Ghana granted citizenship to the Black diaspora, and most were Black Americans.

Ghana’s “Year of the Return” initiative, launched in 2019 to reconnect the African diaspora with their roots, has inspired hundreds of Black Americans to gain Ghanaian citizenship. The program commemorated 400 years since African slaves first arrived in Virginia in 1619, turning historical ties into opportunities for reconnection. Keachia Bowers and her husband, Damon Smith, were among 524 members of the diaspora granted citizenship in a November ceremony, the largest group since the program began.

Bowers and Smith, who moved from Florida in 2023, cite a sense of safety and cultural belonging in Ghana, contrasting it with racial traumas in the U.S. Their teenage son’s experience as a tall Black male particularly fueled their decision to relocate. Citizenship holds deep emotional value for participants, symbolizing ancestral connections and fulfillment of dreams deferred by historical injustices.

The program has extended into “Beyond the Return,” focusing on economic ties and fostering diaspora relations. Applicants gain citizenship through a presidential concession, and the initiative is expected to continue despite Ghana’s recent political changes. For many, like Jamaican food truck owner Deijha Gordon, the program offers not just economic opportunity but a profound sense of belonging and purpose.

Source: AP News