Ghana and Rwanda become star example for Africa on Pan-Africanism
- The Year of Return has seen Ghana embrace and open its borders to African-Americans and all Black people
- 2018 and 2019 has seen African-American celebrities who traced their roots back home visiting Ghana in honour of their ancestors
- Rwanda’s Paul Kagame has also urged Africa to define its own course, reject validation from the West and take critical steps towards self-determination and meaningful development
Ghana has become a star example after embracing and opening its borders to African-Americans and all Black people which serves as a trailblazing example for other African countries to follow.
Similarly, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, has urged Africa to define its own course, reject validation from the West and take critical steps towards self-determination and meaningful development.
In September 2018, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo launched ‘’The Year of Return, Ghana 2019’’ in Washington D.C and in 2000, the West African nation’s parliament passed the Immigration Act, further welcoming Africans in the diaspora and providing the “Right of Abode” for any “Person of African descent in the Diaspora” to travel to and from the country “without hindrance”.
2018 and 2019 have seen African-American celebrities who traced their roots back home visiting Ghana in honour of their ancestors.
Most these celebrities have visited the El Mina ‘‘Slave Castle in Ghana’’.
The Castle was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, and the oldest European building in existence south of the Sahara.
This enabled the country to earn some foreign exchange and shape of a narrative around Pan-Africanism.
President Akufo-Addo’s initiative to reconnect African-Americans to the continent is a continuation of the Pan-African movement which is central to the progress of Africa and Black people.
W. E. B Du Bois and his wife Shirley moved to Ghana in 1961 and died there.
Du Bois founded the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) alongside other African-Americans.
In Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has acknowledged the importance of the continent growing together, charting and redefining its own way without interruption from outside has urged African leaders to unite for the social, economic and political progress of the continent.
In a number of speeches, President Kagame reiterated the importance of Africans doing things on their own terms, defining our own culture, politics and governance.
The act of opening up Ghana’s borders has led to many African-Americans, many who have suffered injustice under the flag of the United States, to relocate back to the continent, and many others are considering retracing their roots.
Ghana’s progress, and Kagame’s speeches and continued action need to be replicated all over the continent. It first starts with African countries opening their borders and being receptive of each other.
Meanwhile, photos of Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson popped up online after The Year of Return took to its Facebook page to share photos of the American actor who is currently shooting a documentary, Sunken Slave Ship, in the country.
The world-acclaimed American film actor arrived in Ghana in August 2019 to participate in activities marking The Year of Return.
Faces of Ghana: Meet the Innovative CEO of Salon on Wheels | #Yencomgh
READ ALSO: Go off social media if you want to accomplish anything in life – Duncan-Williams
Have national and human interest issues to discuss?
Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?
Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.
Source: YEN.com.gh
