The government has negotiated with local chiefs to earmark 500 acres of land near the nation’s center for newcomers, carving out enough space for about 1,500 families. Survey and registration fees are waived for members of the African diaspora.
The effort grew out of a public campaign called the Year of Return, which attracted a record number of tourists to the West African country last year — four centuries after the first slave ship reached Virginia — and aims to convert visitors to residents with special land deals, expatriate guides and easier paths to citizenship.
“We want to remind our kin over there that there is a place you can escape to,” said Akwasi Agyeman, chief executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority. “That is Africa.”
If I were a Black American and thoroughly fed up, I might be tempted by this. It strikes me as analogous to American (and other) Jews who make aliyah, i.e., move-- or as they see it-- return to Israel. It doesn’t mean individuals who do this don’t have a right to stay in the country where they were born and have citizenship, but after a lifetime (or several lifetimes) of being treated like outsiders, it must feel good to go to a country that welcomes you. It must be a relief to feel like you belong.
Right before the protests exploded, my mother talked to me about her desire to migrate to another country. But she didn’t talk like this again after the protests really took off. I think her seeing all the white people (and folks around the world) showing out for black people gave her hope that maybe America is worth sticking around for.
I am content to stay here, but I wouldn’t mind checking out Ghana and seeing what it is all about.
A person’s identity is based on a variety of aspects, many of which may turn out to be irrelevant in a different geographical location and cultural context.
This is a smart move. Many countries like Cambodia and the Philippines have been attracting retiring westerners.
A friend from work plans on retiring to I think, Costa Rica or some other central American country, I’m not sure. Their requirement is you must always bring in I think $2,000 a month or something like that? Ghana could do the same and this could be a good source of income.
Question is in Ghana would they have access to medical care and other public services. I had a good friend in college from Ghana.
I can see that this option might appeal if you (as I said above) are fed up and don’t want to wait until donkeys fly. And having an option is always good IMHO.
I think feeling wanted is a real human need, whether that comes from family members, friends, loved ones, or the community at large. If I lived in a country where I didn’t feel wanted, I would give serious consideration to an invitation from a country that would provide that for me.
That’s just me, though. I don’t think anyone should have to be in a position to consider that, and I agree with @casdave that a country should strive to make all its citizens feel like there’s a place for them in the community.
I recall reading an article (sorry, too long ago to remember or provide a cite) about some people who emmigrated to their ancestor’s country and were told, “You’re not from here, you’re American. You blurt out what’s on your mind without thinking who might be listening.”
Maybe it’s just the ‘come home’ wording, but ISTM, that’s going to give white people who tell black people to ‘go home’ or ‘go back where you came from’ a lot more bite.
The fundamental crux is they dont matter. Even in the concept its fixed on what the response from white people would be. I think that’s part of the allure my friends who are expressing this interest… feel…
I’m no expert on stuff like this, but wouldn’t any African-American who had the resources for an emigration like this be looked upon as an outsider by the average Ghanan? Wouldn’t he or she be looked upon as a spoiled rich American who doesn’t fit into regular society?
There are plenty of Ghanaian expats/ immigrants who live in the States. They tend to be more educated and well-to-do than your average black American, and I’m sure that engenders some butthurt among some. But for the most part they are accepted the same as any other immigrant group. I see no reason to think the reverse couldn’t happen.
Well if say Ghana allows americans to come as long as they can put $2,000 a month into a Ghana bank, it will be good for Ghana. Imagine 1,000 Americans bringing in $2,000 a month. That’s $2 million a month brought into a local economy.
If Ghana can build a clean, safe place (which it already is) for the Americans to live with access to electricity, clean running water, internet and medical care they could attract quite a few.
Looked into this a bit and the story is only partly true. There is no offer of free or discounted land or homes. Ghana wants wealthy people to immigrate, and will help expedite the process for those wealthy people(of African heritage of course) so that they bring their money with them. Oh and to escape racial persecution in America also
This is the bit that might be a sticking point for people considering the move. If the article is really all about expediting the process for wealthy US citizens, it may not live up to expectations.
By this, I mean that anyone considering a move to another country wants a lifestyle as good as their current one or better. If Ghana isn’t able to provide that kind of lifestyle in all the areas a potential newcomer is looking for, then will the lack of racism be enough of a draw to them?
I can see it appealing to people who want to downsize their current lifestyle. Like retirees. People who are OK with a smaller, less impressive home and who won’t miss all the luxuries of American middle-class life, just as long as they get something out of it.
I can see my world-traveling sister making this kind of move. She’s not especially wealthy or educated, so she might not be the kind of African American that Ghana is trying to court. But she’s looking ahead to retirement and thinking globally rather than locally because she knows her retirement savings aren’t going to go far if she stays here. And she has a work ethic that can match any other immigrant’s. I could see her doing very well in Ghana (I can see her doing very well anywhere, actually, except for the Arctic tundra).
I can’t access the original article as I’m outside the US so I don’t know the finer details but yes, I can see it might appeal to people looking to retire and downsize. I just wonder if that’s the kind of demographic Ghana is wanting to attract too. As a US citizen, can you take a pension from the US if you live in another country without losing out on its value? That could make the retirement community an attractive proposition if they can take their money with them as income and then have a better standard of living elsewhere.
I’m just curious because we have family and friends who’ve considered a move overseas but it’s always viewed in terms of whether another country could provide them with the standard of living and health benefits available here.