Speed up work on diaspora development policy – Oppong Nkrumah

The Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has charged the Office of Diaspora Affairs to speed up work on the diaspora development policy document aimed at targeting more Ghanaians living abroad.

He said the policy, once introduced, will attract and encourage Ghanaians in the diaspora to bring their technical skills, money and investment opportunities back home to spur growth and development.

Mr Nkrumah said this in his keynote address at the 2019 global media launch of the Ghana Diaspora Celebrations and Homecoming Summit in Accra on the theme: “Recognising diaspora contributions towards nation-building.”

Mr Nkrumah praised the immense contributions of the diaspora community to Ghana’s growth and said the Akufo-Addo government acknowledges the role they can play in helping to stimulate the development agenda.

“The potential value of the diaspora community to the local economy is immeasurable and helps the President’s Ghana Beyond Aid vision”, Mr Nkrumah said.

The Ofoase Ayirebi legislator added that many ideas and feedback from the diaspora homecoming summits have been put into good use. For example, he said, the extension of the duration of passports from five to 10 years and the recent measures by the government to reduce port charges.

He also encouraged the diaspora community to explore how to use technology to impact the growth agenda back home.

Mr Nkrumah appealed to the diasporans to spread the news globally about the upcoming summit, which will take place in July this year.