Legacy Is Forever

"I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me."

Learn About Our Mission

Our Pillars

Spotlight

Featured stories, cultural milestones, and global connections that illuminate our shared heritage.

Explore Spotlight

Vision Keepers

Honoring partners, elders, and guardians of tradition who preserve our collective wisdom.

Meet the Keepers

Connecting the Dots

Pan-Africanism, education, and diaspora unity through shared knowledge and purpose.

Connect With Us

Nana's Corner

Teachings, reflections, and messages of legacy from our ancestors and elders.

Visit the Corner

Coast to Coast

Cape Coast history, conferences, and global journeys that trace our ancestral paths.

Trace the Journey

For the Children

Preserving culture and creating opportunities for future generations to thrive.

Support Future Generations

Join Our Community

Stay connected with updates, events, and stories from the diaspora.

IVAS (International Vision for African Solidarity) is a global organization dedicated to preserving African heritage, reconnecting the diaspora with ancestral roots, and fostering cultural continuity across generations. Founded on the principles of Sankofa—looking back to move forward—we bridge the gap between past and present, honoring our ancestors while empowering future generations.

Our Philosophy

"Legacy is not what we leave behind, but what we carry forward. It is the living memory of our ancestors, the cultural DNA that shapes our identity, and the responsibility we bear to future generations."

Our Founding Story

IVAS was established in 2005 by a collective of diaspora leaders, traditional elders, and cultural preservationists who recognized the urgent need to address the cultural dislocation caused by centuries of separation from the African continent. The organization emerged from a series of historic "Return to Source" journeys to Ghana's Cape Coast, where participants experienced profound healing through reconnection with ancestral lands.

What began as informal gatherings of diaspora returnees evolved into a structured organization with programs spanning three continents. Today, IVAS operates cultural centers in Ghana, the United States, and the United Kingdom, serving thousands of diaspora members each year through education, cultural programming, and return journeys.

Our Core Values

Sankofa

Learning from the past to build a better future. We honor ancestral wisdom while innovating for contemporary challenges.

Ubuntu

"I am because we are." We believe in interconnectedness and collective responsibility for community wellbeing.

Justice

Commitment to historical truth, reparative justice, and equitable access to cultural reconnection.

Sustainability

Building programs that endure across generations, ensuring cultural continuity long after we're gone.

Our Global Reach

5,000+

Diaspora Members Served

Through return journeys, cultural programs, and educational initiatives since 2005.

42

Communities Engaged

Across Ghana, the Caribbean, United States, United Kingdom, and Brazil.

15

Years of Impact

Building bridges between the African diaspora and the continent since 2005.

Our Leadership

Dr. Kwame Abena

Founder & Executive Director

Historian and cultural anthropologist with 25 years of experience in diaspora studies. PhD from University of Ghana.

Nana Ama Serwaa I

Traditional Affairs Director

Queen Mother of Abura Traditional Area and cultural preservation expert. Leads all traditional ceremonies and rituals.

Akosua Mensah

Diaspora Relations Director

Former community organizer with 15 years of experience connecting diaspora communities across three continents.

Our Partners & Affiliations

IVAS collaborates with a global network of organizations committed to cultural preservation and diaspora reconnection:

UNESCO
World Heritage Centre
Ghana Museums
& Monuments Board
PANAFEST
Foundation
Diaspora African Forum
Accra, Ghana

Get Involved

IVAS is more than an organization—it's a movement. Join us in preserving cultural heritage and reconnecting the African diaspora with ancestral roots:

  • Participate: Join a return journey or cultural program
  • Volunteer: Offer your skills to support our mission
  • Donate: Support our programs financially
  • Partner: Collaborate with us on cultural initiatives
  • Advocate: Spread awareness about diaspora reconnection
Back to Home

The General Secretariat serves as the administrative engine of IVAS, ensuring operational excellence, financial stewardship, and strategic implementation across all our global initiatives. Led by the Secretary-General, this department coordinates between our offices in Ghana, the United States, and the United Kingdom, maintaining the organizational integrity that allows our mission to thrive.

Operational Excellence

The General Secretariat ensures that IVAS operates with transparency, accountability, and efficiency, maintaining the highest standards of nonprofit governance while adapting to the unique challenges of transnational cultural work.

Meet Our Secretary-General

Dr. Abena Ofori-Ansah

Secretary-General

With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and diaspora affairs, Dr. Ofori-Ansah brings exceptional organizational leadership to IVAS. She holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Howard University and an MBA from the University of Ghana.

Before joining IVAS, Dr. Ofori-Ansah served as Executive Director of the Ghanaian Cultural Association of North America and as a consultant to UNESCO on diaspora engagement projects. Her leadership philosophy centers on "servant leadership" — empowering team members while maintaining clear strategic direction.

