The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman, announced that approximately 90 events have been registered for the upcoming “Year of Return” celebrations in December.
This initiative, launched by the Akufo-Addo government, aims to encourage members of the African diaspora to travel to Ghana, reconnect with their roots, and consider opportunities for settlement and investment on the continent.
Agyeman shared insights during his appearance on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday, November 4, 2024.
He highlighted that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture reported that the Year of Return initiative generated tourism receipts totaling $3.3 billion in 2019.
This year, the GTA is projecting a goal of 1.2 million visitors for the event.
“In 2019, we started with 36 events. Last year, we had around 180 events lined up, but this year we’ve seen a decline to about 90. Many event organizers are uncertain about hosting their events,” Agyeman explained.
He noted that corporate Ghana’s reduced spending on sponsorship has contributed to this uncertainty.
To address this, the GTA plans to engage with the private sector to demonstrate the potential success of the initiative.
Despite these challenges, Agyeman remains optimistic, stating, “We’ve seen strong interest from various groups, and I believe we will still have a successful year.”
He added that the numbers are encouraging, with nearly 900,000 visits recorded by the end of the third quarter, reinforcing confidence in reaching the target of 1.2 million visitors.
About the Year of Return
The Year of Return initiative was launched in September 2018 as a means to encourage the African diaspora to travel to Ghana, explore their heritage, and foster connections with the continent.
The initiative has attracted numerous global celebrities, including Steve Harvey, Nicole Ari Parker, Diggy Simmons, Michael Jai White, Ludacris, Cardi B, and Bozoma Saint John, who have all visited Ghana to engage with their roots and promote unity with Africans on the continent.
