The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, has launched his book, “When We Returned: From Chains to Crown,” at the W.E.B. Du Bois Center in Accra.
According to Mr Agyemang, the book captures his personal experiences during the “Beyond the Return” initiative, a campaign aimed at strengthening the connection between Africa and its diaspora.
During the launch, Mr. Agyeman reflected on the inspiration behind his writing, describing how the Year of Return and his visits to Ghana’s historical dungeons profoundly impacted him.
He explained that these experiences revealed the deeper significance of the African story, prompting him to document his perspectives.
“As I went through the period of the Year of Return, going through the dungeon experience with a lot of people and all that, it started dawning on me that this story is deeper than all of us, and I need to start putting my perspectives on paper so that it also inspires others to write,”* Mr Agyeman said.
“If we were all to write our story, I believe that our history will be richer and we will all be able to leave something behind for others to learn.”He added
Mr. Agyeman also expressed his hope that the book would resonate with Ghanaians and deepen the understanding of the African diaspora connection.
The book launch was graced by the presence of the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who served as the special guest of honour.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the ongoing significance of African storytelling and the importance of ensuring that Africa’s narrative is one of triumph and progress.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate the launch of ‘When We Returned: From Chains to Crown,’ we are reminded that the journey is far from over. The story of the African people is still being written, and it is up to us to ensure that it is a story of triumph, empowerment, and progress,”* the President remarked.
He urged that efforts continue to build on the foundation laid by the Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiatives, saying, “We must continue to build on the foundation laid by the Year of Return and Beyond the Return, working together to create a future where all people of African descent can live with dignity, prosperity, and pride.”
President Akufo-Addo concluded by emphasizing the book’s role in inspiring future generations: “Let this book serve as a reminder of our shared history and our collective responsibility to uplift one another. Let it inspire us to continue the work of transforming chains into crowns, of turning the trials of the past into the triumphs of the future.”
The launch of “When We Returned: From Chains to Crown” is seen as a pivotal moment in promoting a deeper understanding of the African experience and encouraging continued dialogue and connection between Africa and its diaspora.
