Ghana 2019: The 'Year of Return' that invited the diaspora to come home

In September 2018, in Washington, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo issued an unusual call: he declared 2019 the 'Year of Return' and invited Africans in the diaspora, particularly African Americans, to come back to travel, invest, or even settle in Ghana. The initiative would go around the world.

Why 2019?

The choice of date was no coincidence. 2019 marked 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia in 1619. Ghana, whose coast features more than thirty forts and castles built between 1482 and 1786, many of which were used in the slave trade, is a major site of memory for the descendants of those who were deported.

A program filled with festivals and meetings

Throughout the year, the country hosted a multitude of events: the Afrochella and Afro Nation festivals, Detty Rave, the Panafest festival, and the Full Circle Festival. Prominent figures from the diaspora made the trip, including Idris Elba, Naomi Campbell, Cardi B, Steve Harvey, and wrestler Kofi Kingston. Actor Michael Jai White even received a chieftaincy title, Nana Oduapong, from the paramount chief of Akwamu.

Ties that become concrete

The symbolism was matched by a legal gesture. On November 27, 2019, President Akufo-Addo granted Ghanaian citizenship to 126 people from the diaspora who had been living in the country for many years.

What is the outcome?

Official figures announced up to 1.5 million expected tourists and 1.9 billion dollars in revenue. According to data cited by Wikipedia, international arrivals increased by 18% and airport arrivals by 45%, with the average spending per tourist rising from 1,862 to 2,589 dollars between 2017 and 2019. These figures come from the authorities and should be read with caution.

After 2019: 'Beyond the Return' and the criticisms

In December 2019, Ghana extended the momentum with 'Beyond the Return,' a ten-year plan (2020-2030) dubbed a 'decade of renaissance,' intended to promote tourism, investment, and the return of the diaspora.

The initiative was not universally acclaimed. Some observers believe that by 2024, the arrival of new residents has contributed to rising prices in certain neighborhoods and criticize the authorities for not having sufficiently prepared for the long-term economic effects.

Key takeaways

The Year of Return made Ghana a benchmark for states that want to reconnect with their diaspora. It also serves as a reminder that such a bond is built over time, with benefits to be shared between those who return and those who never left the country.