Since September, Effia Afful and her friends have been calling Accra establishments to reserve tables for the Christmas season, trying to beat other fun-seekers to it.

“You have to reserve your tables now because by the time you are ready, there will be no table left,” said the 30-year-old advertising executive.

In recent years, Ghana has become a December hotspot. It began in 2018 with President Nana Akufo-Addo’s call-to-action in Washington DC, urging Black people in the diaspora to visit Africa. The “Year of Return” was launched in 2019 to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in the state of Virginia in the US.

Members of his cabinet assured visitors of a warm welcome, with one calling them “Josephs and Josephines who were sold into slavery and have come back home”.

Since then, thousands of people including celebrities such as Chance the Rapper, Dave Chappelle, Erykah Badu and Gabrielle Union have thronged to a country that has long seen itself as home to all Africans. Benin followed in Ghana’s footsteps to launch a similar project.

“Ghana has always been big on tourism,” said David Clay, founder of the Accra-based entertainment and event consultancy Gold River.

“But the number of people coming in December skyrocketed,” he added, “because the communication wasn’t just to come and tour but to come and get in touch with your ancestors.”

This November, 524 settlers were granted citizenship.

“We love Ghana, we love the ­culture,” said San Diego-born Chaz Kyser, a 45-year-old entrepreneur and speaker, whose relatives were among the cohort. “We like being around Black people all day long and Black people in positions of power.”

The impact has been most evident in entertainment and hospitality: ­several concerts were announced and videos of people partying until sunrise emerged on social media.

There has also been a rise in vegan restaurants, bars and beach clubs. The popular Nigerian ‘gentleman’s club’ Silver Fox opened an Accra branch staffed with Colombian strippers.

“Even with cocktails, the dynamics have changed to the extent that now, you go to an outlet, the guys are doing infusion with local elements,” said Kojo Aidoo, manager at Front Back, an Accra restaurant and ­gallery. Some returnees have launched their own ventures. Kyser, who has lived mostly in Ghana since 2016, ran Serenity House Ghana, an event centre with a bed and breakfast wing and a workspace for more than a year.

It employed 13 people, all locals, and according to its owner hosted more than 100 events. But it ran out of funds and shut down in March despite becoming relatively well known in a short time.

“People would call me from Barbados and be like: ‘Oh, I heard about Serenity House,’ said Kyser. “It was gorgeous because I put so much intention and money into it, and so closing it was heartbreaking. But it didn’t make sense to keep putting money into something where I wasn’t going to get a return for a long time.”

However, while outsiders see Akufo-Addo’s call to action as a master­stroke, many within Ghana say it has been a bittersweet ­experience.

Service providers in particular have inflated their prices and in some cases set them in dollars instead of the Ghanaian cedi, even as the ­economy dipped. Consequently, the price of everything from braids to apartments has doubled.

“On one hand, you get access to all types of celebrities. You could be sitting in a local bar and Idris Elba is two feet away from you,” said Nigerian-born Clay, who attended university in Kumasi, 125 miles north-west of Accra. “But many activities and their pricing have been centred around the visitors, ­creating something of a segregation.”

Locals primarily blame the government for inflation, but also African Americans, even though many only come in December to party, then leave. Those who stay behind account for just a small percentage of the influx, which also includes returnee Ghanaians and white tourists.

Many settlers say they love Ghana, despite the challenges of ­navigating life in a new country, including ­predatory pricing even in ­government dealings. Some are buying real estate, some, controversially, to integrate themselves into society.

Kyser, who has relaunched her business to focus on curating events, says a lot of stereotypes trail the foreigners. “People think Black Americans, because we have dollars, can come and make housing prices rise, food rise,” she said. “I think ­people don’t recognise that there’s a lot of Ghanaians with money.”

She added there were “Black Americans who live here like me who think in terms of cedis [Ghanaian currency], and Black Americans coming for a vacation”.

“The majority of Black Americans who are coming here are middle class and they’re most likely struggling,” she said of those coming here to live.

“They’re coming here because their money will go further and because they want to live in the country of their ancestors.”

These days, some residents now go outside the city to find alternative sources of pleasure.

Afful and her crew have settled for bonding with nature at the Aburi mountains on weekends, “rather than walking into the club and end up spending 3,000-4,000 cedis (£160-£210)”.

