Global music icon, Stevland Hardaway Morris, best known as Stevie Wonder has acquired his ghanaian citizenship during a commemorative ceremony at the Jubilee house.
Celebrated as a songwriter, and producer with numerous awards, Stevie Wonder arrived in Ghana to secure citizenship after strong expressing interest in living in the country over recent times. First expressing his desire to move to Ghana in a 2021 interview with Oprah, he cited political instability and widespread racism in the United States of America as primary motivations.
The colorful ceremony inducting the musician as a Ghanaian national took place at the Jubilee House on the 13th of May, 2024 which also happened to be his 63rd birthday . The event was graced by many dignitaries, including the president of the Repiublic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Greater Accra Minister, Henry Quartey, as well as the Director of Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Akwasi Awua Ababio.
At the ceremony, the acclaimed and record producer shared his sentiments regarding the honor bestowed upon him.
“I guess it’s just the lineage I felt in Ghana, I felt my civilization was there and I was there where it began. I always say this is the beginning, [the best part of the rest of my life got to do with God’s promised].”
Stevie Wonder would now be a double citizen in possession of a Ghanaian and an American citizenship.
Stevie Wonder is a legendary American native, now Ghanaian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for his innovative and soulful music which he made all whilst being visually impaired.
With a stack of 25 Grammy awards, nominations and other accolades, Wonder is best known for hits such as ‘Superstition’, ‘Isn’t she lovely’ and ‘Happy Birthday’. He is also a steadfast activist involved in advocating for people with disabilities and black people.
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Story by: Kwao Gerald | univers.ug.edu.gh
