The impact of 'Year of Return' made Ghana popular tourist destination, boosting the economy

Political and entertainment pundit Kwame A Plus has praised the 'Year of Return' initiative, lauding its contributions to Ghana's tourism sector and economy.

This initiative, launched by the NPP-led administration in 2019, has been credited with transforming Ghana into a sought-after tourist destination.

A Plus, who is often critical of the government, acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture during the June 29, 2024, edition of UTV's United Showbiz hosted by MzGee.

He noted that though the ministry was established under former President John Mahama, the current NPP government recognized its importance and continued to support its growth.

"The government has done commendable work with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Some may argue that Mahama initiated the ministry, but the NPP saw its significance and maintained it. The 'December in Ghana' and 'Year of Return' initiatives, although not initially promised by President Nana Addo, have been very successful," A Plus stated.

He emphasised the economic benefits and the positive impact on the creative arts sector, urging the public to appreciate the ministry's exceptional work.

"These initiatives made Ghana a popular tourist destination, and the economic benefits have been substantial, especially concerning exchange rates. We continue to see positive effects even now," he added.

The Year of Return initiative, launched by the government in 2019, marked the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia.

It was a landmark movement, inviting the global African diaspora to reconnect with their heritage in Ghana and consider it a place for investment and development.

The initiative had a profound impact, attracting over half a million diasporans to Ghana in 2019, with some taking citizenship and establishing businesses.

It became one of Africa's most successful tourism initiatives, inspiring other countries to consider similar programs.

In 2020, then Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, reported in Parliament that Ghana earned US$3.3 billion from the Year of Return.

This revenue included expenditures on accommodation, food, shopping, local transport, and entertainment.

The government invested GH¢6 million in promoting the campaign both domestically and internationally.

She highlighted that the average expenditure per tourist was $2,391, with international arrivals reaching 1.13 million by the end of 2019, up from 956,372 in 2018, marking a 27% growth rate exceeding the global average of 5%.

The average expenditure per tourist rose from $2,708 in 2018 to $2,931 in 2019, resulting in total tourism receipts of $3.312 billion.

The influx of travellers positively impacted various sectors, including airlines, hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and arts and crafts dealers.