And they blame their president: “I don’t think Akufo-Addo was ready when he made that open statement saying people should return home.”

Earlier this week, Stevie Wonder made headlines by officially becoming Ghanaian, having signed the necessary documentation to solidify his connection to the West African nation.

The dinner event, held in celebration of Stevie Wonder’s 74th birthday, coincided with his special day.

Guests at the reception were treated to an unforgettable evening of music and camaraderie as two musical icons shared the spotlight.

Stevie Wonder is officially Ghanaian ??

This is the Private Reception for Grammy Winner Stevie Wonder at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana ?? pic.twitter.com/NYmdetLTS0

— BlacVolta (@BlacVolta) May 13, 2024

Stevie Wonder, known for his timeless classics and immense contributions to the music industry, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception he received in Ghana.

Rocky Dawuni, a prominent figure in Ghanaian music, joined him on stage for a memorable performance, showcasing the rich cultural exchange between the two artistes.

The event not only honoured Stevie Wonder’s remarkable career but also celebrated the deepening cultural ties between Ghana and the global music community.

Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time, the duo would share a stage to celebrate a moment.

Rocky Dawuni on July 24, 2011, shared a stage with Steve Wonder, who played the harmonica, as he performed his tunes including ‘Extraordinary Woman’ from his album ‘Hymns For The Rebel Soul’ at The Hollywood Bowl.

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Speaking in an interview with Accra FM, Bisa Kdei bemoaned the promotion of foreign music during the December in GH period.

“During recent Year of Return events, I don’t think we use them well enough for ourselves. There are instances where foreigners come to experience Ghanaian music but end up listening to other genres.

We know a lot of people came to Ghana during the Year of Return, but a lot of shows were not playing Ghanaian songs but promoting other genres,” he said.

He also noted that some promoters have hindered the rise of Ghanaian music, especially at the global level, due to their negative approach towards the music industry.

According to Bisa Kdei, it is very wrong to say Ghanaian music is not good enough while downplaying the efforts of the musicians, who put a lot of handwork into the craft.

Bisa Kdei also stated that the badmouthing of some promoters has also limited the growth of our music, especially with investors not willing to invest in the industry.

“You would have some promoters say no Ghanaian artiste can’t sell the O2 Arena, and they keep downplaying the efforts of the Ghanaian artistes.

“Let’s say good things so that it will encourage others to do their best. Nobody should say our music is not that good because some other artistes come to Ghana and even learn,” he said.

Bisa Kdei is currently promoting his heartfelt single “Medaase” which is gradually making waves across the country.

In an announcement posted on Twitter, he revealed that he hopes to make it back into the country soon but this time, with a large group of people.

Chance the Rapper promised that persons interested in coming along with him to Ghana would feel at home.

“Ghana will celebrate its 65th year since it FOUGHT and gained its independence. I wanna go back in a big group in July. I promise you’ll feel at home,” Chance The Rapper wrote.

The announcement was accompanied by a video compilation the rapper seemed to have done during his time here.

Some things captured in the video include his travels, hikes, interaction with some locals, the Black Star Square and others.

Since arriving in the country, the award-winning musician has been spotted at numerous places and events.

One of his activities that got the country talking was his visit to a church on Sunday (January 9) morning.

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According to a post on Instagram, the church where he worshipped was built by his family years ago.

He also revealed that his family has built a school in Jamestown.

Also, he linked up with many musicians including Darkovibes, Sarkodie, King Promise and M.anifest.

Chance The Rapper also met with President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.

He visited the seat of government with his friend and colleague, Vic Mensa.

The purpose of their meeting, according to the handlers of Beyond the Return’s Instagram page, was to discuss an idea that could aid in bridging the gap between artistes in Ghana and the U.S.

Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa hope to use their strong ties and relationships in the music industry to connect artistes as well as amplify the talent in Ghana and the rest of Africa.

Speaking on Showbiz A to Z on Joy FM he stated that no show had any comedian featured or headlined neither did they have one specifically for comedy.

“When the Year of Return came out we were totally forgotten by the Ministry. What Year of Return comedy-ish thing did you see? So it is an initiative by the government but until they get you involve you can’t necessarily involve yourself,” he stated.

