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Year of Return: Be conscious of your African roots – students told
Participants at this year’s Pan-African Student Summit have been told to be cognizant of their ancestral root no matter how long it takes for them to discover their African identity.
The call was made by various speakers at the event who shared their individual stories about how they eventually became interested and identified with Pan-Africanism.
They included Diallo Sumbry, President & CEO of The Adinkra Group, Akwasi Agyeman, CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority, Prof.Esi Sutherland-Addy, Chairperson, PANAFEST Foundation, Paul Kwaw, Executive Director, W. E. B Du Bois Centre for Pan African Culture among others.
A section of participants at the Summit
The two-day Pan African Student Summit which came off at the African House of the University of Ghana engaged university students of African descent from the Diaspora with Ghanaian university students to participate in critical discourse and think tanks on essential topics toward the liberation of all African people around the world: identity and social issues, economics and entrepreneurial possibilities, education, and global health and wellness.
Mr. Agyemang who is also Coordinator for the Year of Return speaking to the press at the Summit said for the visiting students it was such a great delight for him that they could be in the country to experience things for themselves and further be part of such an important discourse.
Speakers at the Summit
He added that the Year of Return Steering Committee and Secretariat will continue to support any individual, group, institutions and initiatives that will help bring more people from the diaspora into the country.
The March 8 and 9 Summit also included a collaborative service learning day at Echoing Hills School where summit participants had a lot of activities with kids and teachers at the school, including painting, games, planting of water melon seeds at the school’s garden and lot of fun-filled educational activities.
Planting melon seeds at the Echoing Hills School
The Pan-African Student Summit is an initiative of 3GC Inc., True Culture University in partnership with CA Study Abroad, Antique Lemonade and the African American Association of Ghana with support from Year of Return – Ghana 2019.
Participants helping to paint Echoing Hills School
Year of Return: Back2Africa breaks ground for community library & borehole in Eastern region.
On 7th March, The Back2Africa Festival and Tour service day was in alignment with World Book Day, a day to promote reading, as the group of nearly 100 first time travellers to Ghana spent the day with the Akuapem Educational Service Partnership, at Nyame Bekyre School in Akuapim breaking ground for the establishment of a library and borehole in the community.
The Back2Africa team worked in partnership with the International Partnership for Economic and Sustainable Development to raise funds and books for the future library. The library groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Madam Martha Eghan, HeadMistress of Nyame Bekyre Municipal Assembly Basic School, Okoman Panyin of Akuahene’s Palace and Akwasi Agyeman CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority.
The Service Day at Akuapim was the final activity in Back2Africa’s 10-day schedule which included a calendar of arts, entertainment, cultural, and historic experiences at some of Ghana’s most historic venues in Kumasi, Cape Coast and Accra.
“Back2Africa Festival and Tour is one way we are committed to rebuilding the connections between Africa and her diaspora —culturally, spiritually and financially. As much as we want our group to enjoy Ghana, we also want to provide them with an opportunity to reassert their identities as Africans by giving back hence the launch of the Akuapem Educational Service Partnership where we made a commitment to impact the lives and education of the community through building a library and a borehole,” shares Diallo. ‘Daheart’ Sumbry, Founder of The Adinkra Group, an African Cultural Edutainment Resource and Consulting company based in Washington, DC and organisers of the Back2Africa festival.
The 2019 Back2Africa Festival and Tour was launched on the 26th of February at the Accra Tourist Information Centre for a welcoming communal festival called the “Akwaaba” Village featuring local Ghanaian homemade drinks and traditional fashion and artworks from local vendors. The Festival continued in Accra with the Back2Africa edition of JustMusic for an intimate live performance featuring Raheem Devaughn & Wes Felton of The CrossRhodes, an Open Mic/Jam Session in partnership with the African American Association of Ghana (AAAG) and the Back2Africa Birthright Concert, a family-oriented event celebrating Africa’s cultural legacy through traditional and modern African Dance, Drum and Theatre.
