Ghana's Economy
The Year of Return and Diaspora Tourism
How Ghana's 2019 Year of Return invited the African diaspora to visit 400 years after the first enslaved Africans reached America, boosting tourism and investment.
In 2019, Ghana launched the Year of Return.
The idea
It marked 400 years since enslaved Africans were first recorded arriving in English North America in 1619.
Heritage sites
Cape Coast and Elmina castles held enslaved people before the Atlantic crossing.
Visitors
Many African Americans and others in the diaspora visited, some celebrities among them.
Economic effects
Tourism arrivals and spending rose in 2019.
Beyond the Return
A follow-up programme encouraged investment and settlement.
Citizenship
Ghana granted citizenship to some diaspora members.
An American family visits Cape Coast Castle, then stays for a festival in Accra.
Heritage and identity attract visitors.
- The Year of Return was 2019.
- It marked 400 years since 1619.
- Cape Coast and Elmina are key sites.
- It boosted tourism and investment.
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