large youth population and high levels of unemployment and poverty, the government will have to balance the potential that comes with enticing tourists and foreign investment without exacerbating the already entrenched inequality in the country.
Source: equaltimes.org
Year of Return: WWE World Champion Kofi Kingston to visit Ghana after 26yrs
Reigning World Wrestling Entertainment Champion, Kofi Kingston has in a Facebook and Instagram post said he will be visiting home after 26 years. In a post that suggests he has heard the call to action in the trending #YearofReturn hashtag ‘Brafie’ #brafie and responding by inviting others to the slogan #LetsGoGhana, Kofi is will be returning home for a 4-day visit beginning May 30 to June 2, 2019 to pay a courtesy call on the President, Nana Akufo Addo and the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace as well as visit many tourist attractions including Lake Bosomtwi, Christiansborg (Osu) Castle, Bonwire, Ejisu and Komfo Anokye. He will be accompanied by a WWE crew who are shooting a documentary on him as World Champion.
Read the story below as published by WWE.com on Friday, May 9, 2019.
Kofi Kingston is going home. And, of course, he’s got a little extra luggage to take with him this time around.
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The WWE Champion revealed Friday on Instagram that he is planning his first visit to his home country of Ghana, West Africa since 1993 — part of a celebratory “Year of Return” in the wake of winning his first World Championship. A WWE film crew will be documenting the four-day visit, which includes a children’s rally, visits to Kofi’s maternal and paternal hometowns, as well as a courtesy call on the Ghanaian president, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and a visit to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asante Monarch.
Read the full press release below, and stay tuned to WWE’s digital channels for more on Kofi’s homecoming.
Journey to becoming World Champion
The New Day’s Kofi Kingston is powered by positivity, and he’s used it to catapult himself, Xavier Woods and Big E to new heights.
Since bursting on the WWE scene in 2007, Kingston has established himself as one of WWE’s premier high-flyers. That, paired with his upbeat attitude, made him a perennial favourite of the WWE Universe as he racked up Intercontinental, the United States and Tag Team Championships. Kingston also cemented his place in WWE history with a series of daredevil moments where he saved himself from elimination in several Royal Rumble Matches.
Above: Video of how Kofi Kingston won the title
When he joined forces with Big E and Xavier Woods to form The New Day, though, no one could have guessed that the trio of unicorn horn-wearing, Booty-O-chomping Superstars would achieve the feats that they have in WWE. In fact, the WWE Universe despised them at first but soon grew to love them.
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As a veteran member of the team, Kingston provides his wealth of knowledge to his younger compadres, and it has paid off. Not only has The New Day become one of the most popular factions in WWE history, but ya boys have held multiple Tag Team Championships between their stints on Raw and SmackDown LIVE, including the longest reign in WWE history – an astonishing 483 days.
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Kingston’s 11 years of hard work and dedication finally brought him to the dance at WrestleMania 35 where he challenged Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title. With the entire WWE Universe behind him, as well as his New Day brothers and the SmackDown locker room, Kofi beat Bryan to claim WWE’s ultimate prize. It just goes to show what the Power of Positivity can accomplish.
Kofi Kingston’s explains his unique Adinkra Tatoos
About Kofi Kingston
Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah(born August 14, 1981) is a Ghanaian-American professional wrestler signed to WWE, under the ring name Kofi Kingston, where he performs on the Smack Down brand, and is the current WWE Champion in his first reign. He is the first African-born WWE Champion and is also a member of The New Day along with Big E and Xavier Woods.
After graduating from college, Sarkodie-Mensah decided to pursue a professional wrestling career. He began performing on the New England independent circuit as a Jamaican wrestler by the name of Kofi Nahaje Kingston. After signing a developmental deal with WWE in 2007, he shortened his ring name to “Kofi Kingston”. Kingston debuted in WWE in 2008 using the same Jamaican character as he did on the independent circuit. In late 2009, he stopped being billed from Jamaica and dropped the accent although he kept his ring name. He then started being billed from his home country of Ghana.
Kingston spent much of his first few years in WWE on the midcard singles scene, during which he became a four-time Intercontinental Champion and a three-time United States Champion. In 2014, Kingston formed The New Day with Big E and Xavier Woods. The trio went on to break the record for the longest Tag Team Championship reign in WWE history when they held the WWE (Raw) Tag Team Championship from August 2015 to December 2016 while defending the titles under the Freebird rule. In April 2019, Kingston defeated Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35 to win the WWE Championship, his first world title in WWE.