The Birthright concert was held at the National Theater was co-hosted by Ghanaian Actress Ama K. Abebrese and founder of the Adinkra Group, Mr. Diallo “Daheart” Sumbry.
From Accra, the group travelled to Cape Coast where they visited the historic slave dungeons that also included the Spirit of Resilience Concert and an emotional African Ancestry Reveal where travellers were given the results of their DNA ancestry.
“Back2Africa Festival and Tour served as an opportune occasion for us to reconnect with the culture and traditions of Ghana and also engage in a cross-cultural exchange with artists from both the US and Ghana including American socio-political musical duo, Raheem DeVaughn and Wes Felton who were visiting Ghana for the first time, intergenerational West African Drum and dance company, Farafina Kan, High life Sensation, Kwan Pa Music Band, Ghanaian actress Ama K. Abebrese, flutist Dela Botri, and the Ghana International School Ensemble,” adds Sumbry, a current and founding member of the Year of Return Steering Committee.
The Back2Africa Festival and Tour began in 2018 with a mission to reconnect people of the African Diaspora to the culture and traditions of Africa with a line-up of events that focuses on arts, performances, education and service projects in Ghana’s most historic venues. The 2019 edition was a part of the “Year of Return” programming, a year-long calendar of activities in “celebration of the resilience of the African spirit” coordinated by Ghana Tourism Authority, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Back2Africa festival partners include South African Airways, SunSeekers Tour, WaxPrint Media, African American Association of Ghana (AAAG), Ghana International School (GIS) and African Ancestry.
Year Of Return: “Come with an open mind and heart” – Mona Boyd invites Diasporans
Landtours, Ltd. is a tour company operating out of West Africa at a really bustling time for tourism in the area. 2019 marks what has been deemed the ‘Year of Return’ for people of African descent in the diaspora, a call to action that marks 400 years since the first slaves were kidnapped and sold into the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The ‘Year of Return’ calls for people in the African Diaspora to make a birthright trip “home” to West Africa.
With that in mind, Landtours is uniquely positioned to provide travelers with the immersive experiences they’re seeking on these journeys. Here, we talk to Landtours CEO Mona Boyd about what makes the company’s tours special and why the ‘Year of Return’ is so important for travelers and the countries that they’re exploring.
YOR Official Video
Travel Noire: What was the impetus to start Landtours?
Mona Boyd: My Ghanaian Husband and I, with our 18-month-old son moved to Ghana in 1993 and started an independent car rental company (now Avis Rent a Car). During the first year of providing car rental services, we noticed our customers frequently asked us to provide tour and destination management services for them. We would often be asked to make a hotel reservation in a tourist destination outside Accra, or to recommend a restaurant for a special occasion. The most common question was “my family is coming to visit me; what can I do with them?” After one year of giving free advice, we set up a tour and travel company called Landtours Ghana Ltd.
TN: You could’ve easily curated tours that highlight markets, safaris, and luxurious beaches. What made you choose immersive experiences?
MB: From my past experiences traveling throughout West Africa, I knew the region had so much more to offer than just museums, beaches and markets. I wanted to show the magnificent countries in which we operated to the world and in the very best light. I also wanted to debunk everything negative Americans, Europeans and others had learned about Africa. My team and I felt the only way to do this was to showcase the people and their culture, and to ensure that the traveler(s) had an up close, people-to-people cultural exchange experience. I felt that descendants of African slaves particularly needed to be welcomed back to Africa in the most sensitive manner.
I wanted African Americans to leave West Africa changed forever; with a deeper understanding of their heritage, identity, and of what happened to their Ancestors 400 years ago.
Tourists arriving for Pan-African Students Summit
TN: What are some challenges Landtours faced in its first years of operation? How did you adjust?
