Africans in Diaspora Appeal to government

Bolgatanga, Aug. 19, GNA - Africans in the Diaspora on Tuesday appealed to Government to make investment policies flexible to enable them to invest in Ghana.

They made the appeal at an official opening of a five-day exhibition of made in Africa Products in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region. The exhibition, organized by Star Black Foundation International (SBFI), a Youth Oriented Pan African Organization, was to showcase the potentials of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions to attract investors.

It was also to provide an appropriate avenue for Africans in the Diaspora to easily trace their roots and to invest in Ghana. Mr Jomo Hutaa and Dr Kwesi Amoah, founder and President of SBFI respectively stated that many Africans in the Diaspora were yearning to return home to invest but the investment policies which were too stringent, were preventing them from doing so. They appealed to government to make the business environment suitable, so as to attract Africans in the Diaspora to invest in Ghana and thereby generate more employment for the people. Ms Akua Asantewaah, Vice President of SBFI, asked Africans to patronize the made in Africa products, saying made in Africa goods were the best for human consumption.

She indicated that most of the products made in the European Countries were harmful for human consumption and asked Africans not to allow foreign goods to be damped in their countries. Mr Alhassan Samari, Regional Minister, whose speech was read for him by Mr Samuel N'lary, Chief Director, Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, commended the organizers and said their work would complement Government's effort in creating jobs for the people. He said the region abounded with a lot of potentials and talents, and when tapped properly could move the area forward.

He said that the culture of the people in the area was so unique, citing the basket and smock weaving, which have now become an important local industry and primary source of income to most people in the Region.

The Minister assured Africans in the Diaspora who would want to invest in Ghana, that Government was ever prepared to support them and urged them to come back home and invest in Ghana.