Episode description

Over the past five years Ghana has seen a wave of Africans from the diaspora returning to their ancestral land. That’s because of initiatives like ‘The Year of Return’ which the government launched in 2019.

Former president Nana Akufo Addo said “we believe we have a responsibility to extend a hand of welcome” and that ‘The Year of Return’ had been a “great success”.

But this movement isn’t without controversy. While diasporans celebrate newfound opportunities and belonging, many local communities feel excluded from the economic benefits.

BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to Ghanaian Culture Journalist Emmanuel Olele as well as Annabelle McKenzie, the Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, an initiative of the Ghana Tourism Authority.