MB: I not only had all the challenges of getting two start-ups up and running in a country with almost no business infrastructure or service culture, I was also adjusting to a brutal culture shock. To be honest it was an overwhelming experience for the first three years. At the time we started our businesses, Ghana did not have a service industry, and there was very little knowledge about what service should look like.
How did I adjust? I was unrelenting about our standards, hired the smartest people I could find, and trained them to deliver the service our clients expected. My biggest breakthrough came when I realized I needed to stop expecting everyone to be like me and work like me. I leaned in more to better understand what was most important to Ghanaians. Through the change I made in my management style, I was slowly able to win employees trust.
TN: Which destination is currently most popular among Landtours travelers? Why do you think that is?
MB: Landtours’ Ghana, Togo and Benin Cultural Package are the most popular. Travelers have an opportunity to experience the people and culture of three different countries. Furthermore, they also experience the difference between an Anglophone Ghana and two Francophone countries; Togo and Benin. It is interesting to see how the British and French cultures have influenced the people and their institutions in all three countries.
TN: Which destination do you feel doesn’t get the shine it deserves? What should travelers know about it?
MB: About seven years ago we discovered Sao Tome and Principe, an off the beaten track group of Islands located off the Atlantic shore of Gabon. Sao Tome and Principe offer the closest experience I have had to be in the Garden of Eden. Everywhere you look are blossoming flowers, deep green foliage and everything about the Islands exude pure relaxation. The Islands have no high rise buildings, are not over-crowded, and there are very few cars on the road.
In addition to the stunning beauty of the islands, the people of Sao Tome and Principe have a very interesting story to tell. These beautiful, laid back and warm people are descendants of the captured Africans who were on the way to the Americas when they became shipwrecked and ended up on the Island of Sao Tome and Principe. The islands were colonized by the Portuguese, and the Africans on the ship ended up in slavery in Sao Tome. Like all slaves who were sent to the Americas, the people of Sao Tome and Principe have no tribal/ethnic identity. Although they descended from tribes of many places in West Africa, they identify themselves as people from Sao Tome and Principe.
TN: We know that the ‘Year of Return’ is of special significance for African Americans and others in the African diaspora, but what does it mean for the people of West Africa?
MB: There has been a lot of buzz in Ghana about the Year of Return, and I posed the question to ten Ghanaians of “What does the Year of Return mean to you?” The answers I received fell into three categories:
20 percent said that the Year of Return meant an opportunity to showcase Ghana’s culture and learn more about Ghana’s history. 20 percent said it meant Ghanaians will have an opportunity to learn more about their brothers and sisters in the Diaspora. 60 percent said that the Year of Return means a very good business opportunity for Ghanaians.
This is what I expected most Ghanaians would say about the “Year of Return.” Unlike African Americans, most Ghanaians do not articulate any emotions about the transatlantic slave trade. They know the slave trade took place, but do not feel it is about them.
TN: What do you hope travelers gain from being part of a Landtours experience?
MB: I hope travelers will have an experience that will ensure they learn, grow and be changed forever. I also hope that they will come to understand we are all connected and are far more similar than we are different. The colour of our skin, the shape of our body, or the texture of our hair is only about environmental adaptation. What makes us the same is our humanity, and we should celebrate our differences in its full glory.
TN: What’s the most fulfilling part of being at the helm at Landtours?
MB: I love, love, love what I do! But there are three things that I love the most: One, I love providing incredible experiences for travelers and exceeding their expectations. Two, I love working with intelligent young people and motivating, guiding and coaching them to discover their considerable talents, and just how much they are capable of doing. Third, I love being successful and winning every day. It gives me an incredible sense of pride and achievement
TN: What’s next for Landtours? What are your plans for the coming years?
MB: Currently we work in West Africa but our goal is to provide tours and travel services everywhere on the African Continent.
TN: What’s your last piece of advice for travelers new to West Africa?
MB: Come with an open mind and heart, and you will truly be touched by the wonderful people and cultures of Africa.
