President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo of Ghana has conferred Ghanaian citizenship on the legendary American singer, Stevland Hardaway Morris popularly known as Stevie Wonder.
Wonder officially received the Ghanaian citizenship to enable him to hold dual citizenship of the United States of America and Ghana at a ceremony held at the Jubilee House in Accra.
Akufo-Addo disclosed this on his official X account on Tuesday.
His post read, “In conferring Ghanaian citizenship upon Stevie Wonder, we not only extend our warmest embrace to a beloved son of Africa, but also reaffirm our belief in the enduring spirit of Pan-Africanism and the global African family, and the boundless potential of our continent and all its descendants.”
Also, Ghana’s leader’s website issued a statement about the event, as it stated, “The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has conferred Ghanaian citizenship upon the legendary musician, humanitarian, and global icon, Stevland Hardaway Morris, popularly known as Stevie Wonder.
“This conferment, according to President Akufo-Addo, not only recognises his immense talent and achievements but also acknowledges his deep connection to the African continent and his tireless efforts to promote unity, solidarity, and cultural exchanges among all peoples of African descent.”
During the event, the West African nation’s leader said, “By conferring Ghanaian citizenship upon him, we not only recognize his immense talent and achievements, but also acknowledge his deep connection to the African continent, and his tireless efforts to promote unity, solidarity and cultural exchanges among all peoples of African descent. His decision to become a citizen of Ghana is a testament to his profound respect and admiration for our nation’s history, culture and values”.
While conferring citizenship on him, the president said Stevie Wonder’s name “is synonymous with creativity and the transformative power of music. Throughout his illustrious career, spanning over six decades, he has not only captivated the hearts and minds of millions around the world with his soulful melodies and unparalleled talent, but has also used his platform to champion social justice, equality and human rights” .
Steve Wonder on his part expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian government for the gesture, adding that it was a beginning of a new chapter for him and his family.
Born Stevland Hardaway Morris in Michigan in the United States, Wonder’s musical brilliance manifested early on, establishing him as a true pioneer in the industry.
Among his timeless classics are “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” leaving an indelible mark across multiple music genres.
Since the 74-year-old was discovered by Motown Records in 1961, his influence has been profound, earning him an impressive 25 Grammy Awards and 74 nominations.
