Alban Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, has urged the Ewe diaspora to move beyond sending remittances to Ghana and use its extensive cultural and social networks to create sustainable wealth, businesses and employment opportunities in the country.
He said diaspora networks could serve as a bridge between Ghana and investors, universities, healthcare institutions, technology companies and development partners to support economic development and improve livelihoods.
“You have shown that culture should not only bring people together to celebrate. It can also bring people together to develop,” Mr. Bagbin said.
The Speaker made the call as Special Guest of Honour at celebrations marking the 33rd anniversary of the Council of Ewe Associations of North America (CEANA) in Washington, DC.
He commended CEANA for its contributions to Ghana since its establishment in 1993, particularly its support for education, healthcare and community development.
He noted that the association had provided scholarships and supported the construction of schools, libraries and other community facilities.
Mr. Bagbin, however, challenged the organisation to deliberately connect its diaspora network to investment and development opportunities in Ghana.
He said the network could be used to facilitate partnerships in critical sectors, including agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and enterprise.
According to him, the Ewe diaspora had demonstrated the power of cultural networks to unite people and should now leverage that strength to promote economic development.
The Member of the Council of State representing the Volta Region, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, supported the call, urging the Ewe diaspora to translate its connection to Ghana into measurable and transformative contributions.
He called for greater unity among traditional, political and community leaders, saying the development potential of the Volta Region could only be realised through collective action.
Mr. Kwamigah-Atokple said young people in the region needed jobs, mentorship, access to markets, technology and functioning institutions rather than repeated assurances about the region’s potential.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Asiama, also urged Ghanaians abroad to channel remittances into productive investments, citing US$7.8 billion in remittances recorded in 2025.
He said the remittances could be converted into long-term capital for businesses, agriculture, technology and other productive sectors.
“Stability is not the destination; it is the foundation,” Dr. Asiama said, arguing that Ghana’s recent economic stabilisation had created a stronger basis for diaspora investment.
He highlighted the formalisation of International Money Transfer Operators, the Remit2Invest strategy and the Diaspora Engagement and Remittance Facilitation Office as mechanisms to support structured diaspora investment and channel remittances towards long-term wealth creation.
By Ernest Kofi Adu