Highlights of Ghana’s 2019 Year of Return — worth every moment!
When the President of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, proclaimed 2019 as the Year of Return for Ghana, to bring back home our brothers and sisters from out in the diaspora, it was so that they could have reason to trace their roots back to the country.
And it sure did work. In the months that followed there was a massive turn-in of people-of-African-origin back into the motherland to enjoy their African heritage and hopefully ‘find’ themselves. It was a big deal for many. Even for those who had no reason to be involved, there was the thrill of seeing the continent for the first time and they still came in to get a taste of African culture in Ghana.
These ‘diasporans’ could be spotted everywhere and anywhere, and with ease too. Their dressing style, their behaviour out in public, and of course the unmistakably noticeable accents were a total giveaway.
And all of these happenings were good for the economy and the local trading folk. A lot of money did change hands. These ‘returnees’ patronized everything; locally made art, symbolic artifacts, locally made clothes, sandals, and a whole lot more. They bought for themselves and for friends + family back home.
The Accra Art Centre, at the centre of the old city, reportedly recorded one of its biggest patronage ever in the last six years since it was refurbished. If this tradition should continue, Ghana could soon be positioned as an indelible target destination on the world map for a lot of people looking to experience the full African package.
Even though people clearly enjoyed themselves, there was also the need for vigilantism. The risk of crime is always a reality. Foreigners could get caught up in the ‘fun without borders’ and forgot about security. But thankfully, this season rolled on trouble-free due in large to the able Ghana Police force who were ever present to make sure that nothing hindered the wonderful initiative.
Every major event was a breeze, as heavily armed personnel, were always a glance away.
So yes, there were loads of events especially as the year drew nearer it’s end. #DecemberinGhana was heavily packed with events. It was not uncommon to be at a loss to what choice you had to make for a night’s outing. It seemed like event organisers were deliberately pit out against each other to see whose event would get the most attendees.
Not surprisingly, all events were usually jam-packed and heavily attended. Ticket prices were at an all-time high; the average starting at over 300 US dollars, and VIP tickets closing in at 1000 US dollars. For most locals this meant Christmas was to be spent indoors, watching cable television, and peeping your Instagram and Snapchat stories ever so often during the stretch of the holidays.
Yet all in all, the YEAR of RETURN was a good idea for the country of Ghana and plans should be underway to have the momentum continued and encouraged annually in any way possible. We’d encourage all who couldn’t make it to Ghana to plan for 2020 and beyond. #BeyondTheReturn
