The historical relationship between Ghana and Black America is one of shared struggle, cultural exchange, and mutual inspiration. From the Civil Rights era to modern-day initiatives like the Year of Return, Ghana has been a beacon for African Americans seeking liberation, reconnection, and homecoming. This blog explores the political, cultural, and artistic collaborations that have shaped this transatlantic bond from the 1960s to today.
Nkrumah and Black America
When Ghana gained independence in 1957, it became a symbol of African liberation. President Kwame Nkrumah, a strong advocate of Pan-Africanism, invited African Americans to contribute to Ghana’s development. Nkrumah had studied at Lincoln University, an HBCU in Pennsylvania, where he was influenced by W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey. This shaped his vision of uniting Africans on the continent with those in the diaspora.
The Conference of Women of Africa and African Descent (CWAAD) (1960)
In July 1960, Ghana hosted the Conference of Women of Africa and African Descent (CWAAD) in Accra. The event, organized by the Ghana Organization of Women, focused on:
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Black liberation
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Economic empowerment
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Pan-African solidarity
Notable African American participants included Shirley Graham DuBois, Dorothy Ferebee, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, and Pauli Murray.
Music: Ghana and African American Collaborations (1960s–1970s)
Music has always been a powerful bridge between Ghana and Black America. The “Soul to Soul” concert (March 6, 1971) in Accra featured Wilson Pickett, Ike & Tina Turner, Santana, Roberta Flack, and The Staple Singers, alongside Ghanaian artists like Guy Warren (Kofi Ghanaba), The Damas Choir, and The Aliens.
Additionally, Ghanaian musicians like Guy Warren (Kofi Ghanaba) collaborated with jazz artists in the U.S., blending African rhythms with American jazz—a precursor to the Afrobeat movement.
Literature: A Transatlantic Literary Dialogue
African American writers found inspiration and collaboration in Ghana. Notable literary exchanges included:
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The African Review (1965-1966) – Edited by African American author Julian Mayfield, this magazine featured contributions from Maya Angelou and other Black intellectuals.
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Okyeame Literary Journal (1960s) – Published by the Ghana Society of Writers, this journal featured works by Kofi Awoonor, Ama Ata Aidoo, and Ayi Kwei Armah, alongside African American writers.
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Efua Sutherland’s Theater – Sutherland’s Ghana Drama Studio became a space for cultural exchange, attracting African American playwrights and performers.
African American Expatriates in Ghana
African Americans began expatriating to Ghana in the late 1950s and 1960s, drawn by:
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Escape from racial discrimination in the U.S.
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Opportunities to contribute to an independent African nation
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A desire to reconnect with African heritage
Many were intellectuals, activists, and artists drawn to Ghana’s Pan-African vision. Notable figures included:
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W.E.B. Du Bois – Became a Ghanaian citizen and worked on the Encyclopedia Africana
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Maya Angelou – Worked at the University of Ghana and engaged with Ghanaian writers
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Julian Mayfield – Editor of The African Review, active in political circles
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Malcolm X – Visited Ghana in 1964 and met with Nkrumah
The second wave of expatriates began in the 1990s and 2000s, fueled by a search for ancestral reconnection, Ghana’s citizenship initiatives and economic and investment opportunities
Today, thousands of African Americans live in Ghana, engaging in business, tourism, and cultural preservation.
The Legacy of Ghana-Black America Relations
The bond continues to evolve, shaping transatlantic Black identity and reinforcing Ghana as a homeland for the African diaspora.
Ghana has given African Americans a sense of belonging. In turn, African Americans have contributed to Ghana’s cultural and economic growth, creating a shared legacy of resilience, creativity, and Pan-African unity.
