Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange have jointly endorsed the “Year of Return, Ghana 2019”.
The Year of Return is an initiative of the government of Ghana which is intended to encourage people of African descent to visit Ghana.
Both Ministers commended the President and people of Ghana for taking this initiative to cement Ghana’s Pan African Legacy dating from the relationship amongst leaders of the Caribbean and Ghana.
Honourable Grange said Jamaica looks forward to a successful year of return. “We will work with Ghana towards a successful year. Jamaica observes the international Decade of People of African Descent and so it is very timely that we work together.”
She added that “as Jamaicans, we’re proud to see that our Reggae music will form the soundtrack for the Year of Return.”
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Ghana, Hon. Catherine Afeku led the delegation made up of Members of Parliament (MPs) and representatives of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). The delegation included Hon. Alex Agyekum, Hon. Kobla Wayome, Hon. A.B. A Fuseini, Hon Kofi Amoakohene and Mr. Akwasi Agyeman of GTA.
Hon. Afeku said Ghana is ready to welcome the global African family home. “The ease of Visa acquisition, upgrades of Tourism and hospitality facilities, capacity building are all being tackled through an inter-ministerial committee with anticipated positive results.”
Come March 2019, the Jamaica-Ghana Homecoming Festival (Jagha) will feature as part of the activities to commemorate the year of return and celebrate African survival.