Ghana is set to host relevant stakeholders on a platform to generate ideas and share strategies that would encourage its citizens living outside of the country get involved in its development and progress.
The 2019 edition of the Ghana Diaspora Homecoming Summit in wake of this, was launched Tuesday, 30th April at the Marriot Hotel.
Dubbed “Recognizing Diaspora Contribution to the Nation Building” the summit is expected to bring together Ghanaians living in and around the world at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) from 3rd to 6th of July, 2019.
Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Diasopra Homecoming Summit 2019, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah indicated that the value of the diasporan community is immeasurable. He hinted that contributions of the diasporans are used to create jobs and income as well as helps improve the quality of lives in Ghana.
“The potential value of the diasporan community to the local economy is also immeasurable. The World Bank in 2012 estimated diasporan remittance to Africa only, to be around 16 million US dollars and the potential contribution of the diaspora to the continent development goal goes far beyond these personal remittances. This contribution could range from technical expertise in key sectors, collective remittances that fund philanthropic activities as well as direct investments into businesses and projects and that creates jobs and income and helps improves the quality of lives of our people.”
Mr Oppong Nkrumah however, encouraged diasporans to endeavor to participate in this year’s summit so good ideas will be shared as to effective ways to make Ghana attractive enough for Ghanaians living abroad to come back and contribute their quota for development.
“The Ghanaian diaspora is not just limited to Europe or the Americas or some part of Asia… you need to let the word go out very far globally so that our people wherever they are find reason to join us in this 2019 summit and contribute their ideas and suggestions and also find the expression and how they can come back home.
I want to encourage my brothers and sisters out there to cease the opportunity that technology affords us and to use it as a powerful tool in exploring various ways by which they can also contribute to the Ghana growth agenda.” He said.
This summit follows president Akufo-Addo’s mandate to include Ghanaians living abroad in the development of the country.
The four-day program will see key speakers from different sectors of the economy deliberate with stakeholders on pressing issues facing Ghanaian diasporans.
Speakers including President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, Vice president Muhammad Bawumia and some appointed Ministers will represent at the program.
