Music icon and legend Stevie Wonder is officially a Ghanaian citizen, three years after promising to relocate to the country of gold, castles and sunshine.
The renowned American singer-songwriter took the Oath of Allegiance and received his Certificate of Citizenship to become a Ghanaian citizen on Monday at the Jubilee House in Accra, which was graced by the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and other high-ranking officials of the Presidency.
The ceremony was also attended by renowned Hollywood actor Akosua Busia and Grammy nominee Rocky Dawuni, as well as some members of the diaspora community in Ghana.
The occasion was also the culmination of efforts by the government to extend a warm embrace to the diaspora community to reconnect with the homeland through its Beyond the Return policy, which was launched in 2020 after the hugely successful year of return in 2019.
By the conferment of citizenship, Stevie Wonder now has dual nationality, as he already holds American citizenship.
Born Stevland Hardaway Morris in Michigan, Wonder’s musical genius emerged early. By the age of nine, he was already proficient in piano, drums, and harmonica. His talent was recognized by Motown Records in 1961, launching a phenomenal career that has garnered him a staggering 25 Grammy Awards and 74 nominations.
In his remarks at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo hailed the outstanding creative career of the Motown legend and expressed his joy for the occasion.
He formally extended a warm Ghanaian welcome to Stevie Wonder.
Enveloped by his family, the legendary songwriter and musician, who has been in Ghana about 4 times in the past, expressed his gratitude to all who made it possible for his dream to materialize.
The day was truly special for the music icon, who also celebrated his 74th birthday with the president on the sidelines of the event, where a commemorative cake was cut in his honor.