Accra, July 1, GNA-There is growing optimism among the diaspora community as the Office of Diaspora Affairs at the Presidency moves closer to formalizing a partnership with NuGhana Expat Center to establish a Diaspora Protection and Human Capital Taskforce.
According to documents made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the Diaspora Affairs Office recently engaged NuGhana Expat Center in productive discussions aimed at addressing the growing concerns of diasporans regarding safety, scams, and exploitation.
During the meeting, the Office requested a detailed submission from NuGhana outlining the full assistance needed to operationalize the proposed taskforce framework.
The engagement brought together a high-level delegation led by the Executive Director of NuGhana International Expat Center, Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, alongside diaspora community representative Yaw Owusu Akyeaw. Also present were executives of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), including Executive Director Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, Chairman of the Cultural and Media Center Mr. Harold Roger Quartey, Advisory Board Member Mr. Fred Nii Amugi, and Africa Image Ambassador Mawuko Kuadzi.
The Diaspora Affairs Office was represented by its Director, Kofi Okyere Darko, popularly known as KOD, and his assistant.
According to the release copied to the GNA, the Diaspora Affairs Office requested a detailed letter from NuGhana outlining the specific assistance needed to execute the proposed framework. NuGhana has since submitted the comprehensive letter, and stakeholders are hopeful that formal endorsement and collaboration will follow soon.
The Executive Council of the African Chamber of Content Producers, acting in accordance with its mandate to safeguard Africa’s image and shape constructive narratives about the continent, has been working closely with NuGhana to develop a holistic and comprehensive long-term solution to the challenges facing diasporans. The Chamber envisions that the framework being developed could serve as a replicable model for other African countries facing similar diaspora integration and protection challenges.
Beyond the taskforce proposal, the discussions also covered other critical solutions, including educational programmes to prepare both diasporans and local communities for integration, investment protection strategies to safeguard the assets of returning diasporans, and the development of a comprehensive diaspora database platform that can be utilized positively by the state for planning and engagement purposes.
Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, Executive Director of NuGhana Expat Center, told the GNA:“We are very encouraged by the Diaspora Affairs Office’s willingness to engage and their clear interest in protecting diasporans. Their request for a detailed submission shows they are taking this matter seriously. We have submitted the letter as requested, and we are confident that the Office will act swiftly to formalize this partnership. We stand ready to provide any additional support needed.”
The proposed Diaspora Protection and Human Capital Taskforce seeks to create a coordinated multi-agency apparatus involving the Bureau of National Intelligence, Ministry of Interior, Office of National Security, Ghana Immigration Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of Diaspora Affairs.
The framework would provide structured protection for diasporans, early-warning intelligence on scams, and a clear channel for redress when incidents occur.
Diasporans who have long advocated stronger protection mechanisms have expressed hope that the Diaspora Affairs Office will lead the charge.
One diasporan, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We are hopeful. The Diaspora Affairs Office has shown that they are listening and willing to work with NuGhana to address our concerns. We look forward to seeing the taskforce become a reality.”
Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, President of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), who has been involved in diaspora advocacy, told the GNA: “The Diaspora Affairs Office is taking the right steps. Engaging with NuGhana and requesting a detailed framework demonstrates a genuine commitment to protecting diasporans. We are optimistic that this partnership will yield tangible results. The discussions on educational programmes, investment protection, and the diaspora database platform show that we are moving toward a comprehensive solution. The Chamber remains committed to its mandate of safeguarding Africa’s image, and we believe this framework, once developed, can be replicated across the continent to ensure that diasporans are protected wherever they choose to return.”
The proposed taskforce has already been submitted to President John Dramani Mahama and copied to key security and diaspora engagement agencies.
Stakeholders believe that formalization of the partnership with the Diaspora Affairs Office will be a significant step toward ensuring Ghana fulfilled its promise to protect and engage diasporans.
NuGhana has reiterated its readiness to work closely with the Diaspora Affairs Office and provide all necessary technical inputs to ensure the taskforce becomes operational.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba