Twelve African Americans have adopted Ghanaian names in a traditional ceremony held at the Yiadom Hwedie Palace in New Juaben, Eastern Region of Ghana.
The naming ceremony, overseen by the Paramount chief (Omanhene) of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, with representatives from Ghana Tourism Authority celebrated the individuals as they were welcomed into their Ghanaian families.
The traditional naming ceremony marks a symbolic reunion of the twelve African Americans to their ancestral roots as they integrate into Ghanaian families, embracing new identities tied to Akan culture.
Among them, Jean Lamarr James was given the name Akua Amoanimah, Desiree Edonna Saab became Adwoa Agyeiwaa, Deborah Rene was named Adwoa Asantewaa, and Maxine Ople Cuffe took the name Ama Pokuaa.
Other new names included Cindy Denise China as Yaa Afrah, Felicia Angela China-Richardson as Abena Afrah, Michelle Elizabeth Doaman as Abena Amponsah, and Norma Maureen Bernard as Afia Nyamaa.
Sonya Patterson received the name Yaa Akyaa, Beverly Eunice Douglas was named Yaa Pomaa, Regina Plaza took the name Afia Asantewaa, and Florence Ince became Adwoa Pokuaa.
They were presented with precious Ghanaian beads by the various families and certificate bearing their adopted names.
Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III commended the group’s decision to embrace Akan names as a symbol that transcends generations, stating that such cultural reunions strengthen ties between Ghana and the African American community.
He encouraged the newly integrated members to use their connections to foster mutual development and inspire unity between Ghana and America.
“Today is a special day as we open our arms to you not just as visitors but family own ny the deep and resilient root,and shared heritage. Your decision to reconnect with your root to identify with our culture and into embrace Ghanaian Akan names is a powerful gesture one that transcend generation. A journey that celebrate the spirit of our ancestors and by embracing an Akan names and joining families in this traditional area you are not only honouring them but also adding new dimension to the cultural journey of both Ghana and American” Omanhene of New Juaben Daasebre Kwaku Boateng.
The African Americans expressed commitment to facilitating development in their ancestral homeland over the long term, aligning with the mutual aspirations for cultural and developmental exchange.
The group, led by Rev. Hodari Williams of New Life Presbyterian Church,Atlanta, USA, expressed a deep appreciation for the ceremony. Rev. Williams, who was himself named after the chief Daasebre Kwaku Boateng last year, said it was refreshing to lead African Americans to reconnect with the homeland where they were once stolen from.
“I want bring my people back to the country- the land from where they were taken. We come back every year with different group to reunite them with the community , with the land they were stolen, that we are grateful.The reception in this community is amazing. Daasebre is exceptional person and leader. The community of New Juaben is welcoming, we love the whole koforidua region and just excited every year we have opportunity to come back”.Said Hodari Williams.
He outlined long term plan to enhance development and impartation of foreign expertise.
“Long term we have planned to work with the community hopefully with some building opportunities. We want to continue our support for slyhe school. We bring many professionals to also overtime begin to donate their time and resources to the community. We also can gain from the land we have come to”.
The trip, which was made possible by the 2024 Best GTA Tour Guide Company, Hausa Tours, serves as a model boosting Ghana’s tourism and facilitate the integration of disporans into their ancestral homes.
Regina Aku Dzamashie, Head of Finance and Administration at Hausa Tours,
“Last year our target was to bring over 60,000 tourist to Ghana and will say vision in progress. Ghana Tourism Authority saw the vision they realize Hausa tours is doing more so we won Eastern Region Tour Guide of the year and tour operator of the year. We further proceeded to National nominated among best three tour company of the year. Our CEO won tour guide of the year. Last year we brought over 78 group members down . We don’t just give them the names we put them into families which goes long way to create that family ties with our brothers and sisters in the diaspora”.
The team earlier visited Nana Kwaku Boateng school to donate teaching and learning materials to the school with promise to resource the computer lab with computers to enhance teaching of ICT.
As declared by the United Nations, 2015-2024 is the international decade for people of African Descent to promote respect, protection and fulfillment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent.
Around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent.
Most of these Africans, who ended up in different parts of the world as a result of the middle passage, for years, are reconnecting with the motherland Africa.
Ghana seized the opportunity to roll out “Year of Return, and Beyond the Return”to welcome such individuals integrating them into families and providing citizenship status to those who express interest.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/ Kojo Ansah