Secretariat Departments

Finance & Administration

Manages budgeting, accounting, grant administration, and financial reporting across all IVAS operations. Ensures compliance with international nonprofit standards.

  • Annual budget: $2.1 million
  • Financial transparency: Gold rating
  • Grant success rate: 78%

Human Resources

Oversees staffing, professional development, and organizational culture across three continents. Implements equitable hiring practices and staff wellness programs.

  • Full-time staff: 42
  • Volunteers: 150+ annually
  • Staff retention: 92%

Operations & Logistics

Coordinates complex transnational operations including return journeys, international conferences, and cultural exchange programs. Manages facilities and technology infrastructure.

  • 3 international offices
  • 12+ major events annually
  • Logistics success rate: 96%

Strategic Priorities 2024-2026

2024: Infrastructure Development

Expand Physical Presence

Establish two new cultural centers in Brazil and Jamaica to serve growing diaspora communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

2025: Digital Transformation

Virtual Reconnection Platform

Launch an interactive digital platform for diaspora members to access cultural resources, genealogy services, and virtual community building.

2026: Sustainability Initiative

Endowment Building

Establish a $10 million endowment fund to ensure long-term financial stability and program continuity for future generations.

Governance & Accountability

Board of Directors

IVAS is governed by a 12-member international board representing diaspora communities, traditional leadership, and cultural experts. The board meets quarterly to provide strategic oversight.

  • Chair: Nana Kwame Ababio I
  • Vice-Chair: Dr. Sheila Walker
  • Treasurer: Michael Thompson, CPA
  • Secretary: Abena Boateng, Esq.

Financial Transparency

IVAS maintains the highest standards of financial accountability with annual independent audits and public disclosure of financial statements.

  • Annual audit: KPMG Ghana
  • Program spending: 82%
  • Administrative costs: 12%
  • Fundraising costs: 6%

Accreditations

IVAS holds several international accreditations recognizing our commitment to excellence in nonprofit management and cultural preservation.

  • UNESCO Consultative Status
  • ECOSOC Special Consultative Status
  • Ghana Museums Board Partnership
  • GuideStar Platinum Transparency

Annual Reports & Publications

2023 Annual Report

Published: March 2024 48 pages

Comprehensive overview of IVAS activities, financial performance, and impact metrics for fiscal year 2023. Includes program outcomes, donor recognition, and strategic outlook.

Strategic Plan 2024-2028

Published: January 2024 64 pages

Five-year strategic roadmap detailing organizational goals, growth targets, program expansion, and sustainability initiatives for the coming half-decade.

Impact Assessment 2022-2023

Published: November 2023 36 pages

Independent evaluation of IVAS program effectiveness, participant outcomes, and community impact conducted by the University of Cape Coast Research Institute.

Contact the Secretariat

For inquiries related to governance, partnerships, or organizational matters:

  • Email: secretariat@ivaslegacy.org
  • Phone: +233 24 123 4567 (Ghana Office)
  • Mailing Address: IVAS General Secretariat, P.O. Box 1234, Cape Coast, Ghana
  • Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM GMT
Back to Home

Nana Bentuma (Elder Bentuma) serves as the Spiritual Elder and Traditional Advisor to IVAS, providing ancestral wisdom, cultural guidance, and spiritual leadership that grounds our work in timeless African traditions. As a respected elder from the Oguaa Traditional Area of Cape Coast, Nana Bentuma bridges the worlds of traditional knowledge and contemporary diaspora engagement.

Nana's Wisdom

"The river does not forget its source, even as it travels far to the sea. We, the children of Africa scattered across oceans, must remember our source, for in that remembering, we find our strength, our purpose, and our healing."

The Life of an Elder

Nana Kwaku Bentuma

Spiritual Elder & Traditional Advisor

Born in 1945 in Cape Coast, Nana Bentuma was raised in the traditions of the Oguaa people. From childhood, he showed exceptional memory for oral histories and a deep spiritual sensitivity. He underwent traditional training as an "Okyeame" (linguist/spokesperson) and later studied African Traditional Religion at the University of Ghana.

For over 50 years, Nana Bentuma has served as a cultural custodian, preserving histories, rituals, and medicinal knowledge that might otherwise have been lost. He has trained three generations of traditional leaders and has been instrumental in several cultural revitalization projects throughout Ghana.

Role in IVAS

Spiritual Guidance

Leads all traditional ceremonies for IVAS programs, including libation pouring, naming ceremonies, and ancestral remembrance rituals. Ensures that all spiritual practices are conducted with proper cultural authenticity and respect.

  • Conducts 50+ ceremonies annually
  • Trains IVAS staff in ritual protocols
  • Advises on spiritual preparation for return journeys

Cultural Education

Teaches traditional knowledge through storytelling sessions, proverbs, and historical narratives. Develops educational materials that accurately represent Oguaa and broader Akan cultural traditions.

