On Tuesday, November 19, a landmark ceremony at the Accra International Conference Centre saw 524 African diasporans officially granted Ghanaian citizenship. Among them was Debert Cook, publisher of the African American Golfer’s Digest. The new citizens, hailing from various countries from across the globe, took the oath of allegiance administered by a Court of Appeal Justice, marking their formal integration into Ghanaian society.
This event is the third such ceremony under Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration and follows the 2019 “Year of Return” initiative, which commemorated 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were taken to the Americas. The initiative reflects Ghana’s commitment to reconnecting with the African diaspora and fostering a sense of shared heritage.
“I am elated to be among those being naturalized today,” said Ms. Cook, an African American who first visited Ghana as a tourist back in 1991 and now organizes group golfing trips to Ghana and other countries. “I am in love with the Ghanaian culture and its people. Today I am overly-excited, because, I feel as though I am walking back through the “Door of Return.” The exact number of Africans who passed through the “Door of No Return” is unknown, but historians estimate that millions of enslaved people went through such points on the African coast, with some claiming that as many as 15 million may have passed through the specific “Door of No Return” at the House of Slaves in Gorée Island, Senegal. There were around 40 “slave castles” built by European traders on the Gold Coast of West Africa, which is now Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo described the event as a significant step in strengthening ties with the diaspora. He encouraged the new citizens to see their citizenship not merely as a legal status but as a commitment to uphold Ghanaian values of respect, equity, and peace. “Your ancestors left these shores in tragic and inhumane circumstances. Today, we embrace you as part of the Ghanaian family,” he said.
The President also emphasized the vital role diasporans can play in Ghana’s development, bringing diverse expertise to sectors like education, healthcare, technology, and the arts. He lauded their efforts in reshaping global narratives about Africa, calling them “human bridges connecting us across the Atlantic.”
Minister of the Interior Henry Quartey highlighted the initiative’s alignment with Ghana’s Pan-African ideals and the legacy of leaders like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He also tied it to Ghana’s Diaspora Engagement Policy, which fosters collaboration between Ghanaians and their global kin.
Rabbi Helevi Kohien, Executive Secretary of the African Diaspora Community, expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the new citizens, commending President Akufo-Addo for his dedication to the initiative. The military band struck up resounding music as the new Ghanaian citizens rejoiced, laughed, and cried, while waving Ghana’s red, yellow and green striped black star flags. The program was covered with a swath of media.
