Nadia "Sparkle" Henry
In the first of my two-part Journeys column, I focused on Ghana's "Year of Return," one of the country's initiatives to help Black visitors gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination -- and themselves.
This week, my attention turns to another Ghanaian campaign and to Detty December, a monthlong, nationwide celebration of culture.
'Beyond the Return'
"Beyond the Return" is a culture, history and tourism initiative launched by the Ghanaian government in 2020, following the success of "The Year of Return." The government and the Ghana Tourism Authority encouraged African Americans and people of Caribbean descent to return to Africa to invest in or start businesses and to accelerate tourism to the country.
As I did with my "Year of Return" trip five years earlier, I brought another group of clients to Ghana this past Dec. 27 to Jan. 3. From the moment I landed at the airport, I noticed a remarkable transformation from the time of my last visit.
The drive to our resort was a testament to Ghana's incredible development. I saw significant construction of new roads, businesses and housing that reflected a modern and progressive approach to development. The infrastructure of the capital, Accra, had been revolutionized.
The first things that caught my attention were the newly paved roads and the rising apartment buildings. There were many signs advertising new single-family homes and villas available for purchase. As I spent more days in the city, I noticed the nice modern boutique clothing stores, along with an array of new restaurants, bars and lounges.
I also noticed significant upgrades at Kwame Nkrumah Park in Accra.
My clients had the chance to explore a newly developed Ghana, immersing themselves in a rich culture that celebrates the new and commemorates the past.
Detty December
They also enjoyed the city's parties, live music festivals and other festivities during a period known as Detty December, which draws thousands of tourists each year and is celebrated throughout the country. It is especially impressive in Accra and another major city, Kumasi.
Those cities already feature a vibrant nightlife and music scene, but the festivities draw even greater numbers of locals and visitors. It's a momentous time for tourism: People from across the African diaspora -- African Americans, Afro Caribbeans and Black people who have settled in Europe -- take the opportunity to reconnect with their roots and participate in the year-end celebrations. Detty December offers a truly unique opportunity to explore their cultural heritage. And Detty December is much more than just a holiday season; it's a vibrant phenomenon blending traditional Ghanaian culture with modern entertainment and offers an exciting and enriching experience for both locals and visitors.
Whether through music festivals, parties, family gatherings or tourism, Detty December has become one of the most anticipated events celebrating African identity, culture and unity with global reach.
Beyond 'Beyond the Return'
The "Beyond the Return" initiative is ongoing and continues to encourage people of African descent to travel to Ghana for cultural and economic exchanges.
More and more travel agencies serving the African American community are offering Detty December packages that include guided heritage tours of slave "castles" (Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle), cultural events and nightlife hot spots. It's a welcome development for African American travelers, and I doubt my recent group visit will be my last.