In 2019, Ghana commemorated 400 years since the first recorded African slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia.
Giving a truly remarkable acceptance speech at AAI’s 40th Annual Awards GALA, in New York on Tuesday September 24, 2024 The President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo proudly shared the remarkable success of the country’s Year of Return initiative at the the Africa-America Institute (AAI) gala and awards held in New York this week, stating:
- We welcomed over 1 million visitors from the Americas, reconnecting them with their ancestral roots.
- Ghana served as a beacon for people of African descent worldwide, inviting them to explore their heritage.
- Our nation, once a key transit point in the transatlantic slave trade, transformed into a symbol of homecoming and reconciliation.
- The campaign significantly boosted Ghana’s global profile and garnered positive international media attention.
‘By extending a hand of welcome to the African diaspora, we not only honoured our shared history but also forged stronger bonds for the future. The Year of Return wasn’t just a commemoration – it was a celebration of resilience, identity, and the unbreakable spirit of African people everywhere.’
Standing ovation truly deserved for the 80 year-old gentleman president who ended up speeding the rest of the evening mingling with guests and chatting away for what seemed like the rest of the night.
