Let’s uphold our rich and traditional Ghanaian values - Dr. Maulana Maulana
The Founder and CEO of Ministry of the Future (MOF), Dr. Maulana Maulana is urging Ghanaians to strongly uphold the virtues that make the country attractive and a preferred destination for Diasporas.
Speaking at this year’s Modern Gospel Awards (MOGA) which took place at the National Theatre recently, Dr. Maulana Maulana, who was the key note speaker, explained that the youth must be encouraged to proudly showcase the “Ghanaianness” in them.
He pointed out that his desire to build a strong legacy for Ghanaian culture as well as help people of Black descent to have an understanding of their roots birthed the “Year of Return” initiative, which he started spearheading in the 90s as a member of WEB Dubois Centre.
“You must know where you are coming from, in order to know where you are going. A tree cannot stand and grow without roots because if you do not know where you are coming from, and where you are going; chances are someone will come along and grab your hand, and lead you somewhere, but in the wrong direction.
“As Ghanaian Africans, we have been ‘De-Africanised’ by European Colonialism and our minds have been Europeanised.
“So, what we Ghanaians must do is to embrace our own rich cultural-Heritage Principles, under the Institution of Sankofa and go back to our roots.
“What I simply mean is that we Ghanaian and Africans must De-Europeanise our minds, bodies, spirits and souls, and bring our entire state of being back to the conscious level of African Spirituality and Physical Manifestations, specifically, coming under Mother Ghana's Rich Cultural-Heritage. That is, Ghana First!,” he said.
According to Dr. Maulana Maulana, he was very concerned about the youth and their commitments to the positive agenda and development of Ghanaian values.
“Whatever we are doing now is great, but what will we be doing, tomorrow? What is the way forward? What are the youth going to engage in? How can we empower the youth?
“And this is where I come in. I conceived the idea and understanding of the "Year of Return" going back to 1990, at the W.E. B. Du Bois Centre for Pan African Culture., Accra.
“In 1990, I was awarded a Research Grant from 'Ghana National Commission on Culture' and assigned as a Researcher and Lecturer, at the Du Bois Centre and I’ve been fronting the Ghanaian culture and values all these years,” he stated.
Dr. Maulana Maulana said as a result of the African Diaspora Ghana Citizenship Initiative from 1990 - 2016, Ghana has become the number one tourism destination in Africa for Diasporas.
“Ghana-nization, simply means doing our things the Ghanaian way. The Global African Diaspora Community has chosen Ghana as the number one destination in Africa,” he stated.