Political and entertainment pundit Kwame A Plus has called for applause for the 'Year of Return' initiative, which was initiated by the NPP-led administration in 2019.
A Plus, who has been critical of the performance of the government, lauded the efforts of the government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in bolstering the country's tourism sector.
On the June 29, 2024, edition of UTV's United Showbiz hosted by MzGee, he said that despite the ministry's inception under former President Mahama, the current NPP government recognized its significance and continued to support its growth.
According to him, the 'December in Ghana' and 'Year of Return' initiatives, although not originally promised by President Nana Addo, have been a resounding success and have transformed Ghana into a sought-after tourist destination.
"If you look at the work the government has put into the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
"Some people say that Mahama initiated that ministry, but it seems the NPP government saw its importance, or else they would have removed it.
"Even though the 'December in Ghana and Year of Return initiatives were not part of Nana Addo’s promises, the work he did was very good," he said.
A Plus further cited the positive effects of the initiatives including the economic benefits and its impact on the creative arts sector in the country.
He urged the public to acknowledge and commend the ministry for its exceptional work in bringing these initiatives to life, which, he says, has enhanced Ghana's cultural and economic landscape.
"Look at its impact, it made Ghana a popular tourist destination, and the benefits to the economy were very good, especially the exchange rates. And we are still seeing the positive effects till now," he said.
About the Year of Return
The Year of Return initiative was a landmark movement launched by the government of Ghana in 2019.
It marked the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia—a pivotal moment in the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
The initiative was not only a commemoration but also a call to action; it invited the global African diaspora to return to their ancestral homeland, specifically Ghana, to reconnect with their heritage and consider Ghana as a place for investment and development.
The campaign had a significant impact, with over half a million diasporans visiting Ghana in 2019, some of whom have since taken citizenship and established businesses in the country.
It was one of the most successful tourism initiatives on the African continent, leading to other countries considering similar programs.
In 2020, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, stated that Ghana earned US$3.3 billion from the Year of Return initiative. This revenue encompassed expenditures on accommodation, food, shopping, local transport, and entertainment.
The government allocated GH¢6 million towards promoting the Year of Return campaign domestically and internationally, she said.
The minister highlighted that the average expenditure per tourist was $2,391. She further noted that by the end of 2019, international arrivals reached 1.13 million, up from 956,372 in 2018, marking a 27% growth rate that exceeded the global average of 5%.
The average expenditure per tourist rose from $2,708 in 2018 to $2,931 in 2019. Consequently, tourism receipts totalled $3.312 billion. The increased influx of travellers positively impacted sectors including airlines, hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and arts and crafts dealers.
She made this known in Parliament.
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Kwame Aplus Commends NPP Government for 'December in Ghana' Initiative#UnitedShowbiz pic.twitter.com/12lvbQBeFa
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) July 1, 2024
