By Lucy Adautin
With election day approaching, the US election has stirred division among African American diaspora in Ghana.
Seeing one wearing a scarf decorated with an image of Kamala Harris, Jimmie Thorne, a printing shop owner in Accra, Ghana, watched US election coverage closely.
The 70-year-old is part of a unique group of African American voters following the US presidential race from afar.
In 2019, Ghana launched an initiative inviting the African diaspora to relocate to West Africa and reconnect with their heritage.
Since the “Year of Return,” which marked 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia, numerous African Americans have moved to Ghana, seeking a sense of belonging.
Initiated by Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, the programme drew high-profile visitors like Steve Harvey, Samuel L. Jackson, and Usher, bolstering Ghana’s status as a global tourist destination.
However, those who have made Ghana home often experience a dual identity, continuing to vote in US elections from abroad, with some using social media to influence voters back in the US.
Thorne is open about his stance.
Wearing a stars-and-stripes shirt and surrounded by Democratic Party items, he declared, “I’m voting for Kamala Harris because democracy is at stake. She’s the best choice, without a doubt.”
Thorne expressed concern about the impact of a Donald Trump win on both the US and Africa.
“If Trump is elected, it’s bad for Africa. He’s labeled us ‘shithole countries,’ and that’s how he views us.”
Other African Americans in Ghana are also backing Harris.
Delia Gillis, a retired Africana Studies professor who relocated to Ghana in 2019, is particularly excited about Harris’s candidacy as a woman of color.
“It’s inspiring to see someone who resembles me aiming for the highest office,” Gillis shared.
“African American women have long been dedicated to the electoral process, and now we have a chance to elect someone presidential in demeanor.”
Yet, not all African Americans in Ghana support Harris.
“I believe Trump deserves another chance,” said Marcus Wright, a US visitor to Ghana considering a permanent move.
“His economic policies created jobs and strengthened the economy. I think he could do it again.”
Some, however, feel detached from US politics.
“I don’t care about the US elections,” said Durah Davies, 65, who has lived in Ghana for 15 years.
“The US has committed grave injustices and has historically oppressed Africans worldwide. My focus is on Africa and our people’s well-being.”
For Thorne and Gillis, Ghana’s upcoming elections hold equal significance.
As Ghana approaches its December elections, the competition between Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and opposition leader John Mahama is heating up.
Gillis stresses the importance of empowering the youth.
“The future of the continent depends on its young people,” she said.
Having gained citizenship two years ago, Thorne will vote in Ghana’s December elections for the first time.
“I finally feel like a true citizen,” he said. “My voice matters, and I’m excited to shape the future of my new home.”
