Ghana Diaspora in Motion

Ghanaians abroad want to use migration and development concept to justify the importance of the Ghanaian Diaspora by pledging support to the economic growth of Ghana, because they care about Ghana.

On Saturday 10th.January 2015 edition of the Abrokyire Nkommo, the Ghana Diaspora Fund (GDF) was introduced to all Ghanaians world-wide. Abrokyire Nkommo, is hosted by the Ghana International Radio Network comprising of Asempa FM in Ghana, Kanawu Radio in Rotterdam, Ghanatta radio in The Hague, Radio Akwaaba FM in Germany, Amansan FM in UK and Hilife Radio in the USA. The program was resourced by the GDF founding members based in France, The Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, USA and Canada.

Ghana Diaspora Fund (GDF) is a collective, non-governmental, non-tribal, non-political and non-religious initiative formed by Ghanaians abroad to promote growth and development in Ghana. This transformational innovative organisation of Ghanaians in the diaspora aims to pull their resources of finance and human capital together towards the development of Ghana. GDF’s approach involves the development, implementation, operation and management of a collective innovative fund known as the “Ghana Diaspora Fund (GDF)”. The motto of GDF: ‘‘We Care About Ghana’’ says a lot about the vision and good intention of its founding members across the globe.

Mr. Martin Peprah Asiamah the president of the fund, based in Switzerland, explained that GDF is going to be launched in Paris, on 30th -31st January 2015 and the main objective is to inform all Ghanaians about GDF strategic plans, targeted projects and the role that Ghanaians in the diaspora can play to impact development of Ghana. GDF will act effectively as a platform to connect the financial, intellectual, and human capital of Ghanaians in the Diaspora and channel them into strategic philanthropic and social investment to fill the development gap of the country of origin, Ghana, he said.

Mr. Samuel Guane Ackah, the vice-president based in Holland confirmed that the mode of GDF operations is guided by key priorities of the 3G principles model:

Ghana Diaspora Fund – social investment projects which stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation. . Ghana Green Cross – Non-profit initiatives to support poverty reduction and community development Ghana Diaspora Professionals – Facilitating knowledge and skills transfer to Ghana through Diaspora Experts to impact SMEs and local institutions.

Mr.Fred Larbi who was at the Asempa studios also explained that GDF aims to mobilize Ghanaian Diasporas to support the three main strategic objectives. All funds that will be sourced within the fund will be utilised to implement valuable projects in Ghana to support Ghana’s social economic development. The huge unemployment in Ghana, including shortage of electricity, poor infrastructures from roads, healthcare, water systems, lack of micro and macro industrialisation within Ghana are the major concern and they aim to boost economic growth with higher employment in the coming years.

The moderators, Mr. Kwaku Amankwaa of Asempa and Mr. Edward Wireko of Kanawu radio challenged the founding members to show how the magnitude of funds could be raised, and the founding members explained that sources of funding will mainly be derived from Ghanaians in the Diaspora on monthly contribution into the fund. So they called all Ghanaians in the Diaspora to join GDF because the membership provides other special incentives.

GDF is asking every Ghanaian in the Diaspora who care about Ghana and has expertise in project development and management, fund raising, marketing and investment and business innovations to join GDF and one can become a member on www.ghanadf.com.

By

Onuapa Francis Owusu Preprah

Radio Akwaab FM and its Affiliates