Sirigu (SWOPA) Still Rising
Sirigu Women Organisation for Pottery and Art (SWOPA) has won the Tourist Attraction of the Year for Upper East Region. Under the auspices of the Ghana Tourism Authority, SWOPA, as the community initiative is called, chalked the feat last week at the tourism awards programme held in Bolgatanga.
Focused on traditional art and craft, Sirigu has easily become a destination of choice in the northern half of Ghana. It has attracted all classes of people from around the world. Whilst serving as UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan actually found time to pay the SWOPA centre a visit. Furthermore, the Sirigu designs have become so well-known that portions of the Golden Tulip Hotel and Mmofra Place in Accra have been decorated with the design.
For those of us who are familiar with the Sirigu success story as well as the inspirational leadership provided by Madam Melanie Kasise this latest feat is not surprising.
Having had a teaching career spanning nearly four decades, Madam Kasise was eventually faced with the inevitable – retirement. As she went through her old boxes one day, she found her long- forgotten undergrad long essay. Her project work was on reviving the dying wall designs of Sirigu. She brought out the book, dusted it and said no to a boring retirement life. Madam Melanie Kasise has never looked back since.
In 1997, when her colleague retirees were coasting to their last days on earth, Madam Kasise’s new life had just begun. She mobilised 54 local women to form the Sirigu Women Organisation for Pottery and Art (SWOPA). Today, the association has become a vibrant umbrella body with about 300 young and old women. The members learn and practise trade in traditional wall designing, pottery, basketry canvass, painting and Tye and Dye. One exciting aspect is that visitors can also come for workshops in any of these skills.
In addition to arranging walking tours around the community, SWOPA also provides simple but quality tourist services. The compound houses a museum, workshop, restaurant and a traditionally styled 5-room guesthouse. By popular demand from tourists, also a five-bed dormitory caters to group visitors.
It has been my long desire to spend a weekend at the SWOPA Centre. To get to Sirigu, I moved from Bolgatanga, the Upper East capital, connecting through Vea and Zokko. An alternative route is branching off at Kandiga junction on the Bolgatanga-Navrongo Highway and driving for another 17km. I checked into one of the air-conditioned rooms built a la local style. After settling in, I asked one of the SWOPA tour guides to accompany me on an evening stroll. We took a short cut to town. Our walk took us across dry river beds. Dominating our surrounding were giant trees such as Baobab, Dawadawa and Kapok. It was not exactly a lonely walk as we met other folks on foot and on bicycles.
The moon was full and shiny, and everything in sight was bathed in a glorious, bluish
hue. As we walked under trees, the moonlight filtered through branches and leaves
before splashing us. This produced a romantic, neon effect. Indeed, the moonshine combined with the savannah landscape to present an Arabian Night scene.
We found the centre of Sirigu abuzz with activity. It happened to be the evening of a market day. At the main lorry station, heavily loaded trucks were leaving for Kumasi and Accra. They left with some pottery, livestock and Dawadawa. A couple of teenage passengers looked eager to start the journey that will take them away from home. All they carried were a few personal effects bagged in black polythenes. It was easy to predict that, these young men and women are on their way down south to Kumasi or Accra to gamble with destiny.
The day’s market session is nearly over yet die-hard traders do not appear to be packing off. I saw bottled kerosene, local gin, sweets and cigarettes for sale. I also saw bread, grilled meat and fruits. In need of a snack, I settled for some hot koosey. My guide, offered to buy me pito to wash it down with. Excellent idea! But I told him not to bother since the local beer featured prominently in my plans for the next day.
We continued our night walk and encounter a crowd of children at the video centre.
They have queued to watch “London Get Problem”, one of Agya Koo’s video films. Next
to the video house is a mobile phone retail centre which pleasantly surprised me. Eagerly, I made a few calls and signalled Ferreol for the return walk. Back at the SWOPA centre, I was served with a bucket of water for my bath. I had a good night’s sleep, except for one disappointment –
I couldn’t dream of “Arabian Nights” like I had planned to.