He is the first African-born world champion in WWE history as well as its 30th Triple Crown Champion and 20th overall Grand Slam Champion (13th under the current format). In addition, Kingston himself holds the singular record for most days spent as a Tag Team Champion within WWE and is also known for innovative ways of suspending his elimination from Royal Rumble and battle royal matches. With the exception of a few months spent as a heel (villainous character) in 2015 with The New Day, Kingston has been a babyface (heroic character) for almost the entirety of his WWE career.
About Year Of Return
The “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” is a major landmark marketing campaign targeting the African – American and Diaspora Market to mark 400 years of the first enslaved African arriving in Jamestown Virginia. The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the Auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is leading the project in collaboration with the Office of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, the Panafest Foundation and the Adinkra Group of USA.
The Year of Return seeks to make Ghana the focus for millions of African descendants reacting to their marginalisation by tracing their ancestry and identity. By this, Ghana becomes the beacon for African people living on the continent and the diaspora.
The United States Congress recently passed an Act H.R. 1242 – 400 Years of African-American which is a historically significant milestone. Ghana’s unique position as the location for 75 per cent of the slave dungeons built on the west coast of Africa and the current President’s policy of making it a national priority to extend a hand of welcome back home to Africans in the diaspora cannot be overemphasised.
There are still numerous imposing European forts and castles harbouring harrowing reminders of an intense and complex history of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade in our land over centuries. This on its own has made Ghana the focus for millions of African descendants reacting to their marginalization by tracing their ancestry and identity.
However, even more, important is the recognition of Ghana as a beacon of hope for African people living on the continent and in the Diaspora. This status was earned not by coincidence but by conscious efforts to validate the struggles, strengths and linkages between African descendants on a Pan-African scale.
Winneba Aboakyer Festival 2019 in pictures and videos
This year’s Aboakyer Festival has been held at Winneba by the Effutu people. It was pure display of #culture, #tradition, #art and #craft.
On Tuesday the fisher folks had their day at the beachfront with the ‘tug of war’ and ‘regatta’ (canoe race) amongst themselves to usher in the festival.
Scenes from Aboakyer Regatta by the fisher folks to usher in the #AboakyerFestival2019 at Winneba. The events were keenly contested with hundreds of community folks cheering them. #SeeGhana #EatGhana #WearGhana #FeelGhana #FestivalsInGhana
Posted by Ghana Tourism Authority on Thursday, May 2, 2019
Scenes from Aboakyer Regatta by the fisher folks to usher in the #AboakyerFestival2019 at Winneba. The events were keenly contested with hundreds of community folks cheering them. #SeeGhana#EatGhana #WearGhana #FeelGhana #FestivalsInGhana
Scenes from Aboakyer Regatta by the fisher folks to usher in the #AboakyerFestival2019 at Winneba. The events were keenly contested with hundreds of community folks cheering them. #SeeGhana #EatGhana #WearGhana #FeelGhana #FestivalsInGhana
Posted by Ghana Tourism Authority on Thursday, May 2, 2019
The PinkThursday which is one of the new additions to the festival witnessed a large float through the principal streets.
Friday was for the parading of the gods by the two main Asafo groups. The Otuafo Asafo No. 1 and Dentsifo Asafo No. 2 through the town.
Tuafo Asafo No.1 group of Otuano Royal Stool House parading their god at #AboakyerFestival19 #AboakyerFestival2019..#festivalsInGhana #SeeGhana #EatGhana #WearGhana #FeelGhana
Posted by Ghana Tourism Authority on Friday, May 3, 2019
Tuafo Asafo No.1 group of Otuano Royal Stool House parading their god at #AboakyerFestival19 #AboakyerFestival2019
Winneba prepares for #Aboakyer deer hunting as they gather sticks for the hunt which starts at 5am tomorrow. #Winneba. #FeelGhana..#festivalsInGhana #SeeGhana #EatGhana #WearGhana #AboakyerFestival19 #Aboakyer2019
Posted by Ghana Tourism Authority on Friday, May 3, 2019
Winneba prepares for #Aboakyer deer hunting as they gather sticks for the hunt which starts at 5am tomorrow.
