Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada has advised people in the diaspora to use appropriate channels and agencies to seek services and to resolve challenges they face.

Ayikoi Otoo said that this would ensure they are not duped or swindled, especially when they are trying to buy property or establish a business.

Speaking in his first exclusive interview since being appointed as High Commissioner, with Ghanaweb, the astute lawyer said Ghanaians in the diaspora should do well to use the services of the mission, which can assist them to get in contact with relevant agencies with which they can conduct business.

“The missions are here to assist… they should feel free to call on us anytime if they believe they have issues back home and we will know who to contact.” He assured.

Ghanaians in the diaspora have for years been complaining about being duped by people back home including family members in whom they entrust funds to embark on projects.

The acquisition of land, building projects, and registration of businesses are often points of contention. In many cases the people they depend on never put up the property or build substandard ones, after receiving hefty sums of money for the projects.

Mr Ayikoi Otoo says with the advent of technology and the availability of government services to help, Ghanaians abroad should no longer expose themselves to such scenarios.

Besides the missions, he said there is the diaspora office on which they can rely. “It’s always better to take your time to get things done properly than to rush into doing things only to realized you’ve been duped and you blame everybody”

He urged them to use the services of estate developers, the lands commission and other agencies and stop relying on relatives, who in most cases have no idea on how to secure the property they want.

Nii Ayikoi Otoo was appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice by President John Agyekum Kufour in 2005 and defended Sir John to escape jail on contempt charges during the election petition.

In December 2011 Ga Adamgbe youth petitioned the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to consider making Ayikoi Otoo the running mate to the then Presidential candidate.

However, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo settled on Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate. In March 2017 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed Ayikoi Otoo as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada.