The “Beyond the Return Summit,” held in Accra, Ghana, on December 23, 2024, served as a crucial juncture for evaluating the achievements of the Beyond the Return initiative and charting its future course. Organized by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Beyond the Return Secretariat, the summit, themed “Beyond the Horizon,” brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, both from Ghana and the international community. The central focus of the summit was a comprehensive review of the initiative’s progress over the preceding five years, identifying its successes and formulating strategies to ensure its continued impact in the years to come. The summit underscored the initiative’s significant role in solidifying Ghana’s position as a premier cultural and tourism destination, particularly for the African diaspora.
The summit provided a platform for prominent figures to share their insights and perspectives on the Beyond the Return initiative. Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, the outgoing Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, emphasized the program’s transformative impact, describing it as a driving force behind Ghana’s economic and cultural resurgence. He stressed the importance of the summit in defining the initiative’s future trajectory, highlighting the need for strategic investments and partnerships to sustain its growth. Hon. Kobi Khalid Kamau, Mayor of South Fulton, Georgia, also contributed to the discussions, offering an international perspective on the initiative’s significance. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and other notable figures echoed these sentiments, praising the initiative’s success in promoting Ghana as a cultural and tourism hub.
The summit, expertly moderated by renowned broadcaster Bernard Avle, fostered a dynamic and engaging environment for participants. They were encouraged to reflect on the accomplishments of the past five years while simultaneously setting ambitious goals for the future. The emphasis was on fostering impactful collaborations that would not only benefit Ghana but also contribute to the development of the African continent as a whole. The summit aimed to build on the momentum generated by the “Year of Return,” which successfully attracted significant interest and investment in Ghana.
Beyond the Return, building on the foundation laid by the Year of Return, aimed to deepen engagement with the African diaspora and promote sustainable economic development. The summit served as a platform for exploring new investment opportunities, strengthening existing partnerships, and showcasing Ghana’s potential as a key hub for cultural exchange and economic growth. It explored strategies to leverage the initiative’s success to attract further investment in tourism, infrastructure, and cultural projects. The summit emphasized the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and diaspora communities to maximize the initiative’s impact.
The summit delved into the specific achievements of the Beyond the Return initiative over the previous five years. These successes included increased tourist arrivals from the diaspora, growth in related industries such as hospitality and transportation, and a heightened awareness of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage globally. The summit highlighted the initiative’s contribution to promoting cultural exchange and fostering a deeper understanding between Ghana and the African diaspora. It also acknowledged the challenges encountered and discussed strategies to overcome these obstacles in the next phase of the initiative.
Looking ahead, the summit outlined a roadmap for the future of Beyond the Return. The strategy emphasized sustainable tourism development, community engagement, and the creation of long-term economic opportunities for Ghanaians. The summit underscored the importance of building on the existing momentum to ensure that the initiative continues to deliver positive outcomes for Ghana and the African diaspora. The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development, ensuring that the Beyond the Return initiative continues to thrive and contribute to Ghana’s growth and development.
