Draft Diaspora Engagement Policy ready for input by stakeholders

The Director of Diasporan Affairs at the Office of the President, Mr Akwasi Awuah Ababio, has disclosed that ahead of the 2019 homecoming summit, a draft Diaspora Engagement Policy is ready for input by stakeholders. 

The policy document, he said, was aimed at encouraging Ghanaians in the diaspora to bring their technical skills, money and investment opportunities back home to complement growth and development.

At a media briefing in Accra last Monday, Mr Ababio said the document would be made available to participants in this year’s Ghana Diaspora Celebration and Homecoming Summit in July in Accra.

The policy document

“This document will be tabled, outdoored and sealed by delegates attending the summit.

The policy document covers all aspects and concerns by diasporans and will become the guiding principle and the policy that every government will work with relative to diasporans affiliated to Ghana. We encourage all to attend the summit to find out more about what the document entails,” he added.

Mr Awuah Ababio said the government recognised the contributions of Ghanaians in the diaspora and had charged the Diaspora Affairs Office with the responsibility to institutionalise the Ghana Diaspora Celebration and Homecoming Summit which had now become a biennial event.

The summit

He said the homecoming summit would be held at the Accra International Conference Centre from July 3 to 6 this year and had been designed to specifically recognise and celebrate the contributions by Ghanaian citizens or nationals overseas and non-Ghanaians with roots to or a strong vested interest in the country towards nation-building.

“We are expecting delegates from the over 50 countries that will be attending the three-day summit to aid Ghana’s socio-economic development, help maintain its position as a leader on the African continent and network with like-minded people,” he said.

Detailed activities

Mr Ababio explained that the conference would include engagements from the highest office of the land, including keynote addresses by the President, Vice President, Minister of Finance and several ministers of state who would be in attendance.

“The private sector will feature highly, with key players in the sector participating throughout the conference. Panel discussions will be diverse and will include mixed-gender speakers and young professionals,” he said.

Mr Ababio said the conference would showcase several home-grown industries and services, adding that participants in the conference would also take part in validating the policy.