In a recent interview with the BBC, tourism expert and lecturer Prof. Kobby Mensah reflected on the success and significance of Ghana’s Year of Return campaign. He explained that the initiative, which gained global attention in 2019, was not a standalone event but part of a larger journey that began with Panafest and Emancipation celebrations in the early 1990s.
Prof. Kobby being prepared for the session
According to Prof. Kobby Mensah, the campaign amplified Ghana’s long-standing efforts to reconnect with the African diaspora, blending cultural healing with themes of investment, settlement, and integration. He highlighted the tangible gains: international arrivals rose from under 1 million in 2018 to nearly 1.3 million in 2024, and tourism revenues almost doubled from $2.7 billion to nearly $5 billion.
He further noted that local businesses, especially in hospitality, transport, and tourism services, experienced significant growth during and after the campaign. On the cultural front, he emphasized the renewed sense of identity and unity among both Ghanaians and the diaspora, thanks in part to the role of social media in broadening engagement.
Addressing concerns about price hikes and authenticity, Prof. Kobby Mensah explained that seasonal increases were natural in a market economy and that the complexity of the slave trade’s history cannot be resolved by a single campaign. He concluded by affirming that while Ghana’s economy isn’t yet tourism-centric, the country is poised to benefit more if it continues on this path sustainably.
The Year of Return is a movement one rooted in healing, unity, and a shared future between Ghana and its diaspora,” he concluded.
Story by: Lein Tetteh
In a recent interview with the BBC, tourism expert and lecturer Prof. Kobby Mensah reflected on the success and significance of Ghana’s Year of Return campaign. He explained that the initiative, which gained global attention in 2019, was not a standalone event but part of a larger journey that began with Panafest and Emancipation celebrations in the early 1990s.
Prof. Kobby being prepared for the session
According to Prof. Kobby Mensah, the campaign amplified Ghana’s long-standing efforts to reconnect with the African diaspora, blending cultural healing with themes of investment, settlement, and integration. He highlighted the tangible gains: international arrivals rose from under 1 million in 2018 to nearly 1.3 million in 2024, and tourism revenues almost doubled from $2.7 billion to nearly $5 billion.
He further noted that local businesses, especially in hospitality, transport, and tourism services, experienced significant growth during and after the campaign. On the cultural front, he emphasized the renewed sense of identity and unity among both Ghanaians and the diaspora, thanks in part to the role of social media in broadening engagement.
Addressing concerns about price hikes and authenticity, Prof. Kobby Mensah explained that seasonal increases were natural in a market economy and that the complexity of the slave trade’s history cannot be resolved by a single campaign. He concluded by affirming that while Ghana’s economy isn’t yet tourism-centric, the country is poised to benefit more if it continues on this path sustainably.
The Year of Return is a movement one rooted in healing, unity, and a shared future between Ghana and its diaspora,” he concluded.
Story by: Lein Tetteh