DKB stated that the Year of Return was an avenue for comedians in Ghana and their works to be noticed by the international communities who had come

He, however, said he understands the Ministry may have had budgetary allocations and hence did not factor in comedians.

But, he believes Ghana comedy needs to be taken to the next level including featuring comedians in programs like the Year of return to highlight their craft.

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About Year of Return

The Year 2019 marked exactly 400 years since the first black slaves landed in Jamestown Virginia in the US. 

Ghana initiated the Year of Return to invite all diasporans back home to not only learn more but explore and even invest in the country.

Since this initiative began many African Americans have made their way into the country to learn more about their history. Some include Steve Harvey, Samuel L Jackson, Anthony Anderson, Micheal Jai White, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Diggy Simmons and many others.

The Tourism Ministry outlined numerous activities including the ‘December in Ghana’ events to bring the Year of Return to a fruitful end.

The programme includes Afro Nation, Afrochella, Gold Coast Experience, Full Circle festival, Ghana Festival of Light and many others.

According to the Ghana Tourism authority, it spent ¢6 million in marketing ‘Year of Return’ both locally and internationally.

To ensure that the Year of Return was here to stay government ‘Beyond The Year of Return – a Birthright’ initiative.

Experience Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Pathways to Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Brand Ghana, Give back to Ghana are the pillars this initiative is being based on, the Tourism Minister, Mrs Oteng Gyasi, in May, told George Quaye on Showbiz A to Z.

These, she explained, are to help give Beyond the Return the clarity it needs and pave way for easier travels to Ghana and more investments.

However, the launch of the 10 year program has been pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tourism Minister has stated that although the coronavirus has had an effect on a lot of initiatives, preparations are still ongoing for ‘Beyond The Return’ program.

Speaking on Showbiz A-Z on Joy FM, Sharifah Issaka stated that a team was put together in Ghana to shoot scenes for the video and by extension, the ‘Black is King’ visual album.

Shatta Wale flew outside the country to shoot his scenes with Beyoncé for the music video, she revealed.

“She really wanted to come but her schedule was mad,” Sharifah told George Quaye, host of the show.

Her comments come after many people expressed confusion about whether Beyonce did come Ghana to shoot the music video or not.

Sharifah stated that her team was given directions, roles and had the singer’s production company communicate to them what Beyonce wanted.

She stated that they shot the scenes in various places in Accra, the country’s capital.

The producer explained that they were unable to go to the other parts of the country for the shoot because it was time-bound.

“However, the team made sure to shoot scenes in different parts of the capital that are hardly explored,” she added.

This comes after many African Americans and those in the diaspora flooded Ghana for the ‘Year of Return’ initiative.

Giving the State of the Nation Address, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana must become a place where Africans in the diaspora visit at least once in their lifetime.

He revealed that they are aiming to achieve the milestone through ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative.

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The government intends to implement a campaign-oriented project, ‘Beyond the Year of Return – a Birthright,’ over a 10-year period to continuously carry out activities to sustain the Diaspora relationship and build on the positive impact of the initiative.

“The Ministry of Tourism and its leader, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, and the rejuvenated Ghana Tourism Authority are heading the charge to make our country an attractive irresistible destination, a place of pilgrimage, a nation that anyone with a hint of African blood must visit at least once,” President Akufo-Addo said.

According to him, the foundation has already been set with the success of the ‘Year of Return and the two Tourism institutions are already putting the measures in place to take Ghana Beyond the return.

The President thanked Ghanaians for the overwhelming support extended to the members of the diaspora when they traveled to the country.

He explained that the warm reception by Ghanaians contributed to the success which is now being built on.

“I believe we can confidently say that the designation of 2019 as the ‘Year of Return’ and the vents that emanated from that decision, has certainly left an afterglow, that Ghana can and must cherish, Ghana became the centre of attention in the African diaspora and indeed much of the world,” the President noted.

President Akufo-Addo said that the plans for ‘Beyond the Return’ would continue to help grow the success chalked by the ‘Year of Return’ initiative.

According to the President, the Year of Return sparked an afterglow that Ghanaians must cherish to the core hence the need to keep it blazing to put Ghana on the map consistently.

Naming Beyond the Return as the sub initiative, the First Man of the country during his 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA) said: We’re putting measures in place to take us beyond the return. The Ministry of Tourism and Ghana Tourism Authority are leading the charge to make Ghana an attractive and an irresistible destination.

