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Ghana welcomes Diasporans to mark 400 years of African Resilience

By Grace Princess Tarwo, GNA    

Accra, Aug. 21, GNA – The chiefs and people
of Jamestown in Accra on Wednesday received Diasporans who took part in the
historical and reconciliatory journey from Jamestown to Jamestown, marking 400
years since their forefathers were taking from the shores of Africa.

The symbolic event was to commemorate the
struggle of African slaves shipped from Jamestown Accra-Ghana in 1619 to
Jamestown Virginia in America.

Gracing the occasion was President Nana Addo
Dankwa Akufo-Addo and some Ministers of state, who welcomed the returnees at
Jamestown Mantse Agbonaa.

Mrs Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Minister of
Tourism, Arts and culture, said Ghana’s Pan-Africanism had not been in doubt,
as the legacy of earlier leaders remained a worthy cause for Ghana to sustain.

She said the Ministry was glad as it drew
close to a successful celebrations marking the ‘Year of Return’ since its
inception in January 2019.

The ‘Year of Return had endorsed 78 events
for the year-long celebrations.

The Minister said despite being away, some
of the people in the diaspora contributed so much to Africa’s growth, adding
that, Ghana had received lot of personalities like;  Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US  House of Representatives, Samuel L Jackson,
Micheal J White, AJ Johnson, Kofi Kingston, Debora Cox, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and
Danny Glover, among others.

She said the visit should begin a long
lasting partnership between the indigenes and those in the diaspora for the benefit
of all.

Mrs Oteng-Gyasi acknowledged the Ghana
Tourism Authority (GTA) for spearheading all the events for the Year-long
celebration so far.

She also thanked the Panafest Foundation,
Office of Diaspora Affairs at the Presidency and the Adinkra group for playing
key roles in ensuring that the 400 years celebrations went well, and pledged
the support of the Ministry towards their initiatives for a successful
development of Africa.

Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, the Mayor of Accra,
urged the returnees to participate in the remaining activities.

Mr Kwasi Agyemang, Chief Executive Officer
of GTA, said Jamestown was the centre of tourism in Ghana, as it had the
Lighthouse and the Jamestown Fort, thorough which the first slave ship took off
to Jamestown Virginia.

He urged the returnees to explore, interact,
partner and establish businesses and institutions that would yield benefits for
everyone.

Mr Diallo Sumboy, the Chief Executive
Officer of Adinkra group and Organizer of the team, acknowledged President
Akufo-Addo for the initiative and the warm reception, adding that, they would
not relent in partnering and initiating developmental projects in Ghana and
Africa as a whole.

The returnees went through some rituals of
the Ga state, such as wearing of the traditional leaves and were also
entertained with traditional drumming and singing.

GNA

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