President John Dramani Mahama has issued an open invitation to people of African descent worldwide to return to Ghana, citing legislation that grants the right of abode and a visa-free regime that eliminates cost barriers for African travelers.

Speaking at the close of the three-day Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice and the historic joint commemoration of Juneteenth at Christiansborg Castle in Accra, President Mahama told diaspora representatives from the Americas and the Caribbean that Ghana was their home.

“Ghana is your home, and you are all free to visit Ghana whenever you want. We have passed an act that allows people of African descent to seek abode in Ghana. If you want to come home to the motherland, Ghana is one of the countries that has a law that allows you to come and stay,” President Mahama said.

The President noted that Ghana had introduced a visa-free regime for all Africans, removing the cost barrier that had made travel to the country inaccessible for many on the continent. He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working to extend the same arrangement to CARICOM countries, and that visa waivers were already in place with most Caribbean nations.

Conference and Juneteenth Commemoration

The invitation came at the conclusion of three days of deliberations on reparatory justice that brought together leaders, scholars, jurists and civil society representatives from Africa, the Caribbean, North America and Latin America — many of them descendants of Africans taken from the continent through the transatlantic slave trade.

President Mahama told the gathering that the conference marked the beginning of a unified voice between Africa and its diaspora, and that the joint commemoration of Juneteenth on African soil for the first time was a symbol of what that unity looked like in practice. The event, held on June 19, 2026, included an emotional reenactment of the slave trade at the historic Osu Castle and was attended by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, along with heads of state and government representatives from across Africa and the Caribbean.

Concrete Legislative Steps

President Mahama said Ghana’s role as a destination for the African diaspora was not merely symbolic. The country had taken concrete legislative steps to make return a real option for those who wished to reconnect with the continent, building on the Right of Abode legislation that had already drawn thousands of diaspora Africans, particularly from the United States, to settle in the country.

The Right of Abode law, passed in 2001, grants descendants of enslaved Africans the right to reside permanently in Ghana, enter without a visa, and work without a work permit. The government’s new e-visa platform, launched on Africa Day, May 25, 2026, allows all African passport holders to apply for visas online without paying any fees.

Justice Beyond Reparations

The President said the work of the conference extended beyond reparations and the return of cultural artefacts into a broader advocacy for a more equal world — one that offered genuine opportunity to the descendants of those who had been taken from Africa in chains and whose communities continued to bear the economic consequences of that history.

“The pursuit of justice extends beyond reparations and the return of cultural artefacts,” President Mahama emphasized, calling for a more equitable and inclusive global order that provides opportunity, dignity, and fairness for all people.

A Unified Roadmap

Participants at the conference adopted an outcome document to guide future international cooperation on reparatory justice, historical remembrance, and restitution. President Mahama described the gathering as a milestone in strengthening ties between Africa and its diaspora, declaring: “Ghana is your home. You are always welcome in the motherland.”

The joint commemoration stands as a powerful symbol of unity between Africa and its diaspora, while reinforcing ongoing efforts toward justice, recognition, and shared progress.

A decade after first bringing Street View to the “Gateway to Africa,” Google has returned with its most ambitious imagery update yet, deploying next-generation camera technology to offer the world a sharper, more vivid digital window into Ghana’s urban hubs and historic coastlines.

Announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the major expansion provides deeper and broader coverage across Ghana’s largest cities, national highways, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and scenic nature reserves.

The tech giant aims to keep Google Maps fresh and comprehensive while making the country’s rich cultural tapestry globally accessible via a mobile device or desktop computer.

“We are thrilled to share a major imagery update across Ghana, featuring an expanded coverage of the country’s bustling cities, national highways, and historic heritage sites,” said Cynthia Wei, Street View Program Manager at Google.

From Kejetia Market to Coastal Forts

The latest refresh allows users to stroll through the vibrant streets of Accra and Kumasi digitally. Urban explorers can now view the striking, ship-like architecture of the National Theatre of Ghana, navigate the sprawling, colorful stalls of Kumasi’s famous Kejetia Market, or take a virtual tour outside iconic athletic venues like the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Stadium.

Beyond city centers, the imagery charts major highways, allowing users to virtually drive the N10 north through Tamale or follow the N12 and N2 highways to explore the eastern and western regions. Utilizing Google’s upgraded, ultra-portable camera systems, the update brings sharper colors and crisper imaging to the app.

