Diaspora Engagement Pivotal to Ghana’s Economic and Social Reset, Vice President Says

Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has highlighted the African diaspora as central to the country’s economic recovery, historical justice, and long-term transformation agenda. She made the remarks while officially closing the 2025 Diaspora Forum, urging sustained collaboration and actionable partnerships.

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang described the forum as a timely platform that reaffirmed the diaspora’s enduring role in national development through remittances, skills transfer, investment, advocacy, and cultural preservation. She emphasized that the concept of treating the diaspora as Ghana’s “17th region” reflected more than symbolism, it acknowledged their integral place in the country’s growth trajectory.

The Vice President stressed that meaningful progress under the “Reset Ghana” agenda required robust partnerships and government commitment to diaspora-friendly policies. She noted that national initiatives in economic revitalization and agricultural transformation offered tangible entry points for diaspora engagement.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further outlined that macroeconomic stability was gradually returning, with declining inflation, improved reserves, and renewed investor confidence. She called on the diaspora to leverage these gains, contributing to the consolidation of Ghana’s progress.

Reflecting on Ghana’s continental leadership, she highlighted President Mahama’s role as the African Union’s champion for reparations, emphasizing that the country’s commitment to historical justice extended beyond symbolism to practical economic, social, and psychological rebuilding.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described the forum as a watershed moment, laying the groundwork for institutionalized diaspora engagement in national development. He highlighted discussions on legal, regulatory, and structural barriers that had limited diaspora participation and investment, calling for reforms to unlock the full potential of diaspora capital and expertise.

Mr. Ablakwa noted that reparatory justice remained a legal and moral obligation and that Ghana’s pursuit of restitution would complement, not hinder, its international relations. He added that the government would implement an e-visa policy in early 2026, offering special provisions to make travel for diaspora Africans easier and more affordable.

The forum concluded with broad consensus that sustained diaspora collaboration would translate shared historical ties into shared prosperity, further positioning Ghana as a leading voice in Africa’s global engagement.