Ghanaian Diaspora Urged to Lead Bold Trade Reforms at Africa-Caribbean Expo in Accra

At the opening of the Africa-Caribbean Business Trade Expo in Accra, Ghana’s Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere Darko, called on African and Caribbean policymakers and especially the Ghanaian diaspora to champion bold reforms aimed at dismantling trade barriers and driving economic integration.

Addressing a full auditorium at the Labadi Beach Hotel on April 22, 2025, Mr. Okyere Darko emphasized the need for innovative policies that ease the movement of goods, services, and people. “The time for talking is over. This is the time for action,” he said, urging leaders to harmonize policies, digitize systems, and align trade infrastructure to empower diaspora-led enterprises.

The two-day event, organized by the Bahamas-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, AfCFTA Policy Network, and AfCFTA Trading Limited, brings together business leaders, government officials, and investors from across Africa and the Caribbean. The Expo aims to unlock market opportunities and strengthen diaspora economic ties under the AfCFTA framework.

Highlighting recent World Bank data showing over $53 billion in remittances to Africa, Mr. Okyere Darko stressed that the Ghanaian diaspora contributes not just capital, but also global networks and innovation. “The diaspora holds a key to Africa’s future,” he said, calling on governments to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and create enabling environments for diaspora businesses to thrive.

He underscored Ghana’s leadership role as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat and aligned his message with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of economic transformation through entrepreneurship and SME empowerment.

Applauding the Expo’s focus on SMEs, youth startups, and women entrepreneurs, Mr. Okyere Darko concluded: “Let this Expo be your launchpad. Connect. Collaborate. Build.”

The Expo continues on April 23 with sessions on export readiness, financial inclusion, logistics, branding, and diaspora investment strategies.