In line with the Ministry’s mandate to integrate the Ghanaian Diaspora into the national development agenda, Mission held a Consultative Meeting with compatriots in the Republic of Angola on 3rd March, 2024. In attendance at the meeting were Ghanaians working in various fields, including the WHO, World Vision, Nestle Angola, Angolan Oil and Gas, Church Institutions, Hairdressing, Herbal Shop, and Farming as well as self-employed individuals in various artisanal businesses.
The meeting afforded the Mission an opportunity to interact with the diaspora community to bring them up to speed on various policies and programmes being implemented by the Government of Ghana for the development of the country. Mission’s focus was to enlighten our compatriots on how they could significantly contribute towards Ghana’s socio-economic development through the various initiatives of the Government.
A compatriot, Dr. Emmanuel Budu-Addo, former Director of Policy at the Cabinet Secretariat and, currently the Director of Administration at the Gulf of Guinea Commission served as the Resource Person. He led the discussions on the Diaspora Engagement Policy of Ghana and briefed the gathering that this landmark policy document sought to promote constructive dialogue between Ghana and its Diaspora among other things. He shed light on the various components of the Policy that were designed to empower and leverage the immense skills and resources of the diaspora community towards national development.
Furthermore, Dr. Budu-Addo provided insights on various initiatives of the Government, including, One-District One-Factory, Free Senior High School, Agenda 111, Planting for Food and Jobs, all of which are geared towards the socio-economic growth of the country. He entreated the diaspora community to look back home for investment opportunities across various sectors of the economy to take advantage of the many incentives available to diaspora businesses, to enable them to contribute to Ghana’s development.
The issues raised during the programme, engendered lively discussions, that covered the investment climate in Ghana and consular matters. The meeting ended with the Embassy chronicling the concerns of the Ghanaian community in Angola, including passport processing, acquisition of Ghana Card and other relevant Ghanaian documents, registration of businesses in Ghana, Pension schemes/plans, and repatriation and transfer of funds.
The Head of Mission, H. E. Ambassador Mavis Esi Kusorgbor, in her remarks encouraged the Ghanaian Community to be law abiding and pursue lawful business interests in the host country. She commended the community for their conduct over the years which had not brought any negative news about Ghana, and encouraged them to become ambassadors of Ghana in their own small ways to promote visibility and the good image of Ghana. The Head of Mission assured the community of the Embassy’s readiness to provide the relevant assistance within its remit to support and protect their welfare and interest.
Mission is set to hold other consultative meetings to provide feedback on the concerns raised by the compatriots and, also to receive feedback on various services and assistance rendered to the Ghanaian Community. The community will continue to be provided the necessary guidance to enable our compatriots, on the basis of credible information, contribute their quota to support national development efforts by the Government of Ghana.
