2019 “The Year of Return” for the African Diaspora

In the month of September 2018 in Washington, DC Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, formally launched the “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” for Africans in the Diaspora, reinvigorating the quest to unite Africans on the continent with their brothers and sisters in the diaspora.

At that event, President Akufo-Addo said, “We know of the extraordinary achievements and contributions they [Africans in the diaspora] made to the lives of Americans, and it is important that in this symbolic year—400 years later—we commemorate their existence and their sacrifices.”

More than 40 Hollywood celebrities stormed Accra, Ghana this past Christmas to kick off the “Year of Return 2019.” The town’s tourist sites, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs were crawling with top stars such as Idris Elba, Naomi Campbell, Boros Kojoe, Michael Jai White, Anthony Andersen, Jidenna, Gbourey Sidibe, Rosario Dawson, and Nicole Parker…...just to name a few.

Boris Kodjoe, whose father is a Ghanaian, was appointed Ambassador of Film for Ghana by Catherine Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture in May 2018. In November 2018, the actor announced in a video that he planned to bring 40 of his celebrity friends to Ghana for the Christmas Holidays. From the photos, it appears that our celebrity guests enjoyed Ghana’s vibrant culture, people, and food.

WTC Accra invites our fellow WTCA members to take part in “The Year of Return.” Come explore Ghana in 2019!