2019 is the Ghana year of return, a major landmark Of spiritual and birth-right journey inviting the Global African family, home and abroad, to mark 400 years of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia. And 126 Diaspora people have been conferred Ghanaian Citizenship to Mark the Event.
In commemoration of this year of return, the president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, 27th November, 2019, conferred Ghanaian citizenship on 126 Diasporans, who have lived in Ghana for many years.
Speaking after the conferment ceremony, President Akufo-Addo stated that “I am glad you have decided to make Ghana your home, and thereby, join several generations of Diasporans, who committed their lives to us.”
He noted that several persons, including the likes of George Padmore, Bob Marley’s widow, Rita, Maya Angelou, and W.E.B du Bois all found homes in Ghana, with the latter buried in the country.
In addition, The President stated that Ghana recognizes her position as the location for 75 per cent of the slave dungeons built on the West coast of Africa, through which the slaves were transported.
“That is why we had a responsibility to extend a hand of welcome back home to Africans in the diaspora. Many have responded to this call, and the ‘Year of Return’ has so far proven to be a joyful and learning experience all round for all of us,” he said.
The President also urged the fresh Ghana Citizens to respect and abide by the laws of Ghana, and live in accordance with the tenets of Ghana’s Constitution.