Task force to mobilise assistance for Ghana

LONDON, January 30 -- An eleven-member task force has been set up, under the auspices of the Ghana High Commission in London, to mobilise Ghanaians in the United Kingdom to contribute more positively to the generation of wealth and the general development of their motherland.

The formation of the Task Force follows an appeal by His Excellency President J.A. Kufour in his recent inaugural address to Ghanaians in the diaspora to contribute more meaningfully to the development of the country.

The Task Force was formed at the weekend at a meeting of a cross-section of the Ghanaian community, convened by the Ghana High Commission to discuss the President's inaugural statement and the manifesto of the New Patriotic Party government.

This was contained in a press release from the Ghana High Commission in London. It said following the establishment of the Task Force a database of Ghanaian professionals and businessmen in the UK is to be set up and harnessed for national development.

In his introductory remarks, Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Mr.J.E.K.Aggrey-Orleans, observed that Ghana was going through critical economic times and there was the need to mobilise Ghanaians inside and outside the country to address the situation.

Mr. Aggrey-Orleans therefore emphasised the need to galvanise Ghanaians in the diaspora who have acquired the requisite skills and resources to assist in reversing the economic misfortunes of the country.

The release said the High Commissioner indicated that the Mission would step up its outreach programme to mobilise Ghanaians in the UK to work together irrespective of their political differences towards the betterment of their motherland.

Mr. Aggrey-Orleans appealed to Ghanaian media practitioners in the UK to make a concerted effort to assist in projecting a better image of their country in order to attract investment, adding that any suggestions that would help improve of enhance the Mission's website would be welcome.

The meeting urged the Government to strive to check the brain drain and introduce incentives that would attract Ghanaians in the diaspora back home. It further appealed to the Government to expedite action on the issues of Dual Nationally, make provision for Ghanaians outside the country to vote in national elections and ensure regular training and equipping the police to enhance efficiency, the statement added.