  • Monthly storytelling sessions
  • Proverb-of-the-week teachings
  • Historical narrative preservation

Diaspora Integration

Facilitates the cultural integration of diaspora returnees into Ghanaian communities. Serves as a bridge between traditional structures and diaspora members seeking reconnection.

  • Personal counseling for returnees
  • Community introduction ceremonies
  • Conflict resolution mediation

Teachings & Proverbs

Wisdom from Nana Bentuma

"The tree with strong roots laughs at storms."

Meaning: When we know our history and cultural foundations, we can withstand any challenge.

"One finger cannot lift a stone; it takes the whole hand."

Meaning: Collective action and community are essential for achieving meaningful goals.

"The river that forgets its source will soon run dry."

Meaning: Cultural continuity depends on remembering and honoring our origins.

"When the moon is not full, the stars shine brighter."

Meaning: In times of difficulty, community members step up to support one another.

Nana's Corner Programs

Moonlight Stories

Monthly storytelling sessions held under the full moon at the IVAS Cultural Center in Cape Coast. Nana shares traditional tales, historical narratives, and family stories that teach moral lessons and preserve cultural memory.

Next Session: Full Moon, March 25, 2024

Elder Counseling

One-on-one counseling sessions with Nana Bentuma for diaspora members navigating cultural reconnection, spiritual questions, or personal challenges related to identity and heritage.

Availability: By appointment only

Virtual Wisdom Sessions

Monthly live-streamed sessions where Nana answers questions from the global diaspora community, shares teachings, and offers guidance on living in alignment with African cultural values.

Next Live: April 10, 2024, 2 PM GMT

Publications & Recordings

Echoes of Ancestors

Published: 2020 Audio Collection

A 12-hour audio collection of Nana Bentuma's storytelling sessions, preserving oral histories, folk tales, and traditional wisdom for future generations.

Proverbs of the Elders

Published: 2022 Book, 240 pages

A comprehensive collection of 500 Akan proverbs with explanations, cultural context, and modern applications compiled and explained by Nana Bentuma.

Rituals of Return

Published: 2023 Instructional Guide

Step-by-step guide to traditional ceremonies for diaspora reconnection, including libation pouring, naming ceremonies, and ancestral remembrance rituals.

Supporting Elder Wisdom

The preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge is vital for cultural continuity. Your support helps ensure that elder wisdom like Nana Bentuma's is preserved for future generations:

  • Documentation Projects: Recording oral histories and traditional knowledge
  • Elder Support: Ensuring traditional elders have resources to continue their work
  • Youth Apprenticeships: Training young people in traditional knowledge systems
  • Digital Archiving: Creating accessible digital repositories of cultural knowledge
Back to Home

IVAS implements a comprehensive portfolio of programs designed to reconnect the African diaspora with ancestral heritage, preserve cultural traditions, and build sustainable bridges between diaspora communities and the African continent. Our work spans education, cultural preservation, spiritual healing, and community development.

Our Theory of Change

We believe that cultural reconnection heals historical trauma, strengthens identity, and empowers diaspora communities to contribute meaningfully to both their adopted countries and ancestral homelands. By addressing the root causes of cultural dislocation, we foster healing that spans generations.

Core Program Areas

Return Journeys

Facilitated trips to Ghana for diaspora members to reconnect with ancestral lands, participate in healing ceremonies, and engage with local communities.

Participants (2023): 312
Satisfaction Rate: 98%

Cultural Education

Workshops, courses, and resources teaching African history, languages, traditions, and contemporary cultural practices to diaspora communities worldwide.

Programs (2023): 48
Participants: 2,150

Spiritual Healing

Traditional ceremonies, counseling, and rituals addressing the intergenerational trauma of displacement and fostering spiritual reconnection with ancestral traditions.

Ceremonies (2023): 86
Counseling Sessions: 420

Community Development

Projects in Ghanaian communities that host diaspora returnees, including infrastructure, education, and economic development initiatives that benefit both locals and returnees.

Projects (2023): 12
Communities Served: 8

Genealogy & Research

Assisting diaspora members in tracing ancestral lineages, documenting family histories, and reconnecting with specific communities and families in Ghana.

Cases (2023): 156
Success Rate: 73%

Diaspora Networking

Building connections between diaspora communities worldwide, facilitating collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective action on issues affecting people of African descent.

