Ghana has reaffirmed its position as a beacon of Pan-Africanism and diaspora engagement at the 14th Pan-African Global Trade and Investment Conference held in Wilmington, Delaware, where government officials outlined fresh initiatives to deepen ties with the African diaspora and attract global investment.
Addressing the gathering on September 19, the Presidential Envoy for Inter-Faith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, extended a strong invitation to African Americans and the wider diaspora, declaring:
“This is your home. Ghana offers more than a place to visit—it is a place to live, work, invest, and retire with dignity.”
He emphasised that the country was positioning itself as a reliable gateway to Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides access to a 1.4 billion consumer market worth over US$3 trillion. “As global supply chains shift from Asia, Ghana stands ready as a stable, democratic, and trustworthy partner,” he added.
Mr. Ankrah, who also serves as a Resident Fellow at the Centre for Global Africa at Delaware State University, announced transformative policy initiatives, including the Right of Abode, new skills-based visa categories, and the creation of Diaspora Land Trusts to ensure transparent and secure land ownership.
He also highlighted Ghana’s cultural programs, such as Beyond the Return, as models for strengthening connections between Africa and its diaspora.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, echoed the enduring legacy of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in laying the foundations of global Pan-African solidarity. He stated that “the Ghanaian story is inseparable from the Pan-African story,” stressing Ghana’s unyielding commitment to justice, equity, and opportunity.
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, pledged to continue using the country’s foreign missions as bridges for engaging Ghanaians abroad in national development. He said his work as an envoy was focused on broadening opportunities for citizens and strengthening bilateral relations.
Participants at the conference, drawn from across the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa, lauded Ghana’s leadership role, describing Accra as not only the “spiritual capital of Pan-Africanism but also the economic gateway for the diaspora.”
The Wilmington conference closed on a note of optimism, with delegates expressing renewed interest in Ghana as a hub for investment, tourism, and cultural exchange. In a rousing call to action, Mr. Ankrah urged the global diaspora to partner with Ghana in building a prosperous future, declaring, “This is Africa’s time. This is Ghana’s time. Together, we can build a future of shared prosperity. Ghana is open. Ghana is ready. Ghana is your partner.”
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