In a joyous ceremony at the presidential palace in Ghana, US musical icon Stevie Wonder was granted Ghanaian citizenship by President Nana Akufo-Addo on his 74th birthday.
“This is it, congratulations!” President Akufo-Addo told the Grammy winner as he handed him a certificate, along with a birthday cake adorned with the Ghanaian flag.
Wonder expressed his delight at gaining Ghanaian nationality on his birthday, calling it an “amazing thing.” While born and raised in Michigan, Wonder has always had a deep connection to Ghana, a country he believes his ancestral lineage is tied to.
The musician first expressed a desire to move to Ghana in 1975, after achieving success with hit albums. Although he remained in the US, Wonder continued to show his affinity for Ghana, even headlining a music festival in the country in the 1990s.
During a later trip to Ghana, Wonder wrote his album Conversation Peace and spoke out about his desire to escape racial injustice in the US by moving to the African nation. He credits his love for Ghana to the warm and welcoming people he met during his visits.
One of these memorable encounters was with late Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings, who allowed Wonder to co-pilot a flight across the country. Wonder fondly recalled flying from the north to the south of Ghana with President Rawlings, describing it as an “amazing” experience.
Flanked by his family and wearing a kente cloth scarf, Wonder was visibly overjoyed to officially become a Ghanaian citizen. Ghana has a rich history of pan-Africanism, with icons like W E B Du Bois and Martin Luther King also having strong connections to the country.
Ghana has been a welcoming place for diasporan Africans, offering citizenship to the descendants of Africans in 2001. Since then, the country has launched initiatives like the “year of return” to encourage Africans in the diaspora to relocate to Ghana.
With his new citizenship, Wonder plans to create job opportunities for Ghana’s youth, who make up a significant portion of the population. He believes that the continent’s youngest generation holds great potential and should be supported to achieve their greatness.
Wonder’s citizenship marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to attract diasporan Africans and recognize the contributions of the African diaspora. With his new status, Wonder hopes to make a positive impact and continue his deep connection to the country he loves.
