Ghana has welcomed hundreds of African Americans into its fold, granting citizenship to individuals reconnecting with their ancestral heritage. Among the new citizens are Keachia Bowers and Damon Smith, former Florida residents who relocated to Ghana in 2023 in search of belonging.
In a ceremony held in November, Bowers, Smith, and 522 others officially became Ghanaian citizens. For Bowers, the citizenship represents more than just a legal status—it honors the unfulfilled dreams of her ancestors. “My ancestors wanted to return home, but they never made it. This passport is for them,” she said.
The initiative is part of Ghana’s Beyond the Return program, launched in 2019 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the transatlantic slave trade. Ghana, once a major departure point for enslaved Africans, now seeks to reconnect with the global Black diaspora through this initiative.
While the program aims to attract investment from the diaspora, many participants view it as a deeply personal journey to reconnect with their roots. Dejiha Gordon, another American who moved to Ghana in 2019, shared her sentiments. “As an African-American, having a tangible connection to Africa feels like a significant accomplishment,” she said. Gordon has since started a Jamaican food truck in Ghana.
The program underscores Ghana’s commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for those in the diaspora while creating opportunities for economic collaboration.