Black Star Square (Independence Square) in Accra, Ghana
Washington, DC — Following a successful launch of the inaugural Back2Africa Festival in February 2018 and the Ghana Tourism US East Coast Visit in March 2018 with The Adinkra Group to promote Ghana as a prime tourism destination, The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) continues to bolster their efforts to promote Ghana as a prime tourist, business and investment destination for African Americans. In late August 2018, GTA partnered with The Adinkra Group and Sunseekers Tours to host a team of writers and photographers from the iconic EBONY Magazine in Ghana documenting lifestyle, culture and tourism which will be prominently featured in EBONY’s Power 100 issue in print and online later this year.
Underscored by The United States Congress’ recently passed Act, H.R. 1242 – 400 Years of African-American Experience, the launch of The Year of Return, Ghana 2019 will be held Friday, September 28, 2018. His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana will meet with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and hold a private town hall meeting for all Ghanaians at The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC.
The Year of Return, Ghana 2019 is the only centrally organized public-private partnership with an African nation commemorating the quatercentenary of the arrival of Africans in the United States. The Office of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President of the Republic of Ghana leads the steering committee, which is coordinated by The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the Auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in collaboration with the PANAFEST Foundation, Cultural Heritage African Tours, and The Adinkra Group. Given Ghana’s longstanding reciprocal relationship with African-Americans and the African diaspora under the banner of Pan- Africanism dating back to Ghana’s Independence, this partnership is both highly appropriate and inspiring.
Members of the press corps are invited to attend and learn more about the Year of Return Launch and should RSVP for attendance confirmation. Interviews with His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will not be granted however the Honorable Catherine Abelema Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, officials of the Ghana Tourism Authority and members of the Steering Committee may be available for interviews after the launch.
What: Year of Return, Ghana 2019 Launch
When: Friday, September 28, 2018 at 12 noon
Where: National Press Club
529 F Street NW, 13th Floor Washington, DC 20045
How: Send RSVP request with Full name, affiliation, phone number and email to: Denisha Henry at info@yearofreturn.com or call (240) 389-4044
For more details, visit www.yearofreturn.com
The Year of Return, Ghana 2019 – Programs (more programs to be added):
JANUARY 2019
“BRA FIE” Concert hosted by Damian Marley, Son of Bob Marley
Targeting Caribbean market and local Ghanaian youth involvement
FEBRUARY 2019
Back2Africa Festival to celebrate Black History Month
US music groups performances in Cape Coast Castle and AfricanAncestry.com reveals
MARCH 2019
Independence day activities
Key African American figures to celebrate Independence Day
APRIL 2019
Heritage Paragliding
Yearly paragliding festival
JUNE 2019
Homecoming and Investment Summit
Targeting second generation Ghanaians in the diaspora
JULY 2019
PANAFEST
Promote and enhance unity, Pan-Africanism, and the development of the continent of Africa itself.
AUGUST 2019
Emancipation / African American Investment Forum
Marking end of slavery in the Caribbean and an African American investment forum
NOVEMBER 2019
Ghana Carnival
Repositioning Ghana’s Carnival in the world Carnival market
DECEMBER 2019
Right to Return and Afrochella
A celebration by African Americans who received citizenship in 2016 and Major Youth Carnival in Ghana