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He further thanked Hollywood stars such as Boris Kodjoe for championing the idea of inviting colleague ace actors and celebrities to visit Ghana.

We are grateful for leveraging their star power to attract thousands to the land of their fathers as Ghana is the land of opportunity to make others invest and we are grateful to their contribution.

The Year of Return, 2019, was linked to the 400th anniversary of slaves landing in the United States (US) – said to be the first recorded arrival of enslaved Africans in the Americas.

Ghana was a key transit point for transporting slaves and the president said his country felt a responsibility to welcome all those who could trace their ancestry to Africa. 

The ‘Year of Return’, 2019, was linked to the 400th anniversary of slaves landing in the United States (US) – said to be the first recorded arrival of enslaved Africans in the Americas.

Ghana was a key transit point for transporting slaves and the president said his country felt a responsibility to welcome all those who could trace their ancestry to Africa. 

“We believe we have a responsibility to extend a hand of welcome back home to Africans in the diaspora,” President Akufo-Addo said.

So can we gauge how successful this initiative was for Ghana?

How many more people visited Ghana?

At the beginning of 2019, the Ghana Tourism Authority predicted the ‘Year of Return’ would attract 500,000 extra visitors.

Official data from January to September 2019 indicates an additional 237,000 visitors – a rise of 45% compared to the same period the previous year – with significant increases in visitors from the US and United Kingdom.

Ghana international tourist arrivals

However, we don’t know if this was specifically because of the ‘Year of Return’ initiative, as tourists were not asked to state this on arrival as the reason for their visit.

The apparent increase in arrivals in 2019 should be set in the context of an overall annual total of between 900,000 and one million foreign visitors to Ghana, a figure that has been generally rising anyway over the past few years, dipping slightly in 2018.

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When the data is published for the whole of 2019, we should be able to assess how unusual the increase for that year was compared to previous years.

Was there a boost to the economy?

Minister of Tourism, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, said the ‘Year of Return’ had injected about $1.9bn (£1.5bn) into the economy. 

And the Ghana Tourism Authority told BBC News this figure was an estimate based on multiplying total visitor arrivals, 763,545 between January and September, by the average spend per tourist, $2,590 in 2019.

Ghana was a major departure point for slaves taken to the Americas

But the total arrivals figure includes all international visitors, whether or not their visit was prompted by the Year of Return.

Bright Simons, a researcher at Imani Centre for Policy & Education think tank, has criticised the government estimates of the numbers of extra visitors.

And he says the average spend per tourist was less than $2,590.

The Ghanaian government also told BBC News a record 126 people had been granted citizenship in 2019.

And some from the diaspora, encouraged by the Year of Return initiative, have set up businesses, made investments or purchased property. 

Did it help promote Ghana’s image?

The government also said the Year of Return had drawn wider attention to Ghana and positively influenced international media reports.

Naomi Campbell was one of the celebrities who visited Ghana in 2019

The country attracted a number of celebrities in 2019, including model Naomi Campbell, actor Idris Elba, comedian Steve Harvey and American rapper Cardi B.

And the government said the equivalent amount of media attention and PR – if paid for – would have cost about $3.5m. 

Mr Simons told BBC News: “As a public relations and advertising feat, it was very impressive. 

“In that regard, I agree that it has been a success.”

Speaking to Joy News the actress said that the clear expression of the intention behind the initiative can help drive it better to the Africans in the diaspora.

AJ Johnson stated that new initiative should not be treated like the Year of Return which did not have an overall intention or focus.

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“I don’t know what the necessarily the overall intention was. Maybe that was the problem, is the overall intention education, spiritual enlightenment, or was it just returning period? If that’s the case there we did great, airlines were booming, prices were doubled, and everybody came back.”

She believes, however, that without the focus all the diasporans can do is come to the country and have a fun time.

AJ Johnson stated that “I wanna see what the true success measure is. If anything we just have to get more clear and I believe 2020 is the year of vision and clarity, we gotta get clear on what the intention is, I just think that it was a great idea with probably not with a great intention.”

The event is dedicated to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who will be honoured with the title “Pillar of Peace” for the extraordinary leadership role he played in restoring peace to the Dagbon Traditional Area after almost two decades of chieftaincy dispute that led to the loss of lives and massive destruction to property.

