Summary:
A growing number of African Americans are relocating to Ghana, driven by a desire for peace, cultural belonging, and a sense of home. According to an article in the Richmond Free Press dated February 27, 2025, the West African country has become a popular destination for African American expatriates seeking refuge from racial injustice, political tension, and social isolation in the United States.
The article centers on the personal experiences of African American families and individuals who have moved to Ghana, many of whom describe the move as a return to ancestral roots. Ghana’s “Year of Return” campaign in 2019 marked a turning point in U.S.-to-Ghana migration. Launched to commemorate the 400-year anniversary of the date on which the first enslaved Africans arrived in North America, the campaign invited the African diaspora to visit or resettle in Ghana. Since then, thousands have responded.
According to Ghanaian immigration data, over 1,500 African Americans have obtained residency in the country since 2019, although the number is believed to be higher when accounting for those staying on extended visitor visas or under long-term investment and cultural programs.
Many newcomers settle in Accra, the capital, or in coastal towns such as Cape Coast and Elmina, which hold historical significance tied to the transatlantic slave trade. Interviewees report a sense of safety, community, and emotional healing after emigrating from the U.S. to Ghana.
Some interviewees referenced U.S. events — such as the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor — as factors in their decision to leave, as well as the desirability of raising their children in a majority-Black society; numerous economic opportunities in Ghana; and the opportunity to connect more meaningfully to African heritage.
Ghana offers a range of residency and citizenship options, and according to interviewees, it is a straightforward process to obtain a visa. Community organizations and online networks have also emerged to support new arrivals and meet renewed interest in immigration into the country, helping prospective immigrations with issues ranging from housing and legal paperwork to cultural integration.
All of this supportive infrastructure is evidently working: In November 2024, Ghana’s Ministry of the Interior reported it had conferred citizenship on 524 individuals — an increase of more than four times the number granted in 2019 and reflective of the growing success of Ghana’s efforts to reconnect with the African diaspora, which began with the 2019 “Year of Return” campaign and has since evolved into a decade-long initiative known as “Beyond the Return.”
Original Article Link: https://richmondfreepress.com/news/2025/feb/27/african-americans-turn-to-ghana-for-peace-and-belonging/
Source: Richmond Free Press
Date: February 27, 2025