By Iddi Yire, GNA Special Correspondent in London
London, June 1, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday hailed the contributions of Ghanaians living in the diaspora towards Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Speaking during a Town Hall Meeting in London with diaspora Ghanaians living in the United Kingdom on day two of his five-day high level visit to the UK, he noted that the diaspora was the 17th region of Ghana.
“We have 16 physical regions in Ghana, but we have one virtual region which is our diaspora abroad.”
He said it was obvious that the diaspora plays a critical role in Ghana’s socioeconomic development; declaring that their remittances had reached the highest ever, above $7.8 billion actually last year.
“And I mean, I dare say that probably that is much larger than, you know, many regions are contributing to the GDP in Ghana. So you deserve your position as a 17th region of Ghana.” He stated
President Mahama said as part of the ongoing Constitutional Review process, they currently had a legislation before Parliament to review the 1992 constitution to allow Ghanaians in the diaspora who hold other passports or dual passports to be able to participate in the nation’s politics at parliamentary and ministerial levels.
“And I privately call it the Gyakye Quayson Law because of the tribulations this man went through. He almost ended up in jail, but I was confident that it wasn’t going to happen because I knew we were going to win the election and he again, his freedom,” he said.
Councillor Dawn Barnes, the Mayor of Haringey, lauded the contributions of Ghanaians to the development of the UK, citing their roles in the health sector as nurses.
GNA