Among the diaspora, personalities are the Mayor of the City of Newark – New Jersey, USA, Ras Jua Baraka; the Vice President of the 33rd Legislature of the Virgin Islands, Senator Myron D. Jackson; the founder of the Panama World Trade and Investment Foundation, Dr. Melida Harris Barrow, and the Group Executive Chairman, GBSH Consult Group Worldwide, Prof. Dr. Ambassador Tel Edgars.

The African Premier Leadership Awards is instituted under the patronage of the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights (CIPDH Africa) in collaboration with E ON 3 Group, a Ghanaian Business Solutions Provider based in Accra.

Other implementing partners include GBSH Consult Group Worldwide, UAE-Africa Development Consortium, Future Africa Foundation, Novel Vision and the State Enterprises Commission.

The Executive Director of E ON 3 Group, Mr Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, told Graphic Online [ www.graphic.com.gh] in Kumasi on Friday that Dr. Melida Harris Barrow will be the Guest Speaker at the event, which will be chaired by Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Juabenhene and Chairman of the Council of State.

The ceremony ties in with the ‘Year of Return’ and will mark the last Akwasidae for the year.

Mayor Baraka, who is married to Linda Jumah, the daughter of former Kumasi Mayor and current Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries, Mr Kofi Jumah, expressed delight to be part of the event in Kumasi, at which he will be making a statement.

“It is always a privilege for us here in the African diaspora community in Newark to unite with Africa itself, for commerce, cultural programmes and, most importantly, the pursuit for global peace,” he said.

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Speaking on the ‘Year of Return’ initiative by the government, President Akufo-Addo expressed hope that Africans in the Diaspora enjoy Ghana’s warm hospitality and colourful heritage.

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“And to our brothers and sisters and others, who have come from beyond our shores, I hope you are enjoying the famed warm Ghanaian hospitality and proud colourful heritage,” he said.  

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“When you leave, I am sure you will take along with you splendid memories that will enhance further our common identity as black people. You will always have a home here with us,” the President noted.

About Year of Return

It has been exactly 400 years since the first black slaves landed in Jamestown Virginia in the United States. 

Ghana initiated the ‘Year of Return’ to invite all Diasporans back home to not only learn more but explore and even invest in the country.

Since this initiative began many African Americans have made their way into the country to learn more about their history. Some were Steve Harvey, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Anderson, Micheal Jai White, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Diggy Simmons and many others.

According to him, the initiative has placed the country in the good graces of Africans in the diaspora and raised the reputation of the country.

“It’s branded Ghana beyond what we could pay for. We had a whole congressional delegation and as Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I met some of these delegations, the Prime Minister of Barbados and when you hear them, the excitement and the connection to Ghana, it’s been fantastic,” he told Kojo Yankson on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Tuesday.

Mr Ablakwa urged the government to maintain the initiative and sustain the momentum it has created.

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“Of course there have been other issues of exaggerated data but we can put that aside and celebrate the ‘Year of Return’ for what it has come to represent,” he added.

The ranking member said regardless of the challenges he believes that the country could not have declared a better celebration adding that “we can all share our thoughts on what can be done to improve the celebrations as we reach a climax.”

About Year of Return

It has been exactly 400 years since the first black slaves landed in Jamestown Virginia in the United States. 

Ghana initiated the ‘Year of Return’ to invite all diasporans back home to not only learn more but explore and even invest in the country.

Since this initiative began many African Americans have made their way into the country to learn more about their history. Some were Steve Harvey, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Anderson, Micheal Jai White, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Diggy Simmons and many others.

The Tourism Ministry outlined numerous activities including the ‘December in Ghana’ events to bring the ‘Year of Return’ to a fruitful end.

The programme includes Afro Nation, Afrochella, Gold Coast Experience, Full Circle festival, Ghana Festival of Light and many others.

The Way Forward

Government is hoping to launch an initiative that would take over the ‘Year of Return.’

The initiative dubbed ‘Beyond The Year of Return – a Birthright’ was announced by the president at his recent media encounter.

The government intends to implement a campaign-oriented project, ‘Beyond the Year of Return – a Birthright,’ over a 10-year-period to continuously carry out activities to sustain the Diaspora relationship and build on the positive impact of the initiative.

