Tag: Stevie Wonder

  • American singer Stevie Wonder granted citizenship in Ghana

    American singer Stevie Wonder granted citizenship in Ghana

    Stevie Wonder, American Multiple Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, has been officially granted Ghanaian citizenship by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana.

    In a brief ceremony on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Jubilee House, the Grammy Award-winning artist and his family were presented with this honour.

    The renowned musician was commended for accepting Ghanaian citizenship by Kow Essuman, President Akufo-Addo’s legal advisor, in a social media post.

    The “Living for the City” hitmaker expressed his happiness at the recognition and spoke of his deep sense of kinship and belonging to Ghana, citing this sense of heritage.

    Officially, Stevie Wonder is a Ghanaian. His certificate of citizenship was obtained through Jubilee House registration, where he also took the Oath of Allegiance. Congratulations, Sir and welcome to Ghana.

    The renowned singer shared his sentiments, stating, “I guess it’s just the lineage I felt Ghana, I felt my civilization was there and I was there where it began. So, I thank all of you so very much. I always say this is the beginning, (the best part of the rest of my life got to do God’s promised).”

    Stevie Wonder, who now proudly represents both Ghana and the United States, obtained dual citizenship with this gesture. This moment in the musician’s life represents a major turning point, a deep appreciation for Ghana’s rich cultural legacy, and a meaningful connection to his ancestors.

  • American music icon Stevie Wonder arrives in Ghana, decides to relocate permanently

    American music icon Stevie Wonder arrives in Ghana, decides to relocate permanently

    The renowned American musician Stevie Wonder has touched down in Ghana, having made the decision to relocate there permanently in 2021.

    Wonder was greeted at the Kotoka International Airport by a local music group featuring drumming and cultural displays, according to an Instagram post on the Beyond The Return official page.

    It is currently unknown whether the 74-year-old Grammy Award winner intends to remain in Ghana permanently.

    The music icon was also seen playing the drums that the local music group used to welcome him, which goes along with his natural love of music.

     In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in February 2021, the renowned, multi-award winning artist gave his reason for choosing to relocate to Ghana, citing the political unrest in the US.

    “I wanna see this nation smile again. And I want to see it before I leave to travel to move to Ghana because I’m going to do that.”

    Winfrey then asked, “You’re going to permanently move to Ghana?”

    “I am,” replied the singer. He added, “I don’t want to see my children’s children’s children have to say, ‘Oh please like me. Please respect me, please know that I am important, please value me.’ What is that?”

    Born in Michigan, Stevie Wonder joined Motown in 1961 after learning to play the harmonica, drums, and piano by the age of nine. He has received 74 nominations for Grammy Awards, 25 wins, and an honorary award.