Beyond The Return To Be Launched Soon Despite Covid-19 Scare

The Tourism Minister Mrs Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, has declared that though the Covid-19 pandemic has had an effect on a lot of initiatives, preparations are ongoing for 'Beyond the Return' program.

She said the activities previously planned for the 10-year initiative will take a different turn because of the global pandemic.

“Currently, because of Covid-19, the work on 'Beyond the Return' stalled a bit but we are working to launch it before the end of May, virtually,” she said.

She hinted that Cabinet had constituted an inter-ministerial committee to spearhead this project.

The minister in an interview with George Quaye, host of Showbiz A to Z on Joy FM, revealed that more virtual activities will be held in a bid to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Beyond the Return is a project launched by the President after the success of the Year of Return aimed at inviting all Diasporans back home after 400 years since the first slaves left the shores of Africa.

The government intends to implement the campaign-oriented project, “Beyond the Return – a Birthright”, over a 10-year-period to continuously carry out activities to sustain the Diaspora relationship and build on the positive impact of the initiative.

The campaign is on the theme, “A decade of African Restoration 2020-2030”.

Experience Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Pathways to Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Brand Ghana and Give back to Ghana were the pillars this initiative was being based on, Mrs Oteng Gyasi said.

These, she explained, were to help give Beyond the Return the clarity it needed and pave way for easier travels to Ghana and more investments.

“It is a project that we believe is very important to the country and if successfully executed we stand to derive a lot of gains and revenue for it. For this year most of the things that we will do will be virtual,” she said.

The minister used the opportunity to announce the completion of works in the Eastern Region's cultural centre while others were still ongoing.

The minister indicated that the cultural centre in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, is being renovated at the moment and would be ready by the end of the year.

She added that works on the Takoradi cultural centre were yet to begin.

---Daily Guide