Stevie Wonder Has Secured Ghanaian Citizenship

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has proudly conferred Ghanaian citizenship on the legendary musician, humanitarian, and global icon, Stevland Hardaway Morris, known to the world as Stevie Wonder. This momentous event celebrates Wonder’s immense talent and achievements, as well as his deep connection to Africa and his unwavering efforts to promote unity, solidarity, and cultural exchanges among people of African descent.

President Akufo-Addo emphasized that Stevie Wonder’s decision to become a citizen of Ghana reflects his profound respect and admiration for the nation’s history, culture, and values. Describing this new citizenship as a vivid manifestation of the goals of the Year of Return, commemorated in 2019 to bridge African peoples on both sides of the Atlantic, Akufo-Addo called on everyone to draw inspiration from Wonder’s legacy. He encouraged all to strive for a future where creativity flourishes, diversity is celebrated, and the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood transcend all differences.

“In conferring Ghanaian citizenship upon Stevie Wonder, we not only extend our warmest embrace to a beloved son of Africa but also reaffirm our belief in the enduring spirit of Pan-Africanism and the global African family, and the boundless potential of our continent and all its descendants,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

Stevie Wonder joins a lineage of diasporans who have made Ghana their home, including missionaries, policemen, lawyers, doctors, health workers, writers, artists, and musicians. Notable figures among them include George Padmore, a close associate of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah; Rita Marley, widow of Bob Marley, who resides in Aburi; celebrated writer Maya Angelou, a contemporary of Akufo-Addo at the University of Ghana, Legon; and the great scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, who also found a home in Ghana and is buried here.

President Akufo-Addo highlighted Stevie Wonder’s illustrious career, which spans over six decades and has captivated millions with his soulful melodies and unparalleled talent. Wonder has used his platform to champion social justice, equality, and human rights, making his life synonymous with creativity and the transformative power of music.

“From his timeless classics, which have become anthems of hope and inspiration, to his tireless advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities, Stevie Wonder has touched the lives of countless individuals and left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness,” the President added.

In closing, President Akufo-Addo echoed a personal favorite and oft-cited statement of the famous Jamaican reggae star, Peter Tosh: “Don’t care where you come from, as long as you’re a black man, you’re an African.” This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of Stevie Wonder’s new Ghanaian citizenship, celebrating a beloved son of Africa and reinforcing the unity and shared destiny of all people of African descent.