Stakeholders urge Nigeria to learn from Ghana’s Year of Return initiative
Nigerian stakeholders in the hospitality industry have called for increased investment in cultural exchange and tourism, inspired by the success of Ghana's 'Year of Return' initiative, which reportedly generated nearly $1.9 billion in its inaugural year.
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At a press briefing in Abuja, industry leaders highlighted the transformative impact of the 'Year of Return,' which has positioned Ghana as a premier destination for African Americans reconnecting with their heritage.
They emphasized the potential for Nigeria to achieve similar success by adopting comparable initiatives.
The upcoming Cultural Oneness Festival, scheduled for November 2024 in Northern Ghana, was presented as a prime example of the economic opportunities that such cultural events can offer.
Mr. Kazeem Balogun, the Festival's Country Director, stressed the significant potential in tourism and entertainment sectors, noting, "It’s more like the United States of Africa," as he compared Ghana’s thriving tourism industry to the untapped opportunities in Nigeria.
Mr. Balogun pointed out that while Ghana has made strides in leveraging its cultural heritage to attract global interest, Nigeria’s efforts have been hampered by challenges, including government hesitance over granting citizenship to Africans in the diaspora.
However, he argued that the potential economic benefits of such initiatives far outweigh the concerns. "If Nigeria gets something like that, it will be in the record that through creativity, tourism, and culture, such an amount of money got into the government’s purse, just like in Ghana," he remarked.
The forthcoming Cultural Wellness Festival in Ghana, themed “Leveraging on Strength for Shared Growth and Prosperity as One People,” is expected to draw 80,000 participants. The event will serve as a platform for cultural exchange, business networking, and the promotion of African arts, further showcasing the potential benefits of such initiatives.
A key feature will be the Nigeria-Ghana tourism roundtable, designed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between stakeholders from both countries.
The Assistant Director of the Cultural Oneness Festival, Peace Onuiri, underscored the importance of Nigeria embracing similar cultural initiatives to boost its tourism and cultural sectors. “When Nigerians partner and participate in this, we will gain a lot. We’ll learn how to do things properly and reap the benefits,” she explained, highlighting the festival’s role in promoting unity and integration within West Africa.
Mr. Onuiri also called for a cultural shift among Nigerians, advocating for greater appreciation of local traditions and attire. “Our mentality has to change that we are Africans,” she said, encouraging the adoption of African cultural practices in daily life.
Mr. Tengol Kplemani, Chief Executive of The Taste of Afrika Ltd, elaborated on the festival's mission, stating, "Our mission is to promote unity and diversity through cultural exchange and continental visibility for economic empowerment. The festival will serve as a platform for various traditional rulers, kingdoms, and leaders from across the continent to come together, share their rich cultural heritage, and collaborate on ways to advance their communities."
Mr. Kplemani added that the event would also strengthen ties between Nigeria and Ghana, fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration between the two nations.