“Coming From America”: Ghana’s Legacy of Welcoming the Diaspora Continues

A new reality-TV docuseries, “Coming From America” premieres on September 5th, 2024, on the streaming platform Max. Viewers are invited to witness African Americans who made the decision to move to Ghana and explore what it truly means to come home to Africa. For those seeking peace, connection, and a deeper sense of belonging, Ghana continues to stand as a welcoming home for the diaspora, embodying the pan-African ideals that have shaped its history.

“Coming From America” is more than just a reality show—it’s a powerful chronicle of resilience, cultural discovery, and the pursuit of a dream to reconnect with Africa. The series follows four families, including the Davis, Smiley, Kelly, and Jones families, as they navigate the complexities of building new lives in Ghana.

Ghana has long been known as the ‘Gateway to Africa’ and has historically been a place for the African diaspora, offering a place of refuge, reconnection, and renewal. As a country that has always embraced its pan-African identity, Ghana’s commitment to welcoming people of African descent from across the globe reached new heights with the “Year of Return” in 2019. This monumental initiative marked 400 years since the first documented enslaved Africans were taken to the United States, and it sparked a global movement, inspiring thousands of African Americans and other members of the diaspora to explore the possibility of returning to the continent.

Among those who answered this call are Tony and Ayo Jones, an African American couple from Houston, Texas. Their journey to Ghana is captured in the new Max Original docuseries. Interestingly, Ayo is half African American and half Ghanaian. Her experience has a connection to both Ghana and America. The series offers a candid look at the challenges and triumphs they and others faced as they made Ghana their new home, showcasing the raw, authentic experiences of adjusting to a new culture, system, and way of life.

For people of African descent, moving to Ghana often represents a path to peace of mind—a chance to escape the stresses and racial tensions of the West and embrace a culture that feels like home. However, the transition comes with its own set of challenges. “Coming From America” portrays these challenges with honesty, capturing the reality of adapting to new systems, customs, and ways of life. The family’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that while returning to one’s roots can be deeply fulfilling, it demands resilience and an open heart.

“Coming From America” premieres this Thursday September 5th, 2024, on Max.

Watch the show trailer here: https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/coming-from-america-families-hit-with-culture-shock-as-they-relocate-to-africa?amp