#BeyondtheReturn#thereturnconversations#returnconversations#Ghana#creativearts

ACCRA, GHANA

‘Beyond the Return’ has announced that event proposals are being accepted for programs taking place from September through December 2020.  After last year’s successful ‘Year of Return’ campaign which included programs, events and festivals, there have been many requests for ‘Beyond the Return’ to have a platform to continue in these activities and provide new ways for the diaspora to continue to connect with Ghanaians through event programs.  

“I’m really looking forward to the events this year.  Especially the ones that will give back to Ghana through initiatives that seek to serve the local communities like the commissioning of boreholes we saw last year. It will be great to see more events that highlight Ghana’s culture as part of ‘Beyond the Return’ because it will expose diasporans to the diversity and richness of Ghana’s culture and heritage,” said Annabelle McKenzie, Manager of the Beyond the Return Secretariat. 

Event proposals are officially being accepted digitally and a separate form must be filled out for each event using the ‘Beyond the Return 2020 Events Submission Forms’ available at www.beyondthereturngh.com.  Hard copy submissions will not be accepted.  Event organisers should prepare to explain how their programs fit into the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative and its ability to include both the diaspora and local Ghanaian communities.

‘Beyond the Return’ is a 10-year initiative with the theme ‘A Decade of African Renaissance’ and its foundation is built on seven pillars: Experience Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Diaspora Pathway to Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Brand Ghana, Give Back to Ghana and Promote Pan African Heritage & Innovation. Each of the pillars is important because it represents an area that ‘Year of Return’ received feedback from the diaspora and the local Ghanaian community on ways to strengthen engagement between our communities.  It’s also the opportunity to create programs and events that represent each pillar. The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is coordinating the project under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Other collaborating organisations are the Office of Diaspora Affairs at the office of the President, the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) and the Ghana Tourism Development Company. 

To learn more about ‘Beyond the Return’ please visit the website  www.beyobdthereturngh.com. Please send questions and comments to support@beyondthereturngh.com and you can also follow on social media @beyondthereturn.

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The memorial ceremony was organized by the Diaspora African Forum and the Diaspora Coalition.  Boseman’s name was added to the historical Sankofa Wall, which has the names of several prominent people of African descent in the diaspora who have made significant contributions to society, black culture, and history. “Today we are gathered here to lift his name up on the land of his ancestors, he has been a blessing to African people all over the globe,” said Rabbi Kohain Halevi, leader of the Diaspora Coalition and Executive Director of PANAFEST Foundation.  He spoke of how Boseman’s image and characters he played help to lift the self esteem of black people. 

Since Boseman’s death, many of his friends, colleagues, and former Howard University mates, have spoken on his character and the type of man he was.  T. Morgan Dixon, CEO of Girl Trek, is a graduate of Howard University, Boseman’s alma mater.  They were both students at the university at the same time and she was one of the speakers during the memorial and imparted words to express what so many are feeling. “Chadwick Boseman was an extension, was the new Pan Africanist,” she said.  “He was not just an artist, he was not just an actor, but he was an activist and redefining what it meant to be Black, and more importantly what it meant to be African.”  

Others in attendance included Dr Ziblim Iddi Barri, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Claudia Turbay Quintero, Ambassador of Colombia to Ghana, Annabelle McKenzie, Manager of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, Ambassador Nancy Quartey-Sam, President of Women in Tourism Ghana,  Brenda Joyce, CEO of Allied Mining Ghana,  Jake Bediako, Diaspora Affairs, Youth Ambassador, Office of the President and H.E. Rev. Dr. Ocansey.

“Wakanda Forever,” is how Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri, Deputy Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, greeted everyone before he delivered words on behalf of Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, who was unable to attend the ceremony. “Mr. Boseman was a true embodiment of the African spirit,” he said. “The ‘Black Panther’ brought an exhilarating and empowering view of Africa.”  He said that the movie brought together pieces of the African story and highlighted Africa’s unique culture and portrayed the value of Africa’s rich natural resources. “Your departure to glory has brought a re-awakening of the collective African consciousness and togetherness.”