Tuafo Asafo No.1 group of Otuano Royal Stool House parading their god at #AboakyerFestival19 #AboakyerFestival2019. They then dip the god 3 times in the sea and proceed with the procession. FeelGhana
Dentsifo Asafo No.2 group of Twafo Royal Stool House parading their god at #AboakyerFestival19 #Aboakyer #Festival of the Efutu. They process with the god through the principal streets of #Winneba. #FeelGhana
Then came the durbar day on Saturday, when the two Asafo groups set out to hunt for the deer at 5am. The first group that makes a catch then presents it to the durbar grounds for the chief to step on before it is sacrificed on Sunday.
Paramount Chief cautions Aboakyer festival celebrants against negative acts
Winneba (C/R) May 3, GNA – Neenyi Ghartey VII, Paramount Chief of Effutuman and President of Effutu Traditional Council has appealed to celebrants of the 2019 Aboakyer to desist from negative activities that could mar the beauty of the festival.
He mentioned some of the negative acts as drunkenness, drug abuse and the indecent dressing that could carry another meaning to visitors.
https://www.facebook.com/ghanatourismauthority/videos/510428639490480/
The Omanhen made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after a Regatta and Tag-of-War events between Fisherfolks at the Winneba beach, which formed part of the weeklong activities of the festival.
The event was jointly sponsored by Multipro Industries Limited (Indomie), Ghana Tourism Authority and Continental Christian Traders (CCT).
The festival which is themed “Sustaining our rich cultural heritage: our youth, our future”, commenced on Friday, April 27 and will be climaxed with a grand durbar on Saturday, May 4.
Aboakyer is celebrated with two gallant Asafo companies, who hunt for a live deer and the first group to arrive at a colourful durbar grounds with their catch will present it to the paramount Chief who will step on it three times as part of the traditional and customary rites.
In the afternoon of the same day, the Chiefs and Asafo companies will process through the principal streets amidst royal drumming, dancing and singing of Asafo songs to the Omanhen’s palace and later in the night with a state dance to crown Ms. Aboakyer of the year.
According to Neenyi Ghartey, the festival was significant to the growth and prosperity of the Area and expressed the need for all natives of Effutuman, home and abroad to attend the festival in their numbers and contribute their quota towards the development of the Town.
Source: GNA
James Town to James Town: NAACP’s historic trip from Virginia to Ghana to connect the black Diaspora to Africa
To mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America, the government of Ghana launched the “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” in a quest to encourage African Americans and the black diaspora to return to the country where their ancestors were kidnapped and enslaved.
Since its announcement, the Year of Return campaign has gained the interest of several diasporas ready to make the trip back home. In January, it was also officially endorsed by the government of Jamaica through its Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, who was present at the Caribbean launch of the Year of Return in Kingston.
More recently, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has announced the Jamestown to Jamestown Memorial Trip to Ghana as part of the Year of Return activities.
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Announced by Diallo Sumbry, Ghana’s first Black American Tourism Ambassador at the 50th NAACP Image Awards in Hollywood, California, the James Town to James Town memorial trip to Ghana is expected to be patronized by willing diasporans and members of the NAACP.
The historical tour will begin in James Town, Virginia to mark 400 years since the arrival of the first enslaved Africans at the landing site and will end in James Town, Accra, a former port and slave market with significant monuments and sites in relation to slavery and colonisation.
The tour is expected to start on August 18 from Washington, DC by bus to Jamestown, Virginia for a prayer vigil and candle lighting ceremony marking the African “Maafa,” a term describing the horrific suffering embedded in the past four centuries related to the enslavement process. A return trip back to DC for a special gathering at the National Museum of African American History and Culture designed by Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye will be followed by the departure to Ghana.
In Ghana, there will be 7 to 10 days of rich cultural, spiritual and cathartic experiences which include a Business, Investment & Development Summit, Black Tie Gala, AfricanAncestry.com DNA Reveal Ceremony, Cape Coast and Elmina Castle Visit, Assin Manso Last Bath Slave River and a trip to Kumasi for the Akwasidae Festival at Manhyia Palace of the great Ashanti Kingdom.
