Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House (“The Year of Return”: Ghana)

This week, Speaker Pelosi and Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) traveled to Ghana on the “Year of Return,” observing 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia and the start of the Transatlantic slave trade. They visited the Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, where they walked through the “Door of No Return.” The delegation also held high-level meetings with Ghanaian government officials, met with tribal Paramount Chiefs and visited with young people and representatives of civil society organizations.

Take a look at this historic week:

Accra

In the capital city, Speaker Pelosi gave an historic address to the Ghanaian Parliament. She and Members of the Congressional delegation met with Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo, senior cabinet officials, Speaker Oquaye, Members of Parliament and civil society and business leaders. The delegation also laid wreaths in memory of Ghana’s first Prime Minister and President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and African-American civil rights leader W.E.B DuBois.

Speaker Pelosi at Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s mausoleum. July 29, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Speaker Pelosi and President Nana Akufo-Addo leaving Jubilee House after their meeting, which included Members of the Congressional delegation and senior Ghanaian cabinet officials. July 29, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

On Wednesday, Speaker Pelosi addressed the Ghanaian Parliament, making her the first U.S. Speaker of the House in history to do so. July 31, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Speaker Pelosi, Ghanaian Speaker Aaron Michael Oquaye and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie Sullivan pose with the U.S Congressional delegation and Ghanaian Parliament leadership. July 31, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Majority Whip James Clyburn laying a rose on the tomb of African-American civil rights leader W.E.B DuBois. July 31, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Cape Coast

In Cape Coast, the delegation met with tribal Chiefs and visited the slave dungeons at Elmina and Cape Coast Castles where, in remembrance of the millions who lost their lives and freedom in the Transatlantic slave trade, they walked through the “Door of No Return” and reentered through the “Door of Return” with a new sense of purpose to confront injustice and oppression.

Elmina Castle:

Dancers and musicians welcoming the Congressional delegation to Elmina Castle. July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

The Congressional delegation and the Paramount Chiefs posing for a photo after the wreath-laying ceremony at Elmina Castle. July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Speaker Pelosi and the Congressional delegation in one of the dungeons observing the markings on the walls made by enslaved people at Elmina Castle. July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Speaker Pelosi and Members of the Congressional delegation looking through the “Door of No Return” at Elmina Castle during a ceremony in remembrance of the people enslaved during the Transatlantic slave trade. July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Civil rights champion, Congressman John Lewis, took a moment of silence in memory of the enslaved Africans who once passed through the “Door of No Return” at Elmina Castle July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Cape Coast Castle: “Door of No Return”

The Congressional delegation standing outside the “Door of Return” moments before the reentering ceremony. July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar reentering through the “Door of Return” with Speaker Pelosi. July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Congressman John Lewis and Speaker Pelosi moments before reentering through the “Door of Return.” July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

Congressional delegation and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie Sullivan in front of the “Door of Return”. July 30, 2019 (Photo by Julio Obscura)

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