One-stop shop for Diasporans, says Osei-Ameyaw

The government of Ghana has set up a one-stop shop in the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations to handle all issues that involve and affect Ghanaians resident overseas.

This was revealed by the Deputy Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, when he addressed the Ghanaian community in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday night.

Mr Osei-Ameyaw said the government was determined to involve all Ghanaians, no matter where they lived, in the administration and development of the nation.

?Never again will you be treated as second class citizens in your own country?, he added. The minister said the government is developing strategies to tap the talent, skill and experience of the many Ghanaian professionals in the development of their homeland.

?After the cocoa and mining industries, your remittances to loved ones at home and other funds you send to Ghana for other businesses are the third most important source of foreign exchange earner for the country.

?We recognise this huge contribution, and it is the more reason why the government is determined to ensure that you get the recognition you deserve?, Mr Osei-Ameyaw said.

He said the one-stop shop in his ministry would assist Ghanaians overseas to realise their dreams ? owning a home or a business. The office will also help in offering business advice and even help in the registration of businesses for Ghanaians resident overseas.

The minister, on the Australian leg of visits to diasporan Ghanaians, also revealed that the government is in the process of establishing reciprocal pension schemes with countries that have a relatively large number of expatriate Ghanaians.

Under the scheme, Ghanaians who had lived and worked overseas for some years could move to Ghana on retirement and still had their pensions or superannuations paid them regularly.

He said Ghana was doing very well, attributing the advances chalked in the past few years to good governance and the peace that prevailed across the country.

?Ghanaians vote for a new president and a new parliament later this year, but rest assured that there would not witness the political crises in Kenya and Zimbabwe when the time comes?, Mr Osei-Ameyaw added.

He said a website would soon be ready to gather suggestions and ideas from diasporans and to foster interaction between his ministry and Ghanaians in foreign lands.

Earlier, Ghana?s High Commissioner to Australia, Mr Kofi Sakyiamah, entreated Ghanaians living outside the country to ?export? their expertise, talents and experience back home. He urged Ghanaians in the diaspora to seize the opportunity offered by the new Ministry of Diasporan Relations.

?Now, you have a whole government agency to intercede on your behalf or be your facilitator in Ghana. Test it?, Mr Sakyiamah challenged Ghanaians.