OPEN LETTER
H.E. John Dramani Mahama,
President of the Republic of Ghana,
FLAGSTAFF HOUSE,
Accra.
Thro’
Dr Callistus Mahama,
Executive Secretary to the President.
Cc:
Dr. Carla Barnett
Secretary General,
Caribbean Community Secretariat,
Railway Embankment,
Turkeyen,
Greater Georgetown
P.O. Box 10827, Guyana.
Tel: (592)222-0117; (592)222 0274.
Fax: (592) 222 0173
Email:carisecl@caricom.org, osg1@caricom.org
Hon. Kofi Okyere Darko
Presidential Advisor,
Diaspora Affairs,
FLAGSTAFF HOUSE,
Accra.
Hon. Maureen Hinda-Mbuende,
Director,
Pan AfriKan Center of Namibia – PACON,
No.14, Mandume Ndemufayo Street, Katutura,
Windhoek,
Namibia.
BACK TO AFRICA:
FROM HERITAGE TOURISM TO ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION
The transatlantic slave trade forcefully took away millions of Africans, stripping the continent of its human capital.
Yet, despite their displacement, Africans and their descendants played a crucial role in building the modern world—from constructing iconic structures like the White House to pioneering groundbreaking inventions that fueled civilization’s progress.
Today, many African descendants in the diaspora are eager to reconnect with their ancestral homeland. However, these visits often remain confined to cultural tourism, overlooking a far greater opportunity for lasting transformation.
While immersing oneself in history and culture is vital, these back-to-Africa journeys should ignite a spark for transformation. They should become powerful catalysts for economic, technological, and developmental contributions that can significantly uplift Africa and its people, offering a hopeful vision for the future.
The potential economic benefits of increased diaspora visits, including job creation, increased local spending, and knowledge transfer, are substantial and should not be overlooked.
Overcoming the Airfare Challenge:
One of the biggest hurdles preventing the African diaspora from making frequent trips home is the high cost and complexity of travel.
Flights from North America, South America, and the Caribbean to Africa can be pricey and often involve long, winding routes that discourage many travelers.
However, a promising opportunity has emerged: the potential for a direct flight from Accra to Suriname. This direct route could offer a faster and more affordable way to connect with the continent, igniting hope for increased back-to-Africa visits and making the journey more practical and feasible for the diaspora.
Imagine a world where a dedicated airline or established direct flight routes bridge Africa and the Caribbean, supported by a coalition of visionary investors! This could not only make travel more accessible but also deepen the bonds between Africa and its diaspora, fostering meaningful and memorable journeys back to our roots.
Beyond Tourism: Transforming Return Visits into Development Action –
Diaspora Africans must go beyond sightseeing and actively contribute to Africa’s economic and technological advancement (World Economic Forum, 2024).
Their visits should be geared toward meaningful investment, skills transfer, and strategic partnerships.
When diaspora Africans journey back to their roots, it’s more than just a trip; it’s an opportunity to ignite transformation in Africa.
Instead of merely sightseeing, these visits can become powerful catalysts for progress, driving local communities’ economic growth and technological advancement.
Here are some impactful ways diaspora members can contribute during their homeland visits-
Tech Innovations:
Introduce innovation in the latest digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and fintech breakthroughs to elevate local capabilities.
Empowering Skills: Launch training initiatives in business, STEM, and vocational fields, helping to nurture and uplift local talent.
Building Investments: Foster financial collaborations, ignite real estate projects, and start entrepreneurial ventures that boost the local economy. African governments should actively create a supportive environment to realize this vision.
By implementing policies that encourage skills exchange, investment opportunities, and knowledge sharing, we can harness the potential of those living abroad. However, this is not a one-sided effort.
African governments must take proactive measures to incentivize these contributions by implementing policies that facilitate investment, knowledge exchange, and skills transfer.
This vision aligns with Agenda 2063, which aspires to a self-sufficient, industrialized Africa driven by its people, including those in the diaspora.
It requires a collaborative approach, with both African governments and the diaspora community working together to turn visits into meaningful action and help shape a brighter future for the continent!
Embracing a New Era:
A Call for Action on Back-to-Africa Visits-
To transform back-to-Africa visits into a powerful force for progress, African nations can adopt dynamic policies that turn these journeys into meaningful opportunities for sustainable development.
Here’s how governments can make a real impact:
- Boost Connectivity: Enhance air travel links between Africa and the Caribbean by establishing direct flights and fostering investment partnerships that make travel easier and more accessible.
- Foster Innovation Hubs: Create vibrant special economic zones explicitly designed for diaspora-led businesses and startups, allowing innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit to flourish.
- Encourage Investment: Introduce incentives such as tax breaks, dual citizenship, and residency programs for returnees eager to invest in Africa’s future.
- Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Develop exchange programs that promote the sharing of skills and knowledge between African nations and their diaspora, building a bridge of expertise and collaboration.
By transforming back-to-Africa visits from simple tourism into strategic engagement, Africa can tap into the immense potential of its global family.
This vision reshapes the narrative, making the return home a nostalgic journey and an active commitment to building a brighter future for the continent.
