Prominent businessman and Chancellor of Cape Coast University Sir Sam Jonah is proud that Ghana has become a leading destination for African Americans seeking to reconnect with their ancestral roots.

In a speech filled with historical significance and future aspirations, he shared a message of hope from Ghana with the Morgan State University graduating class of 2024 on Saturday, May 18.

"I bring you greetings from Africa, and a message of hope from Ghana, my beloved motherland," the speaker began, highlighting Ghana's transformative journey, a nation that has transitioned from colonial oppression to a beacon of decolonisation and reconciliation in Africa.

Sam Jonah emphasised Ghana's historical and contemporary connections with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), underscoring a shared legacy of struggle and triumph.

"Ghana and HBCUs share a deep bond, woven through shared struggles and triumphs," he noted.

He mentioned how Ghana's first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, an alumnus of Lincoln University, became a global icon of freedom and visionary leadership.

The poignant history of W.E.B. Du Bois, a Fisk University alumnus who spent his final years in Ghana, was also celebrated.

Du Bois' legacy lives on at the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan-African Culture in Accra, a testament to his enduring impact on Ghana and the Pan-African movement, Sam Jonah said.

Ghana's historical role in the transatlantic slave trade, marked by the infamous "Door of No Return" at Cape Coast Castle, he stated has now been reimagined as a symbol of return and reconciliation for the African diaspora.

"Ghana, once entwined in the dark history of the transatlantic slave trade, has transformed into a beacon of return and reconciliation for the African diaspora," the speaker affirmed.

In 2019, Ghana launched the "Year of Return," commemorating 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia, USA.

Sam Jonah said this landmark initiative invited the diaspora to return "home," fostering a profound reconnection with their ancestral roots.

He said the initiative has positioned Ghana as a leading destination for African Americans seeking to heal and reconnect with their heritage.

Further strengthening these ties, he said Ghana has granted citizenship to numerous African Americans, including Global Music Icon and Social Justice Activist Stevie Wonder.

"Ghana has further cemented this connection by offering citizenship to numerous African Americans, fostering a renewed sense of belonging and healing from the scars of history," Sam Jonah said.

He said this initiative not only acknowledges the painful past but also celebrates the resilience, culture, and profound longing of Africans and their descendants worldwide.

Sam Jonah honoured luminaries such as Maya Angelou, Dr Martin Luther King Jr., and Kim Godwin, emphasising the importance of meeting one's moment in history.

Quoting Kim Godwin's inspiring words to Morgan State University graduates, he urged the audience to rise to their challenges: "We stand on the shoulders of many who have already met their moments, and now is the time for you to meet yours."

Concluding, acknowledged the harsh realities of today's world but remained hopeful about the future, inspired by Ghana's journey and the enduring spirit of its people and their descendants.