Akwasi Awuah Ababio
Government has announced that Ghana’s draft diaspora engagement policy is now available for input by stakeholders ahead of this year’s Diaspora Celebration & Homecoming Summit in July.
The policy document is aimed at targeting and encouraging more Ghanaians in the diaspora to bring their technical skills, money and investment opportunities back home to complement growth and development.
Addressing journalists in Accra yesterday, the Director of Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President, Akwasi Awuah Ababio, said the document will be made available to participants at the summit.
“This policy document covers all aspects and concerns by diasporas and would become the guiding principle and the policy with which every government would work with, relative to the diasporan affiliated to Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Awuah Ababio added that the government of President Akufo-Addo recognises the contributions of the Ghanaian diaspora and has charged the Diaspora Affairs Office with the responsibility of institutionalising the Ghana Diaspora Celebration & Homecoming Summit, which has now become a biennial event.
He disclosed that this year’s summit will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) from July 3 to July 6, 2019, and is specially designed to recognise and celebrate the immense contributions to nation building by Ghanaian citizens or nationals overseas, as well as non-Ghanaians with roots to or a strong vested interest in the country.
“We are expecting delegates from over 50 countries to attend the three-day summit who can further aid Ghana’s socio-economic development, maintain its position as a leader on the African continent and network with like-minded people,” he added.
Mr. Awuah Ababio said various committees and sub-committees from various countries will hold stakeholder meetings and organise road shows together to detail the objectives of the summit and the role every person with Ghanaian connection can play in the development of Ghana.
These road shows were organised in Belgium, Canada, UK, USA and many other countries.
The Ghana Diaspora Homecoming Summit will be crowned with a gala on July 6.
By Melvin Tarlue