Advertisement
Desktop970x250
3News
Advertisement
Desktop970x250

New York City Mayor-elect shrugs off Omicron ‘threat’ to travel to Ghana for ‘spiritual cleansing’

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh
SHARE
2 min read
New York City Mayor-elect shrugs off Omicron ‘threat’ to travel to Ghana for ‘spiritual cleansing’

Eric Adams will officially start duty on 1 Jan., 2022

Newly elected Mayor of New York City Eric Leroy Adams has said nothing will stop his “spiritual journey” to Ghana before officially assuming his role as “mayor of one of the important cities”.

Threats of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Africa caused many to question his decision to visit the continent at this time.

The variant is yet to be recorded in the US but flights from some eight southern African countries, where the variant has been detected, have been banned. US citizens have also been asked not to visit those countries.

It is against this background that questions have been raised about Mr Adams’s trip to Africa. Some have described his decision to visit Ghana at this time as “irresponsible”.

But he remains resolute.

“I’m not afraid of anything. I’m an ex-cop. I’m ready to lead my city,” he told journalists before his scheduled departure to Accra on Monday, November 29.

The 18th borough president of Brooklyn insists the Ghana trip is to fulfill a long-planned pledge of visiting the West African nation to mark the 400th anniversary of slavery in the US.

“This is a spiritual journey for me. My ancestors came over here in the bottom of slave ships, and 400 years later, I’m the mayor of one of the most important cities, the city of New York. I’m going there to pray. I’m going there to do some spiritual cleansing.”

Mr Adams officially takes up the role on Saturday, January 1, 2022 and will become only the second Black mayor in the city’s history.

He said just like former US President Barack Obama visited Ghana in the early days of his presidency, he is doing same.

“The people of Ghana — just like Obama when he ran for president — they’re waiting for me to go. I’m making a connection with my ancestry.”

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|editors.3news.com|Ghana

Sign up to The Daily Briefing

Stay informed with the most relevant stories shaping Ghana and the world, every morning and evening.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Share This Article

Emmanuel Kwame Amoh is an Online Editor with the current affairs team at Media General, operators of TV3 Ghana, editors.3news.com and more. Email: emmanuel.amoh@editors.3news.com

Advertisement
Desktop300x250

Up Next

Advertisement
Desktop970x250