Call for proposals: Beyond the Return events in Ghana

Launched in Accra on 9 September, Beyond The Return is a decade-long, follow-up programme to 2019’s Year of Return campaign. It seeks to build on the tourism gains chalked up by the Year of Return, which invited the African diaspora to return to the country to mark 400 years since the first African slaves were shipped to the US.

The project is coordinated by the Ghana Tourism Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Presidential Office of Diaspora Affairs, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and the Ghana Tourism Development Company.

"I’m really looking forward to the events this year, especially the ones that will give back to Ghana through initiatives that seek to serve the local communities like the commissioning of boreholes we saw last year," Beyond the Return manager Annabelle McKenzie said. "It will be great to see more events that highlight Ghana’s culture as part of Beyond the Return because it will expose diasporans to the diversity and richness of Ghana’s culture and heritage.”

Creative entrepreneurs and organisations operating in the arts, culture, tourism, hospitality and related industries are encouraged to participate. The event categories include concerts and entertainment, fashion, community service, investment, children and youth, theatre and arts, conference, and panels.

To qualify, the events must be designed around the seven pillars of Beyond the Return, namely Experience Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Diaspora Pathways to Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Brand Ghana, Give Back to Ghana, and Promote Pan-African Heritage and Innovation. Separate forms must be submitted for each event.

Submission forms are available here. Only soft-copy submissions will be accepted. Additionally, event organisers should describe how their programmes will fit into the Beyond the Return initiative and how they will be of direct benefit to both the diaspora and local Ghanaian communities.

Note: Due to COVID-19, in-person events can host a maximum of 100 people. In-person events with more than 100 attendees must be held outdoors.

Questions or comments can be forwarded to support@beyondthereturngh.com and more information is available on the Beyond the Return official website.