Twenty-two African Americans who have traced their ancestral roots to Ghana have officially embraced their Ghanaian identity, and pledged to help contribute to the development of country in areas of solar systems installation and training, recycling and waste management, entrepreneurship and job creation, and enhance sister city exchange programs to honour their ancestors.
The group met with the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, at her office in Koforidua, and affirmed their commitment to invest their expertise, skills and knowledge in their motherland.
Amber Blackwell from California in an interview with the media said, “I am very passionate about sanitation and recycling and I am looking forward to being able to bring my expertise here to the city to talk about how we can train the youth in recycling and to what we call up-cycle, which is to take things that may be wasted or considered waste and re-convert them into products for everyday use that can benefit Ghanaian citizens”.
Dr. Ambrose Frederick Carroll, Sr, Senior Pastor at Renewal Worship Center Oakland, California, one of the first foundationally friendly “Green Churches” in USA expressed his desire to help the region’s energy transition with installation of solar pannels and Solar powered electric vehicle charging points.
“We’re training how to put on solar. We’re training how to do the maintenance. We’re training… as I drove through town, I saw people that are working at the gas stations and that’s great work, but we’re also training to make sure that when you have an electric vehicle that there’s someone there to help you power your electric vehicle and that we’re able to make money that way, but that we keep money in our community changing hands, that we do the workforce development teaching young people job readiness skills, and so we are excited to do these resilient hubs so that in the time of floods, in the time of storms, that we can still have power in our community” said Dr. Ambrose Frederick Carroll.
Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, welcomed their initiative and expressed government’s commitment to work closely with them for mutual benefits.
“We are looking for investors for our regions because one of the things that is creating a lot of problem for us that is even driving people into the illegal mining is employment. We believe that having this engagement and continuing with the conversation is going to bring in a lot of investment that can build, come out with industries to take our young ones from the mining sites”. Said Minister.
The major highlight of the visit was emotional traditional naming ceremony held at the Yiadom Hwedie Royal Palace in New Juaben for 22 of the African Americans visiting Ghana for the first time.
The event, chaired by the Paramount Chief, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III ,the saw the diasporans go through symbolic traditional rituals of naming; sipping water and palm wine to signify sincerity and a commitment to always choose truth over falsehood.
Curtis Junior Lee was named Yaw Frempong, Amber Blackwell – Akua Agyeiwaa, Mary Y. Puryear – Akua Serwaa Bonsu, Thomas L. Puryear – Kwesi Acheampong, Cheryl Doris Crenshaw-Robinson – Akosua Twumwaa, Kimberley Yvette Gise – Yaa Boatemaa, Lakesha Renee Crawford – Afia Awiesi, and Patrice Laird Walker – Ama Kessewaa.
The rest are: Mary Jane Washington-Nieves – Afia Nyamaa, Natalie Gina Wynn – Adwoa Anima, Ericka Elion Charlie Mae Laird – Afia Asantewaa, Varnette Dorote Tetterton – Akosua Boatemaa, Hohn Henry Laird – Akua Agyarko, Kwabena Osei Bonsu, Clara Jennings Wilson – Akua Brenya, Ambrose Frederick Carroll – Kwesi Debrah, Latisha S. Benjamin – Adwoa Acheampomaa, Katresa Marie Carroll – Afia Agyapomaa, Debra Ann Jennings – Akua Owusua, Donna Marie Patterson – Akosua Agyeiwaa, Sharon Yvonne Brown – Ama Amoanimah and William Martin Brown III – Kofi Asare Ankomah
Each participant received a certificate bearing their newly adopted Akan names and was adorned with traditional beads. They were also integrated into various Royal Families and clans.
Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III announced that land has been allocated for the establishment of a Diasporan Village to serve as a permanent home for returnees.
“I’m delighted to announce that in collaboration with the traditional council, we are preparing to establish a diaspora village in New Juaben . This village will serve as a home and community for those who wish to relocate” said Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III.
Rev. Hodari Williams, leader of the New Life Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, who himself was named after Daasebre Boateng as Prince in 2024 during a similar visit to Ghana, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed the group’s commitment to contribute to Ghana’s growth.
The return of the diasporans to their ancestry was facilitated by Hausa Tours. Regina Aku Dzamashie, Head of Finance and Administration at Hausa Tours called for orientation for traditional authorities to leverage on the advantage this integrations bring to community.
The Diasporans will end their visit to Ghana with a solemn visit to various forts and castles where their ancestors were shipped to the diaspora as slaves
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
