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25th Feb 2021

Stevie Wonder to move to Ghana permanently due to racism in the USA

The Superstitious singer has spoken about a permanent move to Ghana for a long time, citing a better sense of community in west Africa

Reuben Pinder

Wonder said Ghana had a greater sense of community

Legendary musician Stevie Wonder has confirmed he will be moving permanently to Ghana in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Wonder has mentioned his intentions of relocating to Ghana for decades, with the Detroit Free Press first reporting his intentions back in 1974. 20 years later Wonder said Ghana had “more of a sense of community” than the United States.

And now, it seems that worsening levels of racial inequality in the United States has pushed him to finally make the move.

Speaking to Oprah in a clip that gained traction on Twitter over the past  few days, the Superstitious singer said “I wanna see this nation smile again. And I want to see it before I leave to travel to move to Ghana because I’m going to do that.”

Oprah responded: “You’re going to permanently move to Ghana?”

Wonder explained: “I am. I don’t want to see my children’s children’s children have to say, ‘Oh please like me. Please respect me, please know that I am important, please value me.’ What is that?”

On Martin Luther King Day earlier this year, Wonder posted a recorded video message to Twitter, in which he recalled meeting the great man at the age of 14.

“I’ve been blessed to write songs of hope, love and motivation, many of them inspired by your life,” he said.

“More than any award I’ve ever received, I want you to know that I am thankful for how you influenced my place of love, which allowed me to try to push the needle of love and equality forward.

“It is painful to know that needle has not moved one iota. For 36 years, we’ve had a national holiday honouring your birthday and principles, yet you would not believe the lack of progress. It makes me physically sick. I am sick of politicians trying to find an easy solution to a 400-year problem.”

“In your spirit, I call on all those in the Senate to speak truth to what they know they can physically see and begin the steps towards accountability, forgiveness and then healing.”