The campaign is on the theme: ‘A decade of African Restoration 2020-2030.’

According to the Minister, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, the artiste, known in the music industry as Sarkodie, was appointed because of his contribution towards the ‘Year of Return’ campaign.

“Sarkodie was appointed a ‘Year of Return’ Ambassador in view of his contribution to the ‘Year of Return’ campaign when he received his award in the United States. He entreated everybody to visit Ghana as part of the ‘Year of Return’,” she noted.

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The Minister said this while responding to a question when she took her turn at the ‘Meet-The- Press series on Thursday.

“For that singular effort on such a major international platform we felt that he marketed the ‘Year of Return’ project and therefore he deserved to be made ambassador for the project. Unfortunately, it came at the tail end of the ‘Year of Return’,” she said.

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Reacting to his impact as an Ambassador, the Minister said “we are going to involve him very much in activities which are outstanding for this year and we will actually draw a programme for him in the ensuing projects that we are going to launch as a follow-up to the ‘Year of Return’.”

The Minister also announced government’s plans to introduce a 10-year comprehensive project to be launched in January 2020 to sustain the ‘Year of Return’ drive.

He said this during his meeting with the press at the Jubilee House, Accra on Friday, December 13, 2019.

According to him, Ghanaians should brace themselves for the “hundreds of thousands” wanting to trace their family roots in the Diaspora, especially Ghana.

“I am very happy to see the ‘Year of Return’ programme. We’re expecting lots of people; about hundreds of thousands who are going to come between now and the end of the year.

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“I’m hoping that our infrastructure will be able to handle and deal with [them] but it has also made a big boost to our tourism revenue,” he noted.

In Washington, D.C., in September 2018, President Akufo-Addo declared and formally launched the ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ for Africans in the Diaspora.

He gave fresh impetus to the quest to unite Africans on the continent with their brothers and sisters in the Diaspora.

Many African-Americans including Hollywood actors, media moguls such as Steve Harvey, Boris Kudjo, rappers TI and Cardi B among others have visited the sub-region to trace their roots and have fun.

Some of them have even been granted Ghanaian citizenship as part of the initiative as promised by the President of the country.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based ABCNews he said as long as diasporans are law-abiding when granted visas to come to the country, he cannot pass moral judgements on anyone.

His comments come after some Ghanaians raised questions about Byron Long showing interest in coming to Ghana as part of the Year of Return campaign.

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“I don’t even know who the porn star is. I don’t know him but I have also seen the story that says somebody is coming who is a porn star.

“Is pornography legal where he is coming from? If it is and he comes to Ghana and visits the castle or visits a place, what is wrong with that?” the CEO quizzed.

Mr Agyeman stated that the main aim of his outfit at the moment was to liaise with the immigration and security offices to track activities of diasporans.

He said the process is to make sure with the influx of people into the country, the state knows the diasporans are not into any shady activities.

“Once we open up our country for tourism, all kinds of people will come in. Even the risk of people with dodgy characters, potential terrorists and all of them are going to look at Ghana as a destination.”

“That is why we are working closely with the immigration, national security and the police service to make sure that at least data is collected and we can track,” Mr Agyeman added.

The rapper and his wife have announced a trip to Africa as part of the Year of Return initiative and are due to land in Ghana by 1 pm Sunday.

Lots of African-Americans in the diaspora have their tickets booked to Ghana to retrace their family roots and to experience the life and culture of people on the African soil.

More than a hundred thousand of foreigners are expected to be in Ghana and TI is not about to be excluded from the list.

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In an Instagram video of his wife, the two were seen announcing their trip to Africa.

It is not clear if the Whatever You Like rapper will team up with Cardi B at the Accra Sports Stadium tonight as she performs with Ghanaians stars such as Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Eno Barony, Medikal, Joey B among others.

See the video above.

According to him, there are no visuals such as billboards, activation or adverts showing Ghana is championing the initiative.

“You go to hotels and nothing shows we are having YoR initiative yet visitors are coming in and out and we don’t have anything showcasing the initiative. Go to the airport, anyone entering the country doesn’t have anything telling or showcasing Year of Return is happening in Ghana,” he said on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, monitored by Adomonline.com.

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The musician said the total awareness and transparency on the part of the government is key to make the whole Year of Return concept materialise.

Shatta opined that through such conscious efforts, local businesses will thrive and further create employment for the unemployed.

