Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has stated that the Government of Ghana is adopting a comprehensive diaspora engagement policy to ensure that the country’s historic ties with its global diaspora community translate into strategic investments and national development.
Speaking at a ceremony in Accra where citizenship was conferred on 150 members of the African diaspora, the Vice President said the policy seeks to harness the economic, cultural and intellectual contributions of people of African descent living abroad.
She acknowledged the critical role of the diaspora in stabilising Ghana’s economy through remittances, investments, entrepreneurship and philanthropy, noting that these contributions have provided fiscal support to Ghana’s economic recovery while increasing disposable incomes for many beneficiary households.
According to her, the government is creating the right avenues to maximise the opportunities presented by the diaspora community, particularly in key sectors such as the economy, education, tourism and entrepreneurship.
“The diaspora generally spends billions of dollars each year to African economies through remittances, investments, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. These contributions support their families, build communities and increase development opportunities. While all this is important, the government of Ghana also believes that the relationship between Ghana and her diaspora must go beyond economics,” she said.
”We are creating pathways for diaspora investment, expanding opportunities for diaspora entrepreneurship, strengthening cultural exchange, supporting diaspora participation in education, innovation, tourism and national development,” the Vice President added.
She explained that the government is therefore expanding pathways for diaspora investment and entrepreneurship while strengthening cultural exchanges and supporting diaspora participation in education, innovation, tourism and national development initiatives.
Remittances remain a major pillar of Ghana’s economic inflows. According to the World Bank, Ghana is the second-largest remittance recipient in Sub-Saharan Africa, with diaspora transfers estimated to account for about six% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, amounting to $4.6 billion in 2024.
Investment inflows from abroad have also played a role in economic growth. Data from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre indicate that 140 projects were registered in 2024 with an estimated investment value of $651.72 million, including $617.61 million in foreign direct investment.
Ghana has also developed several initiatives to deepen engagement with its diaspora community, including flagship programmes such as PANAFEST, Year of Return, Beyond the Return, and the Black Star Experience, all aimed at strengthening cultural ties while promoting tourism and investment.
The government’s broader framework guiding this engagement is the Diaspora Engagement Policy, which provides a structured platform for mobilising the contributions of Ghanaians and people of African descent abroad towards Ghana’s political, social, economic and cultural development.
Source: Diplomatic Times
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