Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the foundation laid, Africans born in the Diaspora found Ghana a logical point of entrance.  After several visits by Malcolm X and the warm reception of George Padmore & W.E. Dubois, Ghana was regarded with the affection one holds for a long lost mother, from whom you were separated from at birth.  To seal it, the then President of Ghana, Mr. Jerry Rawlings, made a visit to America and proclaimed that Africans born in the Diaspora were entitled to the Right of Abode in Ghana and Dual Citizenship.  This speech was regarded as the long awaited invitation so many misplaced Africans sought.  Africa was, once again, stretching forth Her hands.

    As early as the eighties, when pioneer repatriates set foot in Ghana (following the examples aforementioned), we were treated with great respect and apparent affection.  Mr. Rawlings, himself, allocated residence and land for one of the first Ras returnees  (Big Dread) who arrived from Jamaica, a leader in this new breed of Repatriates.  Propelled by a higher consciousness, more and more Africans, born in the Diaspora, looked to the East, seeking refuge from economic slavery, institutionalized emasculation and the divisive measures applied to insure the demise of our families.   The sheer desperation of our living conditions in the land of our oppressors led to our diligent search for a place of asylum.  This yielded an explosion in fact-finding, tourism.  Those with the means and the resolve, were boarding Ghana Airways in record numbers, to find out more about Ghana.  Many simply packed up their paltry belongings and migrated ‘home’.  This encouraged the government of Ghana to pay greater attention to the much neglected industry of Tourism. 

The present government came to meet a thriving industry that, though substantial in terms of its generating capacity, it still lacked its full earning potential.  Greater efforts went into training small business owners of restaurants and hotels, on how make the most of this burgeoning trade.  Closer analysis revealed that over 75% of the tourists constituted of Africans born in the Diaspora, mainly from the U.S., the Caribbean and the U.K.   The illustrious Ministry of Tourism and Disporian Affairs was later assigned to explore and capitalize on that market for the greater benefit of the country.  A collaboration between that Ministry and a small group of  repatriates living in Ghana ensued shortly thereafter and gave birth to the  Joseph Project, the latest call to Africans seeking refuge from the sinking ship.

For many, Ghana serves as a wonderful sanctuary where they might temporarily escape the throes of their existing realities in the West, however, for those of us who have heeded the full extent of the invitation implied by Mr. Rawling’s speech and the present Joseph Project, we have we have come to terms with a different reality once our visas expired.  The extent of our welcome generally ends after the 3 months allowed for our visit.  From that time on, an African born in the Diaspora must validate his or her stay.  There are several categories that one might fall under, whether it be student, employee or investor; American, European or Diplomat, but there are no provisions for Repatriates.  As mentioned, the Ministry of Tourism has incorporated Diasporian Affairs into its title, but this is not to say that that office hears our concerns nor renders remedy to our grievances.  There is no existing extension of the government that caters to the needs of Repatriates, nor are there any provisions made to assist us in our transition.  Instead, we must apply to one of the aforesaid categories and make the best of what we have.  As with any group of migrants, there are a few who have the strength and wherewithal to land on their feet and hit the ground running, but the bulk of us come with our families, babies, and elders in tow, needing a little more assistance in the transition.   No consideration is made for the way we were expelled from our land, depleted by our oppressors and are now starting over, with our meager life savings, facing with all kinds of uncertainties. Instead, we are thrust into the sea, refugees, expected to swim with the sharks.

 For this reason many have repatriated only to have their dreams shattered.  Greater than 75% of those who have embarked upon their voyage home, to Africa, via Ghana, have left, more spent than they arrived and totally disenchanted by their experience.  Of those that have endured the harsh realities, we have bore down and sought deep within ourselves for the drive to survive.  Half of us have persevered, thanks to our youthfulness, determination and support from outside, while the other half have suffered destitute conditions, with no means of strength in a country already overwhelmed by its own problems. 

The fact is, you are welcome.  Akwaaba! Ghana sincerely extends her hands to curious Africans born in the Diaspora, willing and able to tour Ghana, just don’t expect any more than that.  Repatriates must realize that they are returning to an ‘independent’ country, heavily influenced by modern day neo-colonialist. This is not the Ghana of Nkrumah. Your thinking must be modified prior to your arrival, to ensure your successful repatriation.  Each individual should design a plan that will sustain you and your dependents for 3-5 years.  This notion of coming home to retire in paradise must be replaced with a ‘lace-up-your-boots’ mentality.  As Repatriates, we have our work cut out for us.  Not only do we have to learn how to survive in an entirely different matrix, but we must erect the necessary institutions that will ensure our children and succeeding Repatriates aren’t subjected to existing harsh conditions.  Schools, ‘alternative’ healing centers and safe dwellings for our elderly are our primary concerns.  It rest upon our shoulders to provide these institutions for ourselves, reflective of the standards we have learned while exposed to vast information and examples in the West.  This work of Nation-building will only be realized by the cooperative efforts of Africans throughout the globe.  Our collective economic strength is sufficient to address the needs of existing Repatriates and prepare for the ever increasing flocks of Africans relocating to the continent.  For those planning to repatriate, please find a sponsor from among your friends and family, that can individually or collectively put together a stipend to assist in your initial years.  For those who recognize the necessity of repatriation, but are not immediately prepared to do so, please sponsor a Repatriate.

Many will read this and resign themselves to the lesser fate of their oppressors, rather than take this road laden with challenges unspeakable.  That is an unfortunate consequence, but one I am prepared to risk in an effort to better prepare those steadfast and unwavering Repatriates with the information necessary to ready your mind, body and soul for this reality.  For those determined to claim their birthright, I trust you will deposit this information in the banks of your mind, where it will be invested wisely, yielding a more resilient, more indomitable force, as is necessary for us, as Repatriates, to become, less we become extinct.  In the words of Fidel Castro, “Patra o Muerte, Venceremos” (Motherland or Death, We Shall Win.)

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