To be continued…
By: Kofi Akpabli
UB40, others rock at three-day Stanbic Jazz Festival
On the first day the 2019 Stanbic Ghana Jazz Festival, legendary music group UB40 wowed the audience with songs from their repertoire.
They did songs like ‘If It Happens Again I’m Leaving’, ‘Cherry Oh Baby,’ ‘Kingston Town,’ ‘Fijian Sunset,’ ‘Many Rivers To Cross’ and ‘Red Red Wine.’
The nine-piece English band dished out great reggae tunes from their repertoire that got almost everybody singing along at La Pleasure Beach.
With four big screens mounted by the sides of the performance area, the audience not close enough to the players could still see every detail of action on the stage.
The Blue Rhythms, an in-house Stanbic Bank band was the first to perform.
Daughter of Pat Thomas, NanaYaa came on stage next to serve the audience with her craft.
She did Ella Fitzgerald’s old jazz classic ‘Summertime’ and rendition of a Nii Oblie original called ‘Accra Is Sweet.’
Ghanaian guitarist Akablay and his Abiza Band with their Nzema groove, also did works from his five albums and then roped in his ever popular ‘Take Away’ which features Cabum.
The show continued on Friday with more enthralling performances with other artistes like Saxophonist Steve Bedi and singer reggae artiste Knii Lante.
The three-day Stanbic Ghana Jazz Festival ended on Saturday, March 2 with a bash at the Fantasy Dome at La in Accra.
The show featured SSUE, Francis Osei, Wanda Baloyi from South Africa, Kyekyeku and the three festival headline acts: Salif Keita, Richard Bona and UB40.
Source: Citinewsroom
Heritage Caravan: Day 3 – Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama hosts at Gbawa Palace
Yendi came alive on Monday when the newly enskinned Yaa-Naa, Abukari Mahama hosted patrons of the Heritage Caravan at the Gbewa Palace.
It was a colourful durbar of many remarkable cultural display.
Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II welcomed the team with kola nuts which signify his acceptance of their visit.
If you think Borborbor, Adowa and Kpanlogo were the only vibrant dances in Ghana then you are wrong because the Damba, Bamaaya, Takai, and Billa dances are close competitors.
These dances which are components of the rich Dagbon heritage were showcased at the durbar.
Patrons on the Heritage Caravan joined the dance warriors for some lessons.
The Yaa Naa joined patrons as they danced to the vibrant transitional tunes of the Dagbon people.
The Heritage Caravan’s aim was to pay homage to the overlord of the Dagbon state.
The team was led by Citi FM and Citi TV‘s Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Attah-Mensah who is also sub-chief in Tamale with the name, Malizali Naa.
Citi FM and Citi TV‘s General Manager Bernard Avle was also around.
The visit to the Gbewaa Palace was to pay homage to the overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom and also to learn about the heritage of the Dagbon people.
About the Heritage Caravan
The Heritage Caravan gives patrons an exciting experience, as they tour various regions and exciting destinations of the country.
This year, the Caravan will be visiting 14 of the 16 regions but will be sleeping in 8 of them.
It’s an opportunity for Ghanaians to know their country as Ghana in the month that Ghana celebrates its independence.
The Heritage Caravan has been running for the past four years.
Over the years, patrons have been taken to the Stilt Village in the Western Region, Nzulenzu, the Adaklu Mountain in the Volta region, the Manhyia Palace in the Ashanti Region, the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in the Brong Ahafo Region, the Gamashie, Jamestown in Accra, the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles in the Central Region among other places.
The Caravan has also taken patrons to the Mole National Park.
This year’s Heritage Caravan would also visit the Kakum National Park, the Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary, Kintampo Waterfalls, Paga Crocodile pond among others.
