African American
Related: About this forumAfrican-Americans resettle in Africa
Ghana is the first African country to open its doors to people of African descent from all over the world but bureaucracy takes a toll
By Efam Dovi
The ocean helps me fall asleep and wakes me up in the morning, says Mr. Thompson, an African-American retiree taking a stroll on the beach where palm trees shade hand-carved canoes. Where else can I live this close to the ocean? It would cost me millions of dollars!n Prampram, a town just an hours drive east of Ghanas capital Accra, many holiday houses line the shores of the South Atlantic Ocean. One of them belongs to Jerome Thompson. Located only 500 metres from the water, Mr. Thompsons house is resilient to the effects of the salt and wind. The floors, windows and doors are made of hard wood. His self-designed furniture is made from quality Ghanaian timber and hand-carved by local artisans.
Mr. Thompson, a native of Maryland in the United States, retired to Ghana 11 years ago. He first visited the West African country on a tour in 2000. I fell in love with Ghana and its people, he recalled, during an interview with Africa Renewal. It was good seeing black people, my people, in charge of the country (Ghana).
That trip took him to many attractions across the country, including the Cape Coast Castle from where centuries ago millions of Africans walked through the infamous Door of No Return into slave ships bound for plantations in the Americas and the Caribbean, never to set foot in their homelands again.
But for their descendants like Mr. Thompsons, the sign that hangs on that infamous door today reads: Door of Return.
I was so ready to turn my back on the United States, he says, adding: We did so much for the US, yet they dont want to see us as first-class citizens.
A feeling of belonging
Mr. Thompson is one of the 20 or so African-Americans and other people from the diaspora of African descent who have found a home in this fishing community, attracted by the beaches and the peace and tranquility the town offers away from the hustle and bustle of Accra.
http://www.modernghana.com/news/615713/1/african-americans-resettle-in-africa.html
bravenak
(34,648 posts)heaven05
(18,124 posts)gives me ideas. I love the ocean so.
qwlauren35
(6,145 posts)In the Caribbean. I have been researching Africa and the problems there are so extensive. Perhaps Ghana has gotten it together and will be untouched by places like Cote D'Ivoire and Nigeria. Cote D'Ivoire is having a lot of problems.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)It'll take a lot of $$$$, though
kwassa
(23,340 posts)The Episcopal church we used to attend was about 30% Liberian immigrants. There are African families everywhere.
JustAnotherGen
(31,798 posts)But in ten years tops - pura vida!