The movement for African redemption has been driven not only by progressive Africans but also by African descendants who have tirelessly championed the continent’s liberation.
The Journey of Diaspora Africans in Ghana has left
A Vibrant Legacy- Indeed,
the spirit of redemption thrives not just among progressive Africans but also resonates deeply within the hearts of African descendants across the globe.
Icons like W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, George Padmore, and the visionary thoughts of Marcus Mosiah Garvey have woven a rich tapestry of influence that continues to shadow Ghana today.
Their legacies are immortalized in the very soil of Ghana, with the resting places of Du Bois and Padmore serving as poignant reminders of their enduring impact.
Although the eras in which these luminaries walked the streets of Ghana are long gone, their spiritual footprints remain alive and well, infusing the Ghanaian culture with a sense of purpose and connection.
In the present day, organisations such as the Ghana Caribbean Association and the Marcus Mosiah Garvey Foundation champion this vibrant legacy.
Together with the Ministry of the Future and the African American Association in Ghana, they forge a deeper link to the past through events like Panafest, which celebrate African heritage and unity.
Yet, beneath this rich narrative lies a series of compelling questions:
When were these cornerstone organisations founded?
What are the guiding aspirations that drive their missions?
What milestones have they achieved through the years?
What hurdles have they encountered along the way?
How are they contributing to the dream of an African Continental Union Government for the 6th Region?
What fuels and sustains their efforts as they work towards these goals?
Exploring these questions opens a fascinating dialogue about the ongoing journey of diaspora Africans in Ghana and the powerful legacy they continue to create.
Ghana stands on the brink of an exciting new chapter that emphasizes reclaiming our sovereignty and aligns our collective goals with a transformative agenda under the visionary leadership of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, head of the 12th Constitutional Administration.
It’s time for us to take a stand against the influence of cartels, cabals, and self-serving interest groups that hinder our progress.
Instead, let’s reignite the Pan-African vision Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah passionately envisioned for our continent.
The Padmore Library and the DuBois Centers, vital parts of our heritage, must be reconstructed while respecting their original architectural integrity.
These institutions have shaped our historical legacy and continue to influence Africa today.
In addition, the construction of a Marcus Mosiah Garvey Institutional Centre will not be just a project but also a powerful opportunity to ignite generational change among Africans and the diaspora.
This initiative will genuinely capture Garvey’s visionary spirit, one that champions skill training and youth empowerment ignited by the dedicated team at the Marcus Mosiah Garvey Foundation (MMGF) in Ghana.
The Marcus Mosiah Garvey Institutional Centre is set to be a catalyst for inspiring young talents and unlocking their potential and together, we can pave the way for a brighter, more promising future.
It’s time for us to spark meaningful conversations and act towards a bold vision:
Integrated Settlement:
Avoiding Segregation –
African descendants returning to the continent must seek genuine integration at the grassroots level to foster a true sense of belonging (Reportage, African- American land Dispute, 2025).
Segregated settlements, even if well-intentioned, can inadvertently sow the seeds of societal instability.
Historically, exclusionary policies have led to conflicts, as seen in the Liberian Civil War, which stemmed from colonial-era divisions.
Descendants of Africa should therefore, prioritize grassroots integration to cultivate a strong sense of belonging within their communities. When community settlements are formed without meaningful integration, it can pave the way for future instability.
Over time, discrimination can fester, potentially igniting conflicts that threaten social harmony.
A poignant example of this is the already mentioned Liberian Civil War, which stemmed from centuries of deep-rooted segregation, a legacy of the colonial “divide and rule” policies (Read: Background on Liberia and the Conflict).
To avoid repeating history, it’s crucial to promote unity and understanding among diverse groups, building bridges that foster solidarity and resilience.
Emphatically, sustainable resettlement models must therefore prioritize integration over segregation to ensure long-term social harmony.
HAITI: The Property of Africa-
It’s time for us to spark meaningful conversations and act towards a bold vision:
Transforming Haiti into an overseas territory of New Africa.
We should also extend an invitation to all other territories with Afro-descendant populations who wish to join this transformative journey.
Let’s embrace this opportunity to breathe life into the 6th Region of the African Union (AU) and create a united front that celebrates our shared heritage and future!
Now is the time to make the AU’s 6th Region a truly meaningful and functional entity.
References:
How tapping into the power of the global Black economy can boost Africa’s innovation and prosperity.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/03/global-black-economy-africa-innovation-prosperity/
The Land Disputes Facing African Americans in Ghana
Locals complain of losing out as wealthier ‘returnees’ from abroad secure prime real estate.
https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/the-land-disputes-facing-african-americans-in-ghana/
The Americo-Liberian/Indigenous Liberian Divide
to oppress the indigenous.
https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Res/chapter_4-background_on_liberia_and_the_conflict.pdf
Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg,
Chief Executive Officer,
AfriKan Continental Union Consult (ACUC)
Hon. Sheran Palacio,
Former Mayor, City of Belmopan, Belize
ACUC Representative: Caribbean, Central & Southern America. +5016154796
Belizeyouth4peace@gmail.com