Aside all the amazing places patrons would be visiting, there would other activities on the side like Bonfire night, barbeque, beach party and a masquerade party.
This year’s Heritage Caravan started on the 2nd of March and ends on the 9th of March.
This year’s trip is sponsored by Campari, Maggi, Golden Tree, GCB, Voltic and Donewell Insurance.
The Heritage Caravan forms part of activities to mark Citi TV/Citi FM’s Heritage Month commemorated in the month of March every year.
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By: Kojo Agyemang | citinewsroom.com
Ghanaian models KvngsOfTheNewSchool feature in BBC documentary
A group of models from Ghana whose unique appearance caught the eyes many at last year’s Afrochella have been featured in a BBC documentary.
The group KvngsOfTheNewSchool comprising GlennSamm, Mohammed Black, Tsutsublema and Efo Kayleb got featured in a documentary by Thomas Naadi for BBC Africa during one their fashion installation at Afrochella.
The group since this event, has made appearances at other festivals and events including Fuse ODG’s This is New Africa, Kente Party early this year in Accra.
With the Year of Return being celebrated in Ghana this year, KvngsOfTheNewSchool have positioned themselves to avail themselves for activities that would require their services.
The Year of Return, Ghana 2019 is a major landmark campaign targeting the African – American and Diaspora Market to mark 400 years since the first slave vessel docked on our seas.
The programme is put together by Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and in collaboration with the Office of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President.
As the fashion and modelling industry keeps growing in the country, the group’s feature on BBC is of great significance.
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By: Kwame Dadzie | citinewsroom.com | Ghana
2019 Heritage Caravan: Day 2 – Patrons tour sites in Ashanti Region
Day 2 of the Heritage Caravan took patrons to the Ashanti Region after having breathtaking experience in the Volta Region.
The journey to the Ashanti Region was a little over 6 hours but the mood on the bus made it seem like it was just a stone throw.
The brief stop at the Bunso Arboretum was breathtaking. The 6.5 hectares plant conservation and research centre has over 1,000 species of plant. The area is a protected forest reserve.
As part of efforts of the CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute to raise funds and to diversify the attraction at its arboretum, management of the institute engaged a Ghanaian private investor to build the second canopy walkway in Ghana, modelled after that of the Kakum National Park in the Central Region of Ghana.
It took the local engineers one year to build the magnificent walkway using materials such as wood, safety net, aluminium ladder, nails, bolts and knots among others. The walkway is Two Hundred and Eighty (280) meters long, forty feet (40ft) high and has five (5) bridges.
Other features of the edifice are the six platforms and fences where tourists can rest while on tour of the walkway.
The forty (40) acres arboretum is home to in-situ and ex-situ plant species with over 600 timber trees, 110 species of birds and 300 species of butterflies.
While some the Heritage Caravan patrons were taken through horticulture lessons others patronized the canopy walk.
The Caravan’s final destination in the Ashanti Region was the Noda Hotel.
Patrons refused to sleep as they enjoyed a variety of activities including pool party, cultural display and a mini kente expo.
Day 3 of the journey will be taking the caravan to Yendi in the Northern Region.
The Gbewa Palace will come alive as the newly enskinned Yaa Naa will host the Heritage Caravan.
About the Heritage caravan
The Heritage Caravan gives patrons an exciting experience, as they tour various regions and exciting destinations of the country.
This year, the Caravan will be visiting 14 of the 16 regions but will be sleeping in 8 of them.
It’s an opportunity for Ghanaians to know their country as Ghana in the month that Ghana celebrates its independence.
The Heritage Caravan has been running for the past four years.
Over the years, patrons have been taken to the Stilt Village in the Western Region, Nzulenzu, the Adaklu Mountain in the Volta region, the Manhyia Palace in the Ashanti Region, the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in the Brong Ahafo Region, the Gamashie, Jamestown in Accra, the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles in the Central Region among other places.
The Caravan has also taken patrons to the Mole National Park.