Youth around the world felt the loss of their superhero when Boseman’s death was announced.  As the Youth Ambassador in the Office of Diaspora Affairs, Jake Bediako was asked to speak on behalf of Black youth from around the world.  He said that Boseman provided a source of inspiration at a time when he was appointed into the role of Youth Ambassador when ‘Black Panther’ was being released in theatres.  It presented an opportunity to unite the youth of the diaspora with the youth of Africa. “In the short time that he lived, we’ve been inspired by his calmness and his majestic nature in which he approached every single movie he acted,” Bediako said. As the Youth Ambassador, he received many messages on social media on the impact Chadwick Boseman and ‘Black Panther’ had. What stood out to him was the acknowledgement of Boseman’s resilience, his faith, dedication to his purpose and commitment to uplifting the concept of black excellence. 

The ceremony closed with a procession to the Sankofa Wall where there was the unveiling of the plaque where the name Chadwick Aaaron Boseman was added among those of other greats.  Ambassador Erieka Bennett said that they were welcoming him back home by having his name there Mr.. “To put his name on our iconic, historic Sankofa Wall, means that he will be here with us forever,” Ambassador Bennett said. His name is among other greats including Rosa Parks, Marcus Garvey, Winnie Mandela and many more.  “He helped shine our culture through,” said Rev. Dr. Ocansey when speaking of the power of the ‘Black Panther film, “Each of us walked out of the movie theatre, being united and proud to be African or African American.”

By: Ivy Prosper

‘There were seven pillars unveiled by the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo.  Each of them represents a key component to what ‘Beyond the Return will work towards building over the next 10 years known as ‘A Decade of African Renaissance’.  The seven pillars unveiled are Experience Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Diaspora Pathway to Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Brand Ghana, Give Back Ghana and Promote Pan African Heritage & Innovation.  

The event’s theatrical interpretation of the pillars was majestic and perfectly aligned with Ghana’s history of storytelling and rooted in the core values of tradition in the country’s culture. 

Inspired by the legend of Okomfo Anokye, one by one, each pillar came down from the skies in structures that replicated the ‘Golden Stool’.  Performers danced and reached for the sky as each stool representing a pillar slowly descended. Amy Frimpong, Executive Director of the National Theatre explained that “The stool has a place in every household, every tribe has a stool that represents the culture of the people. We wanted to present the performance in the form of a story.”  Ghanaian traditions are filled with storytelling in villages that took place sitting under a tree.  This was replicated in the set design as a large tree became centre-stage and was the backdrop as each pillar descended. Adinkra symbols were also incorporated into the set details.   

The symbolic performance unveiling each pillar began with dancers walking in a circle and raising the Ghana flag to the skies while one dancer lifted a calabash. It was a symbolic call which brought down the first stool representing the pillar for ‘Pathway to Ghana’, perhaps the most important for our diaspora community as they seek to return home to the motherland.  As the pillar hung from the heavens in front of the tree, new dancers would come on stage continuing performing in ways that represented aspects of Ghana’s culture with dances from the various regions.  Music throughout the performances was by Ghana’s National Symphony Orchestra. “We had them play patriotic music that was from Ghanaian composers,” Ms. Frimpong said. “That was very important for us.”

She further explained why they used the stools saying that in Ghanaian culture, when someone comes to your house you always give them a place to sit.  The stools in each pillar symbolize a family offering you a seat, a place in their home.  The symbolism in this was extremely important because Beyond the Return is about building bridges and connecting with our diaspora community.  Essentially Ghana, is calling our brothers and sisters to come home and take a seat.  

Members of the diaspora community were happy to be among those attending the historic event which unveiled Ghana’s plans for the next decade.  They came dressed in African inspired dresses, smocks, headwraps and Kente.  Many participated in the Year of Return activities and were anticipating what was in store for the unveiling.  Ambassador Erieka Bennett, Head of Missions of Diaspora African Forum was there and said she was happy with the direction this new Beyond the Return project is headed.  

Beyond the Return is the follow-up to last year’s successful ‘Year of Return’ campaign that invited the global African diaspora to visit Ghana and experience our country’s history, heritage, and culture.  The year commemorated the 400-year anniversary of the first documented ship of enslaved Africans to arrive in Virginia, USA. 

Tens of thousands travelled to Ghana from the diaspora seeking to reconnect with their African roots, learn the history and experience the country where their ancestors may have come from.  Beyond the Return, seeks to build deeper ties with the diaspora community.  Through relationships and an emphasis on heritage, culture, and a pathway to citizenship.  During the pillars unveiling ceremony, the Minister of Tourism Arts & Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, said that the government was working on homeland legislation that would help support the process of citizenship sought after by so many in the diaspora.  

