An organization, Region17Gh, aimed at mobilizing the intellectual, professional, entrepreneurial, financial and cultural resources of Ghanaians living abroad to support Ghana’s national development, has officially been launched in Washington, D.C., under the auspices of the Embassy of Ghana in the United States.
Region17Gh, is a nonprofit organization registered in the United States of America (USA) with a 501(c)(3) federal tax exemption status. The initiative seeks to create a structured platform for harnessing the expertise, innovation, investments and global networks of the Ghanaian diaspora to drive sustainable national transformation.
Launched on Thursday, 30th July, 2026 under the theme, “Harnessing the Power of the Diaspora to Transform Ghana’s Future,” Region17Gh is expected to position the Ghanaian diaspora as a strategic partner in national development by fostering stronger connections between Ghana and its citizens across the globe.
Delivering the keynote address in Washington DC, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Victor Emmanuel Smith, underscored the critical role of the diaspora in Ghana’s transformation, noting that the strength of a nation is measured not only by its natural resources but also by its ability to harness the talents and expertise of its people wherever they may be.
“Every successful national transformation has been powered by partnership: government, private enterprise, civil society, academia and the diaspora,” he said.
According to Ambassador Smith, Ghana’s greatest export has always been its people rather than cocoa, gold or oil. He described Region17Gh as “an invitation to dream together, build together, invest together and rise together” in pursuit of the country’s economic transformation.
He further reaffirmed that the vision of Region17Gh aligns closely with his vision as Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, stressing that the initiave provides a practical platform for engaging the Ghanaian diaspora in meaningful partnerships that will advance Ghana’s development agenda.
Ambassador Smith was also named the Lifetime Patron for the organization.
Welcoming participants to the launch, Executive Director of Region17Gh, Mrs. Maabena Ohene-Kena Webb, said the initiative is founded on the principles of trust, transparency, collaboration and measurable impact.
“Region17Gh is a platform built on trust, transparency, collaboration and measurable impact. It is a
commitment to move beyond conversations to action and meaningful engagement,” she stated.
Mrs. Webb explained that the initiative stems from a vision articulated by President John Dramani Mahama, who described the Ghanaian diaspora as Ghana’s “17th Region” during the Diaspora Summit in Accra.
She called on Ghanaians around the world to unite and connect their expertise, resources, networks and talents to support Ghana’s socio-economic transformation through innovation, investment, skills transfer and strategic partnerships.
The launch attracted members of the Ghanaian diaspora, business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, US senators, members of the diplomatic corps, policymakers and development partners, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration between Ghana and its citizens abroad.
Among these key personalities were the Presidential Advisor on the Economy, Mr. Seth Terkper, the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Honourable John Dumelo and Senator Michael B. Mitchell, an African American.
The Region17Gh initiative is expected to serve as a platform for deepening diaspora engagement, promoting investment, facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering sustainable partnerships that will contribute significantly to Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
Source: CITINEWSROOM