Photo Credit: Oneika Raymond

If it felt like everyone you knew was in Ghana over the holidays, you’re not alone. Friends and celebrities alike swarmed the capital city of Accra to usher in the New Year and live their best lives at vibrant festivals like Afrochella, which was hands down the country’s event of the season.

There’s no need to get a case of FOMO though. Ghana has declared 2019 the “Year of the Return,” for Black people around the diaspora. From soul stirring tributes to the ancestors at the Full Circle Festival, to concerts and festivals, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get in on the action.

Cherae Robinson, Founder of Tastemakers Africa, a disruptive travel company that is changing the typical narrative and giving travelers a new and experiential way to see Africa, couldn’t be more excited to see the increased interest in travel to the Continent, and is doing her part to make sure people don’t miss out on the festivities next year.

“Africa is 54 nations of amazing experiences. From the culture and history of Ghana and the beaches and safaris of Kenya, to the landscapes and vibes of South Africa and beyond, it is the sleeper pick for Black travel in 2019,” she told ESSENCE. “Home grown festivals and events that rival Coachella, welcoming arms of Black and brown people, and direct flights from the U.S. mean it’s finally time to go home, again and again.”

Still not sure Ghana should be on your travel list this year? Check out Robinson’s reasons why Black people everywhere need to return home to Ghana in 2019 and beyond.

Pan Africanism Is Real In Ghana

A little history lesson: Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president studied at Lincoln University, an HBCU just outside of Philadelphia. While president, Mr. Nkrumah was host to many African-American and diaspora leaders from around the world including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, W.E.B. Du Bois, Maya Angelou, and Muhammed Ali. He is often referred to as the father of Pan-Africanism, and that vision is felt throughout the city from Black Star Square to the W.E.B. Du Bois burial site and memorial. It is the perfect place to envision a united Africa and diaspora.

Ghana Is LIT!

Ghana is going through a bit of a rebirth as a destination. Last year, The New York Times Magazine named Accra the coolest city in Africa, each August thousands of creatives and artists flock there for Chale Wote, the biggest street art festival in West Africa, and this past December all your favorite celebs (Idris Elba, Naomi Campbell, and Jidenna to name a few) descended on Ghana to connect with home and turn all the way up. From afrobeats in the club to special events like The Garden Party, to one of the fastest growing festivals on the continent Afrochella, there is no shortage of things to do and vibes to find.