The official unveiling of the ‘Beyond the Return’ Pillars took place at the National Theatre on 9^th September 2020.  ‘Beyond the Return’ is a 10-year project with the theme, ‘A Decade of African Renaissance’ and its foundation is built on the seven core pillars which were unveiled during  the event which was filled with a colorful display of dance, music and theatrical performances from the National Theatre’s dance ensemble, dramatic actors and the National Symphony Orchestra.  Beyond the Return is the follow-up to last year’s successful ‘Year of Return’ campaign, which commemorated the 400-year anniversary of the first documented ship of enslaved Africans to arrive in Virginia, U.S.A.

CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, is also the Coordinator for the Beyond the Return Steering Committee. In his speech he acknowledged the loss of African American actor Chadwick Boseman, whose unexpected death last month shocked the world. He died after a 4-year battle with colon cancer. The actor played a pivotal role as the lead character in the movie, ‘Black Panther’.  The film contributed to changing the narrative of Africa and proving that Black Superheroes and stories of Africa can connect with all audiences.  “May I request that we all rise for a minute of silence? One for our ancestors who went through the torturous journey of slavery, two, for our brothers and sisters who have fallen in recent times, especially our brother Chadwick, of Black Panther fame,” said Mr. Agyeman. He also asked that we honour the late Elolo Gharbin, who died recently.  He was a Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and a strong pillar in PANAFEST and Emancipation. 

Mr. Agyeman chronicled the beginnings of the Year of Return and stated that this new journey of Beyond the return would have deeper conversations among the global African family. Beyond the Return, will work towards building bridges and creating activities, events and policies that are inclusive and integrate our local community in ways they can connect with our global African diaspora. Most importantly there is work being done to support the diaspora’s needs when it comes to repatriation. 

“Each of the 7 pillars being unveiled today touches on the many areas that are key to developing Ghana and providing an environment that supports the diaspora,” said Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture when she delivered her keynote address.  She expressed that the Beyond the Return committees are listening and working diligently to address the concerns expressed by the diaspora community, especially when it comes to repatriation.  “Ghana is currently developing a homeland return legislation to facilitate various forms of migration and integration into the country for our diasporan kith and kin,” she said. “Ghana as a leader in pan Africanism, through the Homeland Return Act, will offer the opportunity for citizenship to our brothers and sisters.”  This is welcome news to all the diasporans who have been asking how they can also become Ghanaian citizens. 

The Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, recognized the significance of the Year of Return, as he officially unveiled the pillars for Beyond the Return. “One cannot speak of Beyond the Return without mentioning the Year of Return in 2019, which was a major landmark campaign targeting the Historical African Community outside our continent,” the Senior Minister said. “Over the next decade, the project seeks to consolidate the gains of the Year of Return and grow tourism in the country, showcase its investment potentials and solidify its diaspora engagement programs to promote the African Renaissance.” The seven pillars unveiled during the event are, Experience Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Diaspora Pathway to Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Brand Ghana, Give Back Ghana and Promote Pan African Heritage & Innovation.  

The unveiling of the pillars was a historic event that has kickstarted a new chapter in Ghana’s journey of reconnecting with the global African family.

This important exercise is being done across the country with trees being planted in all of Ghana’s 16 regions. This is a way to give back to our environment and to also to build a better Ghana. It also serves as a symbolic gesture for future generations to see the trees we planted today. Manager of Beyond the Return, Annabelle McKenzie and Marketing Manager for Ghana Tourism Authority, Roberta Dawson-Amoah both participated in planting their own trees to help give back to and preserve Ghana’s environment.

CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, welcomed everyone to the site. He said that every year Ghana celebrates the resilience of the African and the end to chattel slavery through its celebrations of Emancipation Day. He said that this year because of the circumstances we are in, due to the pandemic we are unable to do what normally takes place, which is the re-enactment of captured Africans crossing of the river during the time of slavery. “Beyond that story of what happened here during the slave trade, there are also two significant incidents,” Mr. Agyeman said. “The Yaa Asantewaa War against British colonialism and the Anglo – Asante War. Today we are going to plant trees as our way of celebrating emancipation so that future generations will come and see these trees planted as a symbol of what happened in 2020 when we couldn’t celebrate the way we normally do.”

Over 100 trees were planted in Assin Praso along the path that leads to the historical site where the captured enslaved Africans were buried in mass graves. The contestants from Ghana’s Most Beautiful pageant listened attentively as they learned the history of the grounds that they were planting trees on. Like some Ghanaians, they were learning this history for the first time.

