American Legislator receives historic welcome in Paga after DNA test traces ancestral roots to Ghana

Representative Carol Ammons, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 103rd District in the United States, has received a historic and emotional homecoming in Paga after an advanced DNA ancestry test traced her roots to the community.

The colourful welcome ceremony, held on Thursday, July 2, at the Pikworo Slave Camp in Nania-Paga, brought together traditional leaders, government officials, academics and residents to celebrate what many described as the return of a daughter of the land.

Welcoming the American legislator on behalf of the chiefs and people of Paga, Thomas Awiah described the occasion as a landmark event that symbolised the reconnection of the African diaspora with their ancestral homeland.

“Today is a memorable occasion as we come together to celebrate and welcome our august visitors who have travelled from America all the way to Paga to reconnect with their roots, especially Carol Ammons,” he said.

Awiah praised Ammons for undertaking the journey to trace her ancestry and reconnect with her heritage, expressing hope that her example would inspire more people of African descent across the diaspora to rediscover their origins.

He further called for stronger partnerships between the diaspora and local communities through investment, education, skills transfer, cultural preservation and youth exchange programmes.

“Together, we can work to promote the development of our community through investment, education, skills transfer, cultural preservation and support for our young people, especially through exchange programmes,” he added.

Addressing the gathering, Representative Ammons described the event as both a homecoming and a rebirth, saying it marked the fulfilment of a lifelong search for her identity.

She paid tribute to the millions of Africans who endured slavery and the generations whose resilience made it possible for descendants in the diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.

“We salute our ancestors in the Caribbean islands, those who fought in Haiti, those who fought in the Western Hemisphere, those who fought for our freedom on the shores of America. We salute the pyramid builders, the field slaves, the house slaves and domestic workers, those who survived and made it possible for me to come here today,” she said.

Representative Ammons also honoured Ghana’s founding President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and other African leaders who championed the struggle for freedom and independence across the continent.

She commended President John Dramani Mahama for his efforts to seek international recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as one of history’s gravest crimes against humanity, describing such initiatives as important steps towards acknowledging historical injustices and advancing global conversations on reparative justice.

The legislator expressed profound appreciation to Dr. Lakisha David, whose DNA ancestry research helped trace her lineage to Paga, saying the discovery had answered many longstanding questions about her origins.

“I am so overwhelmed by learning that I am from this part of the world,” she said.

As part of the ceremony, Representative Ammons was given the traditional name “Aloresongo,” meaning “I have identified my roots,” and was subsequently enskinned as the Development Queen of the area in recognition of her commitment to strengthening ties between the diaspora and her ancestral home.

The durbar, held on the theme “claiming our roots, restoring our bonds,” attracted distinguished guests, including the District Chief Executive for Kassena-Nankana West, Stephen Aeke Akurugo; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Professor Albert Luguterah, who delivered the keynote address; traditional rulers from Ghana and neighbouring Burkina Faso, heads of institutions, students, women’s groups and members of the general public.

Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | David Adapuna

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