Many have responded to Ghana's invitation. On the occasion of the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery, thousands of African-American visitors visited the country where 2019 was officially declared the "Year of Return" for the descendants of slaves.
Ghana was one of the major countries of departure for the slave trade between the 15th and 18th centuries. Located 150 km from the capital Accra, the Cape Coast Fort is the sad symbol. Here, tens of thousands of Africans were imprisoned before leaving for the Americas. Since US President Barack Obama visited the jails in 2009, the place has become a rite of passage for African-American tourists.
"It's 'the Year of the Return' and I think a lot of other people have to come here to go through history and understand our roots because by understanding, we can make sure it never happens again." says Roxanne Caleb, a pastor from the United States.
For several years, Ghana has been trying to encourage African Americans to discover their origins. With "Year of Return", the country hopes to see more visitors. Objective: to welcome 500 000 tourists in 2019, against 350 000 in 2018. But the authorities hope above all to convince the descendants of slaves to settle down for good.
Between 3,000 and 5,000 African-Americans have settled in Ghana in 10 years. A phenomenon that tends to accelerate.