Speaking on the tour at the 50th NAACP Image Awards which was attended by several stars including Tracey Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Beyonce, Jay Z, and Taraji P. Henson, Ambassador Diallo Sumbry said: “I am honoured to manifest partnerships with organizations such as the NAACP to be able to help push how Africa is represented and promoted to the Black diaspora and contribute to this movement in the milestone Year of Return. Jamestown to Jamestown is an effort to connect the Black Diaspora’s present to our African past in ways to empower and invigorate the continued struggle for full liberation and justice worldwide.”
The event is in partnership with several huge businesses in Africa and the U.S. and the Adinkra Group which Diallo Sumbry is the founder.
Why the ‘slave Bible’ had full chapters removed
A publication by NBC News has revealed how the slave bible used to teach slaves had several pages and in some cases, whole chapters removed to “Instill Obedience And Uphold Slavery”.
The “Slave Bible” on display at Washington’s Museum of the Bible has a mere 232 chapters, showing how whole chapters were removed to instil obedience, prevent rebellions and promote the horror of slavery.
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Where slaves begun their journey to the Americas
CNN Travel Lists Ghana as top place to visit in 2019
Inside Ghana’s Elmina Castle is a haunting reminder of its grim past
Watch the full report below:
Source: NBC News
US College students spend unforgettable spring break in Ghana
Tallahassee Community College students came on a trip of a lifetime to Ghana during their Spring Break of 2019. The group arrived in Accra, Ghana, on March 16, 2019, to begin their tour.
This is the second year that professor Forster Agama, the group’s leader, has successfully coordinated the Study Abroad Trip to Ghana.
On March 17, the group had a guided tour of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the Independence Square where they learned about the history of Gold Coast and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the 1st Ghanaian to be elected President of the Republic of Ghana. They later visited the University of Ghana and then continued on to Ho, the capital city of the Volta Region.
Yasmine A. Ameli, a first-year student at TCC, said, “This trip was everything I needed rolled into the span of 10 days. I discovered parts of myself and a certain kind of peace I never knew existed. We tend to forget what life is about in the midst of school, work and our personal lives. This … gave me more insight to what my life’s purpose is. I am forever grateful for what this opportunity provided. Africa is (truly) where it’s at.”
While in the Volta Region, the group had the opportunity to visit the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary and Sacred Grove. This community was inhabited by the Sacred True Mona Monkeys, who were believed to have lived there prior to the arrival of the ancestors of the local community. The group learned about the community, their traditions, and then later went on a hiking tour to Wli Falls, which is the highest waterfalls in Ghana.
“Wli – allowed me to flow,” Giovanni King, a TCC student said. “I enjoyed visiting the Wli waterfalls; it was definitely worth the hike and I would do it again if given the chance.”
Jazmine Hawkins, a sophomore student at TCC comments, “The only way to describe the trip to Ghana is absolutely incredible. It was a big culture shock for me since I knew nothing about Ghana except that it was in Africa prior to this trip. Seeing how people live differently in a whole other continent was just incredible. I loved everything about it and hope to go back someday.”
The enthrallment did not end there; the group continued on to the Ashanti King´s Palace in Kumasi, which was used by the Ashanti kings until 1974. They explored this historic site, visited the museum as well as stopped at the Kente clothing weaving village, Adanwomase in the Ashanti Region to learn about the creation and the tradition of Kente clothes.
At the Adinkra village, the students were introduced to the traditional meaning of the Adinkra symbols of the Ashantis. They also participated in a workshop and designed their own print clothes.
“Growing up in a similar culture to the one in Ghana, this trip was nostalgic,” Zamia S. Taleghani, a first-year student at TCC, said. “I always knew what was presented in media about Africa was not always depicted honestly. I am now equipped with the experience this trip offered to combat the negative stereotypes and ideas presented in our everyday society. It was such a breath of fresh air, literally and metaphorically.”
The expedition to the Assin Manso Slave River was breathtaking, to say the least. This was where the captured Africans from the Northern part of Ghana and other parts of Africa had their last bath. The group continued on to Cape Coast Castle(dungeons and the door of no return) which was used to hold the captured before they were loaded onto ships and sold in the Americas, especially the Caribbean as slaves.
