In Ghana, they are currently celebrating the Year of Return. During this period, they are welcoming members of the African Diaspora with open arms.
2019 marks 400 years of the arrival of the first slaves in Jamestown, Virginia from Ghana. “The Year of Return, Ghana 2019” celebrates the resilience of all the victims of the slave trade who were forcefully taken from Africa and displaced in North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean.
President Barack Obama said “there is a special sense for African Americans of somehow connecting up with a part of yourself that you might not have been aware it was there.” He is absolutely right! To hear the leadership welcome the Diaspora to Ghana and apologize for the injustices we’ve collectively faced after getting removed from the motherland, affirmed my spiritual connection and solidified my journey back home.
The warmth was felt everywhere we went. We were greeted and welcomed by citizens we encountered in restaurants, during the tours, in the villages, at the mall… literally everywhere. They embraced us as their “sisters” and “brothers”.
For me in particular, it was beautiful to see various establishments have flags displayed to represent where members of the African Diaspora currently live. The gesture symbolized the sentiment of us all being a part of one family and sharing the same origin regardless of where we are in the world.
Stay tuned for a recap of Panafest-the greatest African homecoming experience on earth.
Until next time,
Xoxo