A new initiative aimed at mobilising the intellectual, professional, entrepreneurial, financial and cultural resources of Ghanaians abroad for national development has been launched in Washington, D.C., under the theme, “Harnessing the Power of the Diaspora to Transform Ghana’s Future.”
Dubbed Region 17, the initiative seeks to give institutional expression to the vision of recognising the Ghanaian diaspora as an integral part of Ghana’s development while creating a structured platform for Ghanaians abroad to contribute to the country’s economic transformation.
The launch brought together members of the Ghanaian diaspora, business leaders, professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders. Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, delivered the keynote address, while the Presidential Advisor on the Economy, Seth Terkper, also attended and spoke on the need for Ghana and the rest of Africa to rethink how diaspora resources are mobilised and deployed for development.
Speaking at the event, Victor Emmanuel Ambassador Smith described the launch as the beginning of a long-held vision.
“Tonight is not merely the launch of an institution. It is the birth of an idea whose time has come,” he said.
He traced the concept to President John Dramani Mahama’s description of the Ghanaian diaspora as Ghana’s “17th region” during a Diaspora Summit in Accra, a message the President later reiterated during a visit to the United States.
According to the Ambassador, the description was more than symbolic, as it recognised the indispensable role Ghanaians living abroad can play in the country’s development.
“That description was not merely symbolic. It was a profound recognition of the indispensable role that our brothers and sisters abroad can and must play in the development of our nation,” he said.
He noted that Region 17 transforms that vision into an institutional platform capable of mobilising the expertise, influence and resources of the Ghanaian diaspora.
Ambassador Smith said a nation’s strength is measured not only by its natural resources but also by its ability to harness the talents of its people wherever they live.
He added that the initiative aligns with his vision of making diplomacy a catalyst for national development, saying Ghana’s diplomatic missions must go beyond political representation to actively connect the country with investors, businesses, professionals and members of the diaspora.
A major theme of his address was the need to broaden the understanding of the diaspora’s contribution to national development.
“The Ghanaian diaspora is not outside Ghana’s development story. They are central to it,” he said.
While acknowledging the importance of remittances, Ambassador Smith argued that Ghana should also tap into the knowledge, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, professional networks, global influence and leadership of Ghanaians abroad.
He described Region 17 as a significant shift in how Ghana views its diaspora.
“It declares that the Ghanaian abroad is not an observer. The Ghanaian abroad is a stakeholder, not a spectator. A partner, not an outsider, but an indispensable architect of Ghana’s future,” he said.
Ambassador Victor Smith also linked the initiative to President Mahama’s RESET Agenda, saying Ghana’s transformation cannot be achieved by government alone but requires the active participation of citizens both at home and abroad.
He officially declared the Region 17 Initiative launched.
Source: Metro TV Online