Jasmine Morris, a TCC student states, “Overall this was a great trip. I enjoyed learning about Ghanaian culture. It was quite an experience to be able to walk through and see special places contained in history. Being able to travel to a land in which my ancestors lived was especially emotional and exciting. All of the tours were great learning experiences and I learned a lot of information.”
As the trip advanced to its final days, the group visited a typical Ghanaian village close to Cape Coast and were welcomed by the elders of the village during an official greeting ceremony. The group toured the primary school being built by the community, made monetary as well as material donations to the school, and held a school lesson for the children. After taking lunch in the village, the students were treated to a typical cultural performance by the women and children of the village.
“What I enjoyed during the trip was going to the village and visiting the school and the church,” Muraiye Pierre, a sophomore student at TCC said. “The home-cooked meal that they made for us was delicious. I honestly wish I could have spent more time with them. The fact that they were so grateful and excited for the little that we brought and donated filled my heart with joy. Two of the kids from the village gifted me with drawings that they made that is now placed beautifully on my wall in my room. I will remember them forever.”
Finally, the group stopped at the Kakum National Park, an undisturbed virgin rain forest and one of the most frequently visited national parks in Ghana. They enjoyed the view from the Canopy Walkway over seven bridges and tree-tops at 40m height.
Mary Wilson, a TCC student says, “Traveling is a huge component of a study abroad experience. I was grateful for the opportunity to visit historical sites such as the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Memorial Park, W.E.B. DuBois Centre, and the Assin Manso Slave River. I will treasure these memories forever.”
“Visiting Ghana was by far the most amazing and humbling experience I’ve ever experienced. I’m eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to visit such a beautiful country, full of beautiful people of all shades of colour,” said Torrence Harrell, a final year student at TCC.
Hillary Eaton, one of TCC’s student travellers, said, “My overall experience in this program, and in Ghana, was very life changing. I feel very blessed to have been able to return to my roots and learn about a culture that was once lost to me and so many people.”
For more information about this or future trips to Ghana, contact Forster Agama at 850-201-8058 or agamaf@tcc.fl.edu.
Source: tallahassee.com
Year of Return: Heritage And Cultural Society of Africa Summit to be launched
The Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA) will on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 launch the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA Summit) 2019 at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra on Tuesday Aril 30, 2019 at 6pm.
About Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA)
The HACSA Summit will bring leaders, practitioners and academics from all over the African Diaspora to discuss the 400 Year Legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Trade in Enslaved African People, the impact on and linking of affected Communities and Innovation and creative strategies to overcome its effects.
To learn more visit: thehacsa.org
Ghana Diaspora Celebration and Homecoming Summit 2019 to be launched
The Office of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of The President will on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 launch the Ghana Diaspora Homecoming Celebration 2019 at the plush Marriot International Hotel, Airport City.
The event which is under the theme ‘Recognising Diaspora Contributions Towards Nation Building’ will take place at 8:30 am with support from the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Business Development, and GIPC.
About Ghana Diaspora Homecoming Celebration 2019
Ghana was virtually built by her diaspora. From historic contributors such as Tetteh Quarshie and the Big Six to current difference makers like the CEO Group and Patrick Awuah, Ghanaians who left the shores and came back have played pivotal roles in the nation’s development. Yet recognition of the Ghanaian diaspora has been a virtual afterthought.
The Ghana Diaspora Celebration will use July 3rd through 6th in 2019 to do just that. The programs designed for this celebration will highlight and recognize diaspora contributions to nation building while delivering convincing advocacy for policies and systems to facilitate the unleashing of significantly more contributions from the Ghanaian diaspora.
2019 Edina Bakatue festival launched
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman was the special guest at a colourful ceremony graced by the Paramount Chief of Edina Traditional Area, Nana Kwadwo Konduah VI to launch the Edina Bakatue Festival at the forecourt of the Paramount Chief’s Palace at Elmina in the Central Region.
In attendance were the staff of GTA, The Municipal Assembly, The Chiefs and People of Edina, Police Personnel, the media and the general public.
This year’s festival is under the theme “Buy Made In Ghana Goods, Use Made In Ghana Goods and Promote Jobs for the Youth. This is part of the continuous efforts by Nana Kwadwo Konduah VI addressing the growing unemployment amongst the youth.
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