We, the undersigned of those African ancestors brutally taken away as the result of the heinous crimes against humanity known as the Trans Atlantic European Slave Trade, through the Door of No Return and scattered throughout  various parts of the Diaspora; ascendant/descendant survivors who have endured Slavery, Jim Crow, Segregation, and various manifestations of racism based on our African origin, strongly encourage and urge the government of Ghana to extend Dual Citizenship, in order to insure and increase the continued economic, social and cultural participation of those who presently live in Ghana and the scores who intend to visit, study or live in Ghana within the years to come.

 

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/dual-citizenship---ghana/

 

FIRST I GIVE ALL HONOR AND GLORY TO OUR MOTHER FATHER CREATOR AND TO THE MEMORY OF OUR GREAT AFRIKAN ANCESTORS

I speak these few words with the blessings of the ancestors and on behalf of the voices of thousands of repatriates presently residing in Ghana, and those interested in repatriating, and/or doing business in Ghana.

 

I am IMAHKÜS Njinga Okofu Ababio.  I am she who has returned, like thousands of others to the land of our ancestors, the land of our inheritance, through the Gateway to Africa, Ghana.  I repatriated with my husband, Nana Okofo Iture Kwaku Ababio, from New York City twenty years ago.  I am a business woman operating a Health Resort & Wellness Centre, Restaurant and Tour Operation, with my family.  I am an ascendant of those ancestors who survived the heinous crimes against humanity, the Trans Atlantic European Slave Trade.

 

Ghana is a strategic and important country regarding the history, culture and presence of developing relationships for the future of Africa as well as relationships with the more than 5,000 Africans of the Diaspora currently living in Ghana with their families.  Over the past decades thousands have returned to Ghana with their resources, their talents, skills and commitment, representing an array of different generations, cultures, religions, businesses, etc. 

Services and investments that have been created over the decades by these individuals and organizations are valued at over more than a 100 million dollars including tourism, building of hotels, hospitals, schools and others businesses that benefit the society as a whole.

An indigenous person by the virtue of birth in Ghana is eligible for Dual Citizenship, as compared to us of African ascent/descent ripped away from the very shores of West Africa, who now return faithfully and loyally with skills, education, finances, and commitment but have not been deemed worthy to receive Dual Citizenship or the Right of Abode.

 

I come here today pleading morality, pleading for justice, pleading for the support of Pan African individuals, organizations, political entities and others to assist us in lobbying the Ghanaian government to introduce legislation immediately, that will make the opportunity of Dual Citizenship available to those who have returned after decades, after millions of dollars of investment and consistent with the teachings of Pan Africanism and paving the way for those who will return to Ghana in the future.  Remember, we have never released our birth right from the land of our ancestors and after more than twenty years as stakeholders, we stake our rightful claim to Dual Citizenship.

 

We in Ghana, as in the Diaspora are prepared to work hand in hand with the Parliament of Ghana, the House of Chiefs and appropriate Ministries to accomplish this objective.

 

  • We came to Ghana because we were invited and encouraged to come.
  • We came because we believed in Ghana and the Continent of Afrika.
  • We came to build our homes, establish businesses, and financially influence the economy and the culture.
  • And we came with the necessary skills, financial resources, and commitment to be part of the further growth and development of Ghana and of Afrika.
  • Additionally, many brothers and sisters from the Diaspora have been made Chiefs and Queen Mothers of Development throughout Ghana.

 

In closing, I leave you with the following words of wisdom and blue print for our advancement:

To control a people you must first control what they think about themselves and how they regard their history and culture.  And when your conqueror makes you ashamed of your culture and history he needs no prison walls and chains to hold 

you.  The chains on your mind are more than enough. Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Historian

 

A person without his/her history is like a tree without roots. Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X)

 

Up you Mighty Race you can accomplish what you will. The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey

 

Forward Ever, Backward Never. Osageyfo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (First President of Ghana)

 

These are important messages from our ancestors and we can do it together.  When we add letter "E" at the end of the word together, it spells 'to get here" and we will, together.

 

Written by Seestah IMAHKÜS Njinga Okofu Ababio – One Africa