“Wakanda City of Return”: Ghana Set To Build

Ghana is set to build ‘Wakanda City’. A place to serve as a pilgrimage for people of African descent.

The city of Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana is widely known as the nation’s tourism hub and the “Makah” for African Americans. Further, Every year, hundreds of Black people across the world visit the city and other historic slave sites. Why? To learn about the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

The region was the hotbed of the slave trade that saw millions of Africans uprooted to the New World. Consequently, the coastal region has a number of castles and dungeons that were used to keep enslaved men and women for days. This was before they are transported to the Americas to work on various plantations. However, since the end of slavery in Ghana (formerly Gold Coast), Cape Coast has seen the return of many African Americans. In addition, Caribbeans; who want firsthand information about the inhumane treatment their ancestors experienced.

“Wakanda City of Return”

In 2019, Ghana organized “the Year of Return“. The reason? To commemorate the landing of slaves from Africa in America. The event was highly patronized by members of the diaspora. But Beyond the Year of Return, there have been efforts to solidify the gains made.

In this regard, the city of Cape Coast has signed a memorandum of understanding. As a result, the Africa Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) and two local companies will create an ultramodern city. The city will be called the “Wakanda City of Return.” Certainly, the proposed name of the city is inspired by the popular Hollywood movie, “Black Panther.”

The project seeks to leverage the heritage and cultural tourist assets in Ghana, to create a place of pilgrimage. A place for the people of African descent to learn about their history, culture, and the civilization of Africa. Most importantly; its role in the creation of the new world economy.

The project, which is a private sector-led initiative, will develop the coastline and new areas in Cape Coast. Creating a heritage experience with the provision of 5-Star hotels, retreat/ health resort, conference centers, and an ultra-modern continental corporate headquarters for ADDI.

The organizers say the timing of the project is perfect since the country is still benefitting from the “Year of Return” and the “Beyond the Return” initiative organized by the government.

This project is expected to create about three thousand (3,000) jobs in Cape Coast.