The expansion also shines a spotlight on Ghana’s rich historical and natural heritage. International users can now take a virtual journey to the coast to explore the historic forts lining the Gulf of Guinea—including designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Inland, near Kumasi, the imagery captures the unique architecture of the traditional Asante buildings, offering a glimpse into the legacy of the great Asante Empire.

Eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts will also benefit, as the update traces eco-friendly paths along major river systems—including the Volta River—and provides virtual tours of botanical gardens, nature reserves, and the pristine beaches stretching across Ghana’s southern coast.

A Commitment to Deeper Coastal Coverage

To mark this milestone, Google brought its latest ultra-portable, high-resolution Street View camera to the country in 2026. Perry Nelson, Site Lead for Google Ghana, invited users to dive in, stating:

“Head over to Google Maps, drop the Pegman, and start your virtual journey today.”

Looking ahead, Google has prioritized deepening its footprint along the coast. The immediate goal is to transform single highway lines into detailed, granular city views for culturally rich coastal hubs like Cape Coast and Takoradi.

To access the new imagery, users can simply open Google Maps. On a desktop browser, they can drag and drop the yellow Pegman icon onto blue-highlighted roads. On mobile devices, users can zoom in, drop a red pin on a specific location, and tap the resulting photo thumbnail to enter Street View.

The update transforms Google Maps into a powerful tool for global travelers, historians, and armchair explorers, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the vibrant heart of West Africa.

To activate Google Street View, simply open Google Maps, search for a location, and look for the Street View imagery by using the methods below:

On a Computer (Web Browser) Search for a location or address on maps.google.com.

1. Click the small yellow Pegman icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. The map will highlight all available Street View areas in blue lines or dots.
3. Drag and drop Pegman onto a blue-highlighted road to enter Street View.
4. On a Smartphone or Tablet (iOS & Android)

Open the Google Maps app and search for a place.

1. Zoom in on the map until you find the exact street you want to see.
2. Tap and hold on the map to drop a red pin.
3. A small photo thumbnail of the location will pop up (usually in the bottom-left or top-left corner).
4. Tap the thumbnail to enter Street View.

Alternatively, in the mobile app, you can tap the Layers icon (the stacked squares at the top right) and select Street View to highlight all accessible roads in blue.

On Friday, June 19, 2026, Ghana hosted a landmark joint commemoration of Juneteenth on the grounds of Christiansborg Castle in Osu—the very site where countless enslaved Africans once passed through the “Door of No Return” into the unknown horrors of the transatlantic slave trade.

President John Dramani Mahama joined an esteemed gathering of heads of state and government, traditional leaders, members of the African diaspora, and international delegates to mark the historic collaboration between Africa and the United States in observing Juneteenth.

Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

Speaking from the coastal fortress that now stands as both a somber memorial and a symbol of resilience, President Mahama paid solemn tribute to the millions of Africans who endured systematic enslavement, violent displacement, and the forced erasure of their identity. Yet, in the same breath, he honored the unyielding resilience, courage, and enduring spirit of their descendants across the globe.

The commemoration carried profound weight, arriving on the heels of the successful conclusion of the Next Steps High-Level Consultative Conference on Reparatory Justice—a landmark summit convened in Accra just days prior. President Mahama noted that the outcomes of that conference, which produced a comprehensive outcome document to guide future international cooperation, provided a concrete foundation for the historic gathering at the castle.

During his address, the President stated that the global pursuit of justice must expand beyond narrow definitions. He stressed that true restitution and historical remembrance must ultimately lead to a more equitable and inclusive global order—one that guarantees opportunity, dignity, and fundamental fairness for all people, regardless of geography or ancestry.

Bolstering this philosophical call with tangible policy, President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering commitment to strengthening ties with the African diaspora. He detailed existing national policies that actively welcome people of African descent to reconnect with their ancestral homeland, including clear pathways for residence and expanded visa-free travel arrangements across the continent.

In a direct and emotional appeal, the President declared, “Ghana is your home. You are always welcome in the motherland.”

The event drew a distinguished roster of participants, underscoring the international significance of the moment. Notable attendees included Mia Amor Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados, alongside representatives from several African and Caribbean nations.

Traditional authorities, members of the global African diaspora, and diplomatic envoys stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the castle grounds, forging a visible tableau of transatlantic unity.

By turning one of the darkest chapters of human history into a platform for diplomatic solidarity, systemic reform, and diasporic reconnection, Ghana has once again positioned itself at the vanguard of the global movement for reparatory justice. As world leaders looked out from the turrets of Christiansborg Castle over the Atlantic, the message was unmistakable: the past cannot be undone, but the future can be rewritten with justice, dignity, and belonging.