Strengthening Ties Through Diaspora-Led Initiatives
The Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Presidency, Kofi Okyere Darko, has emphasized the importance of creating more diaspora-led initiatives to enhance national development and strengthen connections between Ghana and its citizens living abroad. He highlighted that programs targeting the younger generation of Ghanaians, who were born outside the country, should not be temporary efforts but rather ongoing and sustainable projects aimed at driving long-term transformation.
Mr. Darko made these remarks during a visit by members of the Roots to Ghana program and their European-based investors to the Diaspora Affairs Office in Accra. The meeting was held to review the outcomes of the recent initiative and explore potential formal collaborations with the government.
The Roots to Ghana Program: A Bridge Between Ghana and Its Diaspora
Roots to Ghana is an exchange program designed to connect Ghanaian professionals based in Europe with development opportunities in Ghana through short-term skills-sharing placements. The initiative was launched through a partnership involving three key organizations: FORIM, a French-based African diaspora network; CAGEF, the Confederation of Ghanaian Diaspora Associations in Europe; and GIZ Ghana, with significant funding support from the European Union.
This collaboration brought 20 Ghanaian diaspora experts from France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain to Ghana for short-term mission placements between March and June 2025. These participants, most of whom are second- or third-generation Ghanaians, contributed to national development by sharing knowledge and building capacity in various fields such as digital innovation, fashion, cuisine, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
A Timely and Commendable Initiative
Mr. Okyere Darko praised the initiative, calling it timely and commendable. He expressed his support for efforts that involve working closely with young people, stating that the program aligns with the broader goal of encouraging diaspora engagement beyond remittances. Instead, he emphasized the importance of active collaboration, skills transfer, and investment.
He also mentioned that the Diaspora Affairs Office is looking forward to formalizing its relationship with the Roots to Ghana program through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement would provide broader institutional support and ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
Expanding the Reach of the Program
The Project Manager of the Roots to Ghana program, Ms. Millie Antwi, explained that the visit was aimed at seeking strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and technical support to expand the initiative in the coming years. She noted that this was a first-time project that allowed 20 individuals from the European diaspora to return to their motherland and exchange their skills.
Participants stayed between two to four weeks, working in schools and institutions while also learning from their experiences. Ms. Antwi emphasized the mutual benefits of the program, stating that both the participants and their host institutions gained valuable insights.
She added that the team is currently compiling an impact report featuring testimonies from both the diaspora participants and their host institutions. This report will be submitted to the Diaspora Affairs Office as a basis for future collaboration.
A Commitment to Ghana's Development
Ms. Antwi shared her personal connection to Ghana, stating, "We are the children of Ghana. Though we were born and raised in Europe, we still carry our heritage. We want to contribute to Ghana's development not just financially, but with our skills, businesses, and presence."
She also revealed plans to organize a Gold Coast Invest Forum at the end of next year to promote diaspora-led investments. The success of this event will depend on the government's support, which she hopes to secure in the near future.
Looking Ahead
As the Roots to Ghana program continues to grow and evolve, it serves as a model for how diaspora communities can play a vital role in national development. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and investment, such initiatives can create lasting impacts that benefit both Ghana and its global diaspora.