Divisional Chief of Assin Jakai-Assin Praso, Nana Owodo Aseku X, spoke to everyone and recounted the history of Assin Praso along with the significance of the site which is now a popular tourist attraction. He was also joined by other elders in the community including Nana Baffour Adjei X, and Nana Yaw Owusu Aduemi, as they shared stories of history in their community.

Assin Praso was one of the busiest tourist sites last year during the Year of Return. Many people from the diaspora came to see the grounds where Africans were buried in mass graves and the river that was crossed during that time.

The night before Emancipation Day is known as Reverential Night and it is the night to pay homage the ancestors and light candles in their honour. In past years, a walk through the streets of Cape Coast, while wearing white, and singing songs of freedom occurs. Last year during the Year of Return over a thousand people gathered, but this year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the crowds were limited in number and the walk was shorted significantly.
Executive Director of PANAFEST Foundation, Rabbi Kohain started the candlelight vigil speaking to the small group gathered to remind us the significance of the night and that we were sharing each other’s light. The Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, Chairman of Diaspora Affairs, Akwasi Ababio, CEO of Ghana Tourist Development Company, Kojo Antwi, and Manager of Year of Return, Annabelle McKenzie were among the people leading the walk. The group was met by Paramount Chief of Cape Coast, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II and elders in the community who spoke briefly on the significance of calling on the ancestors to be with us in spirit as we celebrated the evening before Emancipation Day.

Limited numbers of people walked into the dungeons where a vigil held in honour of the ancestors. Prayers were said, a moment of silence was observed, and libations were poured to remember those who suffered. Seven candles were lit, and wreaths laid in memoriam, after which, everyone was led to the grounds where a celebration took place through theatre and dance that captured the theme of this year’s event. The National Theatre of Ghana’s actors did a moving performance that expressed the emotions surrounding the killings of innocent blacks in America as they called out the names of those who have lost their lives.

The Assin Manso community hosted the Emancipation Day events on August 1st on the historic grounds of the Slave Market and Memorial Park. A mini durbar of chiefs and the elders of the community took place while adhering to social distancing protocols. In memory of those who died during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, wreaths were laid in the Reverential Garden in front of the tombs of three enslaved Africans whose remains were repatriated to be buried on African soil; Samuel Carson from the United States, Crystal from Jamaica and the unknown enslaved African from Barbados.

CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, said it was important for us to celebrate the resilience of the Africans who lost their lives during the slave trade. Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi said, Emancipation Day reminds us that the African family was separated causing our people to suffer from the dramatic separation. She expressed the importance of our people coming together, “We must all reunite as one family and strive to build a more humane society…to achieve this we need our brothers and sisters of the diaspora to forge that closed bond between Africans and Africans in the diaspora to make Africa rise and shine.”

The day’s events ended at the site of the Ancestral Slave River known as the place where captured Africans were given their last bath before being taken into the dungeons where they were transported to the Americas into slavery. It was a moment of healing, reflection and prayers. The Chiefs and elders of the community observed a sacred moment as they gathered to pour libations and pray for the ancestors. Rabbi Kohain spoke to close out the day urging everyone to come together as one people and to free our minds from the shackles of what slavery and colonialism did. He urged everyone to tear down what separates us. “Let us be one people, let us be one African people no matter where we are and let us return the love, the virtue and respect to each other.”

This year, a Virtual Panel Discussion was held on 28th July via the Zoom Webinar platform. Moderated by Aisha Addo, founder of the Power to Girls Foundation, the panel’s theme was Leveraging Our Resilience; Black Lives Matter. The panelists included African American Actor and Activist, Lou Gosset Jr., Pan Africanist, Professor Kojo Yankah, Leader of Diaspora Coalition of Ghana, Rabbi Kohain Halevi, and Author, Lala London.

The conversation’ theme was in response to the ongoing racial protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minnesota Police Officer in May. Since then, the Black Lives Matter movement has become a global phenomenon working to topple racist institutions in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Europe. Black people are standing up and speaking out against the institutionalized racism that exists in law enforcement and other systems.

The notion of Africa as home, is becoming a renewed conversation and the pan African movement has been re-awakened. Professor Kojo Yankah, was the former Chairman of the PANAFEST Foundation for over a decade and has been a part of the pan African movement for most of his career. He said that black lives have mattered from early history when the royal African civilization was destroyed by the Greeks. He said that everything about the black person, the African, was destroyed and it continued through the period of slavery. “The culture of the African was further destroyed, not only by getting the Europeans to put their needs on the head of Africans, but they destroyed the humanity of the African….they were successful in getting the African to feel inferior,” he said.

