DIASPORA AFFAIRS BUREAUMINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION

“REPORTING ON MIGRATION IN WEST AFRICA:

ISSUES,CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES”

CENTRE FOR MIGRATION STUDIES

3RD SEPTEMBER, 2014

WHY THE DAB?

Pursuant to a Presidential directive in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in the year 2013 to establish the DAB as the National Platform for Diaspora Engagement

The Bureau commenced its work on 1st February, 2014, following an official communication to all Ghana Missions abroad and all Diplomatic Missions in Ghana.

This was affirmed in the 2014 State of the Nation Address by H.E John Dramani Mahama

MAIN PURPOSE OF DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT

The main purpose of the Diaspora engagement is to enhance the capacity of Ghanaians resident abroad to effectively participate in national development in a structured way through:

the channelling of their remittances to foster entrepreneurships,

support innovation, develop priority sectors of the economy use of their knowledge and skills to fill resources and

knowledge gaps, as partners, and also as members and leaders of scientific and technical networks in Ghana.

NATIONAL GOALS OF ENGAGEMENT

Ensure compilation and maintenance of up-to-date and holistic data on qualified human resource needs of institutions in the country as well as data on available professional and technical resource within the diaspora communities.

Advocate for mobilizing and linking Ghanaian professionals globally for increased opportunities for brain gain.

Promote collaboration between the diaspora including Ghanaian professionals abroad on one hand and Ghanaian institutions in the country on the other hand to strengthen partnership for experience, knowledge and skills transfer.

NATIONAL GOALS (continue) Facilitate increased coordination and channelling of available

intellectual and technical resources from the Ghanaian diaspora and peoples of African descent to contribute to institutional capacity building.

Assist local institutions to improve their efficiency in accessing and utilizing Diasporas intellectual and technical resources to meet their developmental goals.

Harness the financial resources of the Ghanaian Diaspora for investments in crucial sectors of the economy.

Attract Diaspora philanthropic contributions. By deploying three strategies to leverage on philanthropic contributions from the diaspora: i.e. engaging individuals, organizations, and pooling funds from Diaspora donor communities for long term investment.

ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES Promote the diaspora as an important source and

facilitator of research and innovation, technology transfer and skills development. To this end, maximise the benefits of Diasporas and engage more with them through the promotion and implementation of policies to boost flows of financial resources, information and technology.

Promote direct investment of Diasporas in local firms through joint ventures. As much as possible, information on areas of viable economic investment should be provided on regular basis to the Ghanaian diaspora to whip up their enthusiasm to decide to set up their independent companies or lead international consortia for the same purpose.

STRATEGIES (continue)

Facilitate citizenship and residency rights including dual citizenship and voting rights as important determinants for diaspora participation in trade, investment and technology transfer to Ghana as well as a strategy to build confidence and trust between the Government and the Diaspora Community.

Liaise with relevant stakeholders to improve the business environment to encourage more diaspora investment.

Develop a strategic plan for the engagement process.

WHY THE NEED FOR A DEP?

The National Migration Policy made a broad policy reference to Diaspora engagement but it did not provide a clear and in-depth policy direction to the engagement

Consequently, there was the need for the development of a comprehensive home grown Diaspora Engagement Policy that will offer unambiguous direction for the engagement which is aimed at national development

ICMPD SUPPORT

It is against this background that the Diaspora Affairs Bureau in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) under the Migration EU Expertise (MIEUX) Project of the European Union concluded a project proposal and action plan for the development of the Diaspora Engagement Policy with support from the European Union and Technical assistance from ICMPD.

ICMPD SUPPORT

a five-day workshop (18th - 22nd August, 2014) was organized by the experts of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) on the development of Ghana’s Diaspora Engagement Policy, as the first workshop on the Development of the Diaspora Engagement Policy of Ghana.

This culminated in the formation of the Core Group for the development of the DEP (These are Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration(DAB, LECB &PPMEB), Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Finance, Attorney-General’s Department, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, Ministry of Health and Centre for Migration Studies)

OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE OF THE DEP

TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANA TO ENGAGE DIASPORA IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The goals of the DEP: Enhanced dialogue/interaction between the Ghanaian

Diaspora/peoples of African descent and the government of Ghana

To create a relationship of trust and confidence between the Diaspora and the government

Mobilize the Diaspora population to contribute to sustainable national development

GOALS OF DEP To enhance effective communication

between the Diaspora and the government of Ghana

To attract Diaspora investment To facilitate a stronger cooperation between

the Government of Ghana and the Diaspora; and

Strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of the officers of the National Platform in the Ministry (DAB) and other stakeholder institutions.

IMPORTANCE OF MIGRATION DATA TO DIASPORA

ENGAGEMENT Enable the mobilization of the Diaspora population to contribute to sustainable development

For the formulation of evidence-based policies Development of specific/targeted Diaspora

initiatives/projects Source assistance/support from International

donor agencies engaged in Diaspora/migration initiatives (eg. World Bank, ICMPD, etc)

THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA

The Media, as the 4th arm of the state, remains the bridge between state institutions and the populace. Migration reportage has been a critical area that demands specialty. In host countries, the Media have politically ascribed to migrants the responsibility, directly or indirectly, for unemployment, insecurity or lack of social cohesion while at the policy level strategies to attract a segment of international migrants with high human capital attributes are being implemented.

ROLE OF THE MEDIA CONT.

It is therefore incumbent on sending country media practitioners to inform themselves of these developments and provide the positive role of our professionals in destination countries. The Ministry will like to partner the media in this crusade. You may wish to visit the Bureau’s website for more information on our activities: www.ghanaiandiaspora.com

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THANK YOU