In a significant boost to the government’s agenda of positioning Ghana as a year-round tourism destination, a historic contingent of 500 members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), has arrived in the country.
The visit by the pioneering African-American sorority is expected to deliver a major economic boost and further strengthen cultural ties with the diaspora beyond the traditional December peak season.
The delegation, led by the sorority’s International President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Danette Anthony Reed, is in Ghana to commemorate the organisation’s 118th Founders’ Anniversary and to reconnect with their ancestral roots.
The visit is seen as a direct continuation of the momentum generated by the landmark “Year of Return” in 2019 and the ongoing “Beyond the Return” initiative.
Strategic tourism policy
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Gilbert Aggrey, widely known in media circles as Abeiku Santana, hailed the visit as a testament to the success of Ghana’s strategic tourism policies.
“This visit will strengthen Ghana’s economy, and reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to promoting and facilitating year-round visits by the global African family, not just in December,” he stated.
He said the large-scale visit demonstrated the potential of targeted diaspora engagement to stabilise and boost tourist arrivals throughout the year.
The President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mr Reed, underscored the profound significance of the journey for the membership and its expected bilateral benefits.
“We are here not only to celebrate our sisterhood but to intentionally engage with the land of our ancestors.
This pilgrimage is deeply spiritual for us, and we are committed to ensuring it has a meaningful and positive impact on Ghana’s economy and community,” Mr Reed added.
Historic trip
Central to the success of this historic visit was the coordination by the Adinkra Group, led by its CEO, Diallo Sumbry.
A key architect of the “Year of Return##”, Mr Sumbry played a pivotal role in organising the logistics and cultural programming for the 500 visitors.
“This event is a powerful catalyst. It will significantly boost the Ghanaian economy through tourism expenditure, promote our rich culture, and strengthen enduring cultural and business ties between Ghana and the United States.
It is a model for sustainable diaspora engagement,” Mr Sumbry explained.
The visit includes a series of cultural immersions, community service projects, and commemorative events scheduled for the week.