Lou Gosset Jr. is an award-winning African American Actor and Activist. He is he great-grandson of a slave and took a DNA test that revealed he is of Liberian and Sierra Leonean descent. His role in the 1977 miniseries ‘Roots’ catapulted him to stardom. On the panel discussion he shared his sentiments on the first time he traveled to the continent of Africa. “What I heard about Africa, is nothing in comparison to what I saw,” he said. “I could not wait to go back home and be proud to talk about what I found out.” The way Africa is often portrayed, many first-time visitors are surprised by what they see. He suggested therefore it is important for people in the diaspora to make their own journey and see Africa for themselves to break and dispel the myths.

As someone working in the creative industry of film, he also spoke about the roles he has played and how it is part of the narrative. Yankah added that our history did not start with slavery and it is important for our filmmakers and writers to get to work creating our stories, so we are not so narrow-minded.

Author, Lala London, came to Ghana on a visit from St. Vincent and the Grenadines before the pandemic. Like many travelers, she is in the country until borders open. During the discussion, she said, “My own grandfather was the son of a slave….so these issues are really dear to me.” She spoke of how the Black Lives Matter movement affects her directly, having a son who is an African American. “We see what happens every day in a country that is supposed to be the bastion of democracy…where black lives somehow just don’t matter,” she added.

Moderator Aisha Addo asked the panel what actionable steps can we use to drive the concept of unity and moving forward across the diaspora and in Africa? Rabbi Kohain Halevi answered her saying, “I think we need to set a new paradigm for what a model society should be today….we have to surpass the model in current existence…include respect for human rights.” He continued by explaining that slavery was a mental construct that set a mental state in our people and we need to work towards dismantling that before we can think of reconstructing it.

Mr. Gosset said that we need to work on our communication. Being an elder, he said he sees the importance in that now. Unity is perhaps the most important part of progress in the black community both in Africa and the diaspora. Sometimes we see a division between the African Americans and the continental Africans, and we need to bridge the gap. He added that, “We cannot make it unless we add our Africans to the fight.”

Ms. Addo asked for one power statement from the panelists before wrapping up the Virtual Discussion and Professor Yankah give a meaningful response. “Since we are also commemorating Emancipation, I would like to hammer the point made that we need to get all our creative people to now focus on what we have lost,” Professor Yankah said, “…we need themes that unite and revive the consciousness of our people…in terms of being proud of who we are and raising the consciousness of blackness.”

Rabbi Kohian said that during the season of Emancipation we should remember to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery. “If we are not for ourselves, who will be for us?”

By: Ivy Prosper

The visit will be part of the government’s 2020 ‘Beyond The Return’ initiative to further attract Diasporans not to only visit but also invest in the country.

In a short video available to NEWS-ONE on Thursday, the actor who is otherwise known as Daywalker for his role in the award-winning film ‘Blade’, announced his visit saying, “I am on my way to Accra.”

“You know that my teacher Dr John Hendrik Clarke, the great grandmaster sat many a day under many conditions the great grandmaster Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana and they told me as a grandson of them… always keep Mother Africa in the heart, a united Africa. So to honouring my elders, I am on my way to Accra. The Daywalker is coming to Accra…,” he said.

He was captured in the video together with Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Wesley was among a number of personalities who met with President Akufo-Addo in Davos, Switzerland, where the President is participating in the 50th-anniversary celebration of the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings.

A photo Gabby shared on Facebook Thursday captured the President with American billionaire businessman Robert Smith, Wesley Snipes, Ozwald Boateng, Kojo Annan and a host of other influential figures in Davos.

According to Gabby, they shared “ideas on how to leverage part of the multi-trillion dollar wealth of the African Diaspora to move Ghana (and Africa).”

Wesley Snipes was also among key listeners at a Ghana dinner held in Davos as Ken Ofori-Atta spoke on why invest in Ghana.

He would be joining the likes of Naomi Campbell, Michael Jai White, Tina Knowles Lawson, Samuel L Jackson, Steve Harvey and a host of others who visited Ghana as part of the ‘Year of Return’ 2019 programme which has now been upgraded to ‘Beyond The Return’ 2020.

Source: Dailynetwork.com