Accra, March 09, GNA – The Ghana Action Forum has engaged Ghanaians living abroad and home on issues affecting sectors of the local economy for rapid socio-economic development.
The two-day conference themed: “Bridging Home and Abroad for Development,” sought to provide opportunities to people in the diaspora through private and public partnership towards boosting Ghana’s economic growth.
Organised by Ahaspora Professional Network, a group of Ghanaian professional returnee’s, the forum discussed topics, including rethinking Ghana’s positioning in the world and ways of promoting good image of the country to the rest of the world to attract investments.
The forum also explored ways of leveraging diaspora’s engagement as means of propelling Ghana’s development.
Speaking at the opening day of the forum, Christabel E. Dadzie, Founder of Ahaspora Professional Network, was confident that the outcome of the forum would encourage many Ghanaian professionals to make the journey back home and also contribute their quota to the country’s development.
“Ahaspora in its programming has always had action at the heart of its events where we engage on social issues and identify ways to support and contribute towards national policies, including Diaspora Engagement Policy and the STEM policy,” she said.
She said they had platforms for discussions on job creation and youth employment.
The Second Lady Hajia Samira Bawumia, who was the Special Guest, commended Ahaspora for efforts at helping find solutions to challenges in the country.
“The Ghanaian Diaspora is considered a key ally and strategic resource by the government of Ghana in her development efforts. In view of this, His Excellency President Akufo-Addo set up the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Presidency to serve as a link between the Diaspora and the government to further deepen their relationship,” she said.
Hajia Bawumia noted that remittances by the Ghanaian Diaspora in 2020 according to a World Bank Mitigation and Development report increased by 5 per cent amid the Coronavirus pandemic stressing the key role Diasporans played in the development of the country.
The Second Lady enumerated other key roles that the Diaspora played with promoting trade, creating business, direct foreign investments and the transfer of new knowledge, all geared towards contributing their quota to the country’s development.
Mr. Akwasi Awua-Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, lauded Ahaspora for the initiative.
GNA