This year’s Heritage Caravan would also visit the Kakum National Park, the Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary, Kintampo Waterfalls, Paga Crocodile pond among others.
Aside all the amazing places patrons would be visiting, there would other activities on the side like Bonfire night, barbeque, beach party and a masquerade party.
This year’s Heritage Caravan started on the 2nd of March and ends on the 9th of March.
This year’s trip is sponsored by Campari, Maggi, Golden Tree, GCB, Voltic and Donewell Insurance.
The Heritage Caravan forms part of activities to mark Citi TV/Citi FM’s Heritage Month commemorated in the month of March every year.
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By: Kojo Agyeman | CitiNewsroom
2019 Heritage Caravan: Kente and Borborbor in Volta Region mark day 1
There was hardly a moment of rest for the Heritage Caravan team on day one of the eight-day trip across Ghana, but given all they were treated to, they would certainly not have minded.
The group set off from Accra and headed to the Volta Region early on Saturday.
But before their departure, the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly hosted the patrons to a farewell ceremony, with lots of food, drinks and great, authentic Ga music from Dromo Naa.
The team then arrived in the Volta Region and were treated to lots of fanfare.
At Agotime Kpetoe, the participants experienced the rich cultural heritage of the area with a display of the Borborbor dance.
Next was an exhibition of varieties of kente and the weaving itself.
Then came the inevitable local feast. All went for the hugely popular ‘Totokpakpa’, a local delicacy made of corn dough and a sauce made with okro.
The team also visited the Ghana-Togo border crossing at Awudome where a road divided Ghana from Togo.
The Chief of the community, Togbe Letsu VIII was excited to receive the team.
During the mini durbar in the honour of Heritage caravan, the DCE of Agotime called on Citi FM to shine a spotlight on their unending water troubles as their only source of water is the river in the community, which they are not able to get water from for domestic use when it dries.
They appealed to the team to help construct a new water plant for the community.
The team then wrapped up day one of the trip and moved to the Volta Serene Hotel to settle in, and have dinner.
This was not without some great music by the Kwan Pa band’, ending the night on a high.
Some of the exhausted but excited patrons expressed their joy when they spoke to Citi News.
The Heritage Caravan will head from the Volta Region to the Ashanti Region today, Sunday on day two of the fun-filled eight-day road trip. This year’s trip is sponsored by Campari, Maggi, Golden Tree, GCB, Voltic and Donewell Insurance.
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By: citinewsroom | Ghana
Year of Return: African Diaspora in Ghana for Back2Africa Festival
Close to a hundred African Americans have arrived in Ghana for the second edition of the annual ‘Back2Africa Festival.’ The group who touched down at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra earlier this morning was later treated to a welcome reception at the Accra Tourist Information Centre.
The guests were welcomed with cultural display and a sweet cocktail local drinks and small chops. The Farafina Kan: Sound of Africa band who were part of the group also performed to delight of guests at the event.
Among the guests were Mr. Akwasi Ababio, Chair of the Year of Return Steering Committee and Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, Coordinator of the Year of Return and CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Gail Nikoi, President of the African American Association of Ghana, Nana Adjoa Adobea Asante, acting Director of the National Folklore Board and two other Diasporans from the Caribbean, the press and the general public.
For the next ten days, the group will be engaged in a lot of activities in Accra, Cape Coast and Akuapem in the Eastern Region. The activities include, a special edition of Just Music at Django’s Bar, an Open Mic /Jam Session at the Rehab Beach Club at Labadi, Birthright Ghana Concert at the National Theatre, Spirit of Resilience Concert at the Cape Coast Castle and a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a borehole and library at Akuapem.
The Back2Africa Festival is an initiative of the US-based Adinkra Group in partnership with the Directorate for Diaspora Affairs at Office of the President and the Ghana Tourism Authority as part of activities marking Year of Return – Ghana 2019 year-long celebration.
Source: Voyages Afriq