Kofi Kingston, the Ghanaian-born professional wrestler who is the current World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) champion called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on Thursday.
Born Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah, Mr Kingston, is the first African-born WWE Champion.
President Akufo-Addo told the Ghanaian-American professional wrestler that his arrival in the country had brought a lot of excitement and joy, especially to fans who have followed his professional career progression on television.
He said Mr Kingston’s zeal and determination to excel in his field of endeavor was a motivation to young Ghanaians, adding that his visit to the country would inspire those who also aspired to achieve greatness in their various endeavours.
The President voiced his pride “to see the work that you are doing and the success that you are having”.
“It is a good advertisement for Ghana. So keep it up, you know you have the support of 30 million people here in Ghana,” he said.
Mr Kingston who presented a replica of the championship belt he recently won to the President, was thrilled that he had returned to Ghana after a 26-year sojourn in America.
He was elated on the positives that he had heard about Ghana and the current Government, expressing optimism that his presence in the country would elevate further its image.
Mr. Kingston was full of praise for the President on the “Year of Return” initiative that would bring Africans in the diaspora back home to Ghana, and was happy that his ‘homecoming’ had coincided with the landmark programme.
The “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” is a major landmark marketing campaign targeting the African – American and Diaspora Market to mark 400 years of the first enslaved African arriving in Jamestown Virginia.
“In the United States most of us talk about wanting to go back to Africa but no one has ever invited us to come. So thank you for taking the initiative to invite us here. It makes us feel more welcome,” the WWE Champion said.
“My hope is being the WWE champion is to spread the word and let people know what Ghana is all about because Ghana is great,” he said.
Mr Kingston would be in Ghana for four days.
