Government hints at introduction of diaspora national service

Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere-Darko has announced the government’s plans to initiate Diaspora National Service with the intension of strengthening connections with Ghanaians living abroad.

According to him the initiative is also aimed at tapping into the experiences of diaspora students to help in national development.

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Speaking at the maiden Ghana Diaspora Students Forum in a social media post sighted by GhanaWeb on July 14, 2026, he said, “We intend to have what we want to call Diaspora National Service, and it's actually not meant for people like you, but people who grew up abroad and getting ready, to go into university”.

Okyere-Darko explained that the motive behind the initiative is not to persuade every diaspora student to return home immediately after graduation but rather contribute to the development of the country wherever they are.

“Our objective is not to persuade every Ghanaian student to retire immediately after graduation. That would neither be practical nor very necessary. Our objective is to ensure that wherever you find yourselves, Ghana remains part of your professional journey.

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He mentioned that Ghanaian students graduate each year from top universities across the world, conduct research, develop new technologies and contribute to advanced industries hence it is important for the government to create avenues through which this expertise can benefit the country despite the location of these professionals.

“Every year, Ghanaian students graduate from some of the world's leading universities, do public research, develop new technologies, participate in advanced industries, and contribute to cutting-edge innovation. Our responsibility as a government is to create stronger channels through which expertise can benefit Ghana, regardless of where those individuals live. The countries that succeed over the next generation will be those that know where their skilled citizens are, remain connected to them, and also create opportunities of continuous engagement,” he stated.

The programme according to Director of Diaspora Affairs will target young people of Ghanaian decent raised abroad and they would be allowed to spend two months in Ghana before entering the university, that, will help them connect with the country’s culture, institutions and way of life.

“It's not really sort of the age practice, but somehow come back home to Ghana and be re-immersed in or reintegrated into the Ghanaian society or the Ghanaian system for maybe two months and then they go back. I think it would be a very good way of also getting them in touch now with our country,” he said.

He noted that, someone’s location should not be a limitation for contributing your quota towards the development of the country.

“You can contribute to Ghana without permanently relocating,” he said.

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The Government of Ghana is set to introduce a Diaspora National Service programme aimed at reconnecting young Ghanaians born and raised abroad with their roots while encouraging them to contribute to the country's development.

Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the… pic.twitter.com/dgUjhuTiea

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) July 14, 2026

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