Ghana is a country rich in history and culture. It offers African Americans a chance to reconnect with their roots. Ghana’s dynamic cities, beautiful scenery, and kind people make it an ideal destination for tourism, business, or permanent relocation.
Ghana announced the “Year of Return” campaign in 2019 to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the United States. The project aimed to urge the global African diaspora to return home, rediscover their heritage, and contribute to Africa’s future. The effort has grown into “Beyond the Return,” which promotes cultural, social, and economic connections between Ghana and the African diaspora.
Below are the Top 10 Attractions for the African diaspora to discover In Ghana;
1. Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle
These castles are located in the Central Region of Ghana. They contain tight dungeons where enslaved Africans were held captive in horrific conditions before being carried across the Atlantic. For centuries, thousands of enslaved Africans were taken to the castles to be sold into slavery and sent to the Americas. A visit to the castles is bound to be a highly emotional and eye-opening experience.
Famous figures who have visited the castles on their trips to Ghana include Steve Harvey, Barack, Michael Jai White, Boris Kodjoe, Idris Elba, Danny Glover, President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris, Douglas Emhof and other Top American government officials.
Explore the opportunity to ponder past atrocities and the perseverance of individuals who endured during this dark period in human history.
2. W.E.B. Du Bois Center
The center was established in 1985 to honor Dr. William Edward Burghardt DuBois’s legacy and contributions to the Pan-African movement and civil rights. Du Bois was a leading intellectual of his time, well remembered for his book “The Souls of Black Folk,” which has remained influential.
Later in life, Du Bois became more active in Pan-Africanism, a movement that promotes global African solidarity and aspires to unite and elevate individuals of African heritage.
The center serves as both a memorial and a research institute, containing Du Bois’ personal library, papers, and relics. It represents his devotion to African unity, intellectual freedom, and social justice, inspiring younger generations to continue fostering equality and understanding throughout the African diaspora.
The Center promotes Pan-Africanist ideas through practical applications in social, political, economic, and cultural realities. Ambassador Palmer laid a wreath at the W.E.B Du Bois center in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of his death on August 27, 2023.
Discover Dr. Du Bois’ programs, collection of works, and global influence.
Image Credit: thediasporand.com
3. The Nkyinkyim Museum
Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, the museum’s founder and Ancestor Project creator, is a Ghanaian multidisciplinary artist. In 2009, Kwame Akoto-Bamfo began using sculpture to archive oral history and traditions. The Museum is well-known for hiring griots to interpret the sculptures’ history, symbolism, traditional African religion, and philosophy.
The Nkyinkyim Museum mixes African art, history and performances like drumming, dancing, traditional ceremonies and food.
Experience healing and restoration from the legacies of African enslavement and colonialism.
Image Credit: GhanaWeb
4. Assin Manso Slave River
The Assin Manso Slave River is a significant site in Ghana’s Central Region for millions of Africans enslaved. Enslaved Africans were marched hundreds of kilometers across West Africa to Assin Manso where they were reunited before embarking on their final voyage to the shore. They were coerced, humiliated, and stripped of their identity and dignity. Traders utilized the water to clean and check captives before selling them at auction. This ritual commemorated the captives’ final link with their homeland, as they were marched to castles and put into ships heading for the Americas.
Discover the last bath site, remains of two former enslaved individuals and educational displays that provide historical information about the transatlantic slave trade.
Image Credit: lookphotos
5. Jamestown
This is the oldest district in Accra and the ancestral home of the Ga people. A highly dense and populated area that is a well-known fishing community. Jamestown offers a unique glimpse into Ghana’s colonial history, featuring historic buildings, lighthouses, and forts, allowing diasporas to connect with the historical backdrop that shaped contemporary Ghana. Notable attractions include the boxing gym, which has produced legends such as Azumah Nelson, and the yearly Homowo festival, which celebrates the end of a historic famine with colorful parades and ceremonies.
It also hosts the annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival, a lively festival attracting artists and visitors from around the world, showcasing Ghanaian street art and providing a unique cultural exchange.
Explore the opportunity to engage with local life and form personal bonds.
6. AfroFuture Festival
AfroFuture celebrates African culture through music, art, fashion and cuisine. It offers diasporas with an intensive experience in contemporary African culture, allowing them to reconnect with their roots and appreciate their richness. The festival draws guests from all around the world, including many from the African diaspora.
This festival promotes a robust sense of community and belonging by allowing people to connect with others from their origins while also exploring their identities in a safe and dynamic environment. AfroFuture is a festival that unites artists, entrepreneurs, and influencers worldwide, fostering networking, idea sharing, creativity, entrepreneurship and promoting African culture. The celebration, rooted in Pan-Africanism, celebrates the global achievements of African people and addresses pressing issues affecting the continent and the African diaspora.
Explore the opportunity to see live performances, showcase African Fashion, Art, dance, and experience the energy of contemporary African music.
7. Manhyia Palace Museum
The museum is a cultural jewel situated within the ancient Manhyia Palace, the official palace of the Ashanti King in Kumasi. It offers a rare opportunity to delve deeply into the history of one of West Africa’s most powerful and significant pre-colonial empires. The opportunity to tour the palace itself, with its traditional Ashanti architecture and elegantly adorned rooms, is a highlight of the visit. The Ashanti Kingdom, known for its resistance against British colonial rule, is portrayed through the museum showcasing the bravery and endurance of its people, inspiring diasporas to learn from their stories.
Discover a huge collection of royal regalia, relics, and historic images depicting the grandeur and customs of the Ashanti Kingdom.
8. The National Museum
The National Museum of Ghana, located in Accra is the largest and oldest of six museums managed by the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board. It houses over 10,000 artifacts, including archaeological, ethnographic, and fine art, and features a library, conservation laboratory, and education hall. The National Museum showcases prehistoric Africa, Ghanaian culture, and African history, avoiding controversial Ghanaian past links. Most artifacts are Akan, found in commercial mining areas. In the 1990s, transatlantic slave trade history was introduced.
Discover an array of Ghanaian crafts and appreciate the intricate design techniques that have been passed down through generations. Explore the opportunity to learn about your roots, heritage, and reflect on the journeys of one’s ancestors.
Image Credit: Maurri Kone
9. Mole National Park
The largest wildlife refuge in Ghana is located in Ghana’s Savannah Region. The settlement of Larabanga, which is close by, is the entry point to the park. It encompasses an area of roughly 4,577 square kilometers of largely intact Guinea savannah. It’s an excellent location for safari excursions, featuring elephants, antelopes, and other animals.
Image Credit: thebftonline.com
10. Beaches
Ghana has a variety of beautiful beaches that range from bustling party scenes to idyllic sanctuaries. The five most popular beaches in Ghana are Labadi beach, Kokrobite beach, Bojo beach, Cape Three Points and Ada Foah Beach.