“Everything should show. This is the time we can have businesses grow. People come and enter president’s office. If they are signing checks we don’t even know. They should involve the citizens. We are the people who put them there to work for us. The next time they do this, they should educate us.

“This thing can create employment for everyone. People will get jobs to do. People are talking about how they’re suffering but no one is listening. There are no groups fighting the president to push the initiative. I believe what I am saying will get to them to perform better next time,” he told Andy Dosty.

According to the radio personality, the year of return has brought a lot of African–Americans to Ghana to witness on firsthand basis the struggles blacks went through during the slave trade era.

Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Star Thursday, the Comedian expressed gratitude to the president for the move.

“We have been once called Negros, blacks and finally to African–Americans and this has been our journey so far,” he said.

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He said he will use all platforms available to him to enlighten Blacks about Ghana’s significance in the dark history of the slave trade and urge all to travel to Ghana.

“We would never be the same after the year the president opened the year of return”.

“My mission now is to get tourism board of Ghana, South Africa and Botswana to work as a unit to bring more African-Americans first to Ghana,” he added.

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He noted a visit to the slave Castle will make African-Americans unravel the full truth of their history and appreciate the struggles of their grandparents.

The rapper, who is of Nigerian descent, indicated in a tweet on Tuesday that he will love to visit the gateway to Africa.

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Born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, the rapper wrote, Yo @WalesAgent I wanna go to Ghana … make it happen.

Yo @WalesAgent I wanna go to Ghana … make it happen

— Wale (@Wale) November 5, 2019

It is, however, not clear when the rapper, who is signed to Rick Ross’ Maybach Music label, will be making the trip should he go ahead with his plan.

This year marks exactly 400 years since the first black slaves landed in Jamestown Virginia in the U.S.

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The Year of Return initiative urges Africans in the diaspora to come back home, an initiative that has seen an impressive array of celebrities, including Steve Harvey, make their way to Ghana to explore, learn and appreciate their roots.

Recently, rapper Sarkodie, in his acceptance speech after winning the Best International Flow at BET’s Hip Hop Awards, urged African-Americans to come home as Ghana as part of the Year of Return.

Sarkodie was subsequently appointed an ambassador for the Year of Return.

According to Dr Bawuah, the ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’, which is a year-long celebration to mark 400 years of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia, has heightened the projection of Ghana’s rich culture and values to the world.

“The ‘Year of Return’ is still on and has so far been a success, especially on the international front,” he said.

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Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Dr Bawuah disclosed that there were series of exciting events to climax the celebration.

“I am praying and hoping Ghana doesn’t explode in December because a lot of people are eager to come for the climax of the celebration and it will be too late to book for a hotel now,” he said.

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The ‘Year of Return’, Ghana 2019 celebrates the cumulative resilience of all the victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade who were scattered and displaced through the world in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia 400 years ago.

Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Otchere

Steve who was in Ghana as part of the Year of Return initiative shared the emotional encounter with a group of people in Botswana as he sought to use the encounter to preach oneness of black people irrespective of where they find themselves on the globe.

You and I are the same, when I’m walking around Botswana, I ain’t no stranger. Y’all mine and am yours, said Harvey to the crowd who listened attentively.

He also told the gathering about the pain he felt as he visited Ghana’s Castles, from where slaves were shipped to America and Europe.

The Year of Return marks exactly the 400th year of African slavery.

The popular American comedian and television host said the second-worst day of his life was seeing and feeling the horrors that had transpired in the dungeons of the castles, adding that the worst day of his life was the day his mother died.

How dare they strip Africans of who we are, an emotional Harvey questioned.

I was just angry at what they did to us. How dare you create such an evil scheme to strip people of who they are and take us to this land, far away from where we were hated even more. Standing in the dungeon, where they took us from, what they stripped us of, our heritage, our land and our lineage, where we were kings, chiefs, queens and landowners, he narrated.

Harvey said for him and his fellow African-Americans, coming to Africa was like coming home to a place they have never been before.

America is a land of opportunities, but it has problems for us [blacks],” he said, referring to the racism blacks suffer in America.

He concluded by telling his audience that despite how successful he had been in America and the wonderful life he had created for his family, he wanted nothing more than to come home [Africa].

Watch the featured video for more.