Ghana’s African American Diaspora Divided as US Election Nears

As the US presidential election approaches, African Americans in Ghana are split over their voting choices, closely following the race from afar. Many in Ghana’s capital, Accra, are dedicated to staying politically active despite the Atlantic divide.

In 2019, Ghana launched the "Year of Return" program, encouraging African Americans to reconnect with their roots by relocating to Ghana, drawing high-profile visitors and helping many feel a sense of belonging. Among them, shop owner Jimmie Thorne supports Kamala Harris, expressing fears of what a Donald Trump win could mean for Africa. "If Donald Trump is elected, it’s not good for Africa,” Thorne said, recalling Trump’s derogatory comments about African nations.

Not everyone in the diaspora agrees, however. Marcus Wright, a visitor to Ghana considering a permanent move, believes Trump’s economic policies could benefit the US again. Others, like longtime resident Durah Davies, have lost interest in US politics, focusing instead on Africa's future.

Ghana’s upcoming December election also has the attention of African Americans who’ve settled there. Thorne and Delia Gillis, who moved to Ghana in 2019, are eager to engage with Ghana’s political scene. Gillis emphasizes youth empowerment as crucial for Africa’s future, while Thorne, a newly-minted Ghanaian citizen, looks forward to voting locally for the first time.