The 50 Afro-Americans living in the US, who traced their ancestral origins to Cameroon and other African countries, left Cameroon at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5.
Afro-Americans were Wednesday, January 5, received by the Government Delegate of the Douala Urban Council, DUC, Dr. Fritz Ntone Ntone, an hour before the visiting delegation took off for the Douala International Airport. The event at the DUC was one in which gifts were represented as the main highlight.
The Afro-Americans, who were in Cameroon (the land of their forefathers) on the invitation of the Washington-based not-for-profit organisation, Acts of Random Kindness, ARK, Jammers working with the Cameroon Government to organise the first Ancestry Reconnection Program, ARP, were thrilled with chants by DUC band and souvenirs such as the city’s golden logo, a symbolic key for the city of Douala for the entire delegation. The symbolic gifts were received by Willis Evans and Williams on behalf of the delegation.
Each member of the 50-man delegation received a package comprising a jewel of Douala city logo, a book on the Sawa culture, and a T-shirt. The souvenirs, according to Dr. Fritz Ntone Ntone, who personally did the handing over in the presence of other council officials, were to enable them remember their trip and experiences they've had for the nine days they travelled the land of their ancestors. “The souvenirs are used as a way to convey words rather than saying it. They symbolise expressions or feelings better left to be acted,” he told the visibly elated guests who at every moment accorded standing ovation.
Eric Chinje, ARK Jammers Board Member, ace Cameroonian journalist and Head of Global Media Development for the World Bank, said these men and women will remind the world of a journey that started over two centuries ago with their ancestors travelling to the Americas in chains and through dangerous seas. They are coming back home as free men and women, in planes and through open and friendly skies," said Avline Ava, ARK Jammers President, a Cameroonian living in Paris, France.