Network Members: 5,200+
Countries Represented: 32

2023 Impact Highlights

312
Return Journey Participants
42
Enstoolments Completed
8
Community Projects
156
Genealogy Cases
2,150
Education Participants

Program Testimonials

"The return journey changed my life. For the first time, I felt I belonged somewhere. The ceremonies healed wounds I didn't even know I had."
Keisha Johnson
Return Journey Participant, 2023
"Through IVAS genealogy services, I discovered my family's exact village in Ghana. The reunion with distant cousins was the most emotional moment of my life."
Marcus Thompson
Genealogy Client, 2022
"As a development chief installed through IVAS, I've been able to bring clean water and education to my community. This work gives meaning to my family's journey."
Nana Kwame Ababio I
Enstooled Development Chief, 2021

Upcoming Program Calendar

Gateway Return Journey
Open
March 15-24, 2024
Cape Coast, Ghana
Cultural Education Workshop
Online
April 10, 2024
Virtual Event
Genealogy Research Seminar
Open
May 5, 2024
Atlanta, GA, USA

Get Involved

There are many ways to participate in IVAS programs and contribute to our mission of diaspora reconnection and cultural preservation:

Join a Journey

Experience transformative return to ancestral lands

Take a Course

Learn about African history, culture, and traditions

Trace Your Roots

Discover your ancestral lineage and family history

Volunteer

Contribute your skills to support our programs

Back to Home

The Writings section features publications, research papers, articles, and thought leadership pieces produced by IVAS staff, partners, and community members. These works explore themes of diaspora reconnection, cultural preservation, historical memory, and Pan-African solidarity from academic, personal, and community perspectives.

Knowledge Production

We believe that documenting diaspora experiences, preserving oral histories, and producing scholarly research are essential components of cultural preservation and intellectual decolonization. Our publications contribute to the growing body of knowledge about African diaspora reconnection.

Featured Publications

Legacy Is Forever: Our Story

Published: 2023 Book, 320 pages

The comprehensive history of IVAS, documenting 15 years of diaspora reconnection work, featuring personal narratives, program histories, and photographic documentation.

Return to Source: Diaspora Journeys Home

Published: 2022 Anthology, 280 pages

A collection of personal essays, poetry, and reflections from 42 diaspora members who participated in IVAS return journeys between 2015-2021.

Sankofa Today: Reclaiming African Heritage

Published: 2021 Academic Journal

Peer-reviewed journal featuring scholarly articles on diaspora studies, cultural preservation, and contemporary applications of traditional African knowledge systems.

Research Papers & Reports

Psychological Impact of Return Journeys

A 2-year longitudinal study examining the mental health and identity outcomes for 150 diaspora participants in IVAS return programs.

Dr. Abena Ofori-Ansah, 2023

Economic Impact of Diaspora Returnees

Analysis of investment, employment, and development contributions made by diaspora members who have resettled in Ghana through IVAS programs.

University of Cape Coast, 2022

Cultural Preservation Methodologies

Documentation of IVAS approaches to preserving oral histories, traditional knowledge, and cultural practices in diaspora communities.

Nana Bentuma et al., 2023

Community Voices

IVAS Blog

Regular articles, personal stories, and updates from the IVAS community featuring diverse perspectives on diaspora reconnection and cultural preservation.

Finding My Family After 200 Years
Keisha Johnson | March 10, 2024
What Sankofa Means to Me
Marcus Thompson | February 28, 2024

Legacy Podcast

Monthly podcast featuring interviews with diaspora returnees, cultural experts, historians, and community leaders discussing topics related to African heritage and reconnection.

Episode 42: Healing Through Return
With Dr. Sheila Walker | March 5, 2024
Episode 41: The Language of Our Ancestors
With Prof. Kofi Agyekum | February 20, 2024

Monthly Newsletter

"The Reconnection" newsletter features program updates, community announcements, historical highlights, and cultural resources for the global IVAS community.

March 2024 Edition
Featuring: 2024 Journey Calendar, New Research, Community Spotlight
February 2024 Edition
Black History Month Special: Diaspora Contributions

Submission Guidelines

IVAS welcomes submissions from community members, scholars, and writers interested in contributing to our publications. We accept:

Personal Essays

  • 800-2,000 words
  • Diaspora reconnection experiences
  • Cultural identity reflections
  • Family history narratives

Academic Papers

  • 3,000-8,000 words
  • Proper citations required
  • Peer-reviewed process
  • Diaspora studies focus

Creative Works

  • Poetry: up to 3 poems
  • Short stories: up to 3,000 words
  • Photography essays
  • Art with cultural themes

Submission Process: Send your work to writings@ivaslegacy.org with a brief author bio and statement about your work. Allow 4-6 weeks for review.

Compensation: Accepted contributors receive honorarium and complimentary copies of publications.

IVAS Library & Archive

Our physical library at the Cape Coast Cultural Center houses over 5,000 volumes on African history, diaspora studies, cultural preservation, and related topics. The archive contains oral history recordings, genealogical records, and historical documents related to diaspora reconnection.

  • Location: IVAS Cultural Center, Cape Coast, Ghana
  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Access: Open to researchers, students, and community members
  • Digital Archive: Selected materials available online (coming 2024)
Back to Home