Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK and Republic of Ireland, Papa Owusu-Ankomah has hinted that the Mission will shortly relaunch its database of Ghanaians resident in the United Kingdom as well as United Kingdom citizens of Ghanaian descent or heritage, to obtain relevant information on their areas of expertise and interests.

This would ultimately enable the Ghana High Commission to have a comprehensive network of knowledge to assist in the transformational agenda in Ghana and make significant contributions to move ‘Ghana Beyond Aid.’

The High Commissioner made the statement on Saturday, 16th June 2018, at the inauguration of the Ghana Association Humberside (GAH) at Kingston, Wesley Methodist Church, Hull City.

In his address, he touted some policies and programmes undertaken by the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo which has earned the country as a beacon of hope in the sub-region.

The High Commissioner stated that government recognises the transformational power of the Diaspora, which has made countries, such as, China and India become economic powerhouses. He added that their contributions and talents are needed to spur growth and advance the development agenda of the country.

Against this backdrop, government had established the Office of Diaspora Affairs and situated it in the Office of the President, to closely work with the Diaspora through enhanced engagement in the governance and economic development of Ghana.

He further commended the Diaspora community for remittances sent home to households and individuals which is regarded as a critical source of income, livelihood and investment for many families at home.

According to him, these remittances build homes and businesses, pay for education and healthcare bills, support the aged and parents in retirement, and ultimately keep many of our compatriots from poverty. In this regard, government is putting in place policies that would encourage more financial remittances to be converted into development capital.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah congratulated the executives of GAH for their unflinching efforts with respect to the formation of the Ghana Union Humberside and urged GAH to take part in the economic development of the country by identifying a niche in the growing investment sector, notably in agriculture, energy, real estate, service delivery and other sectors which would enhance their personal economic well-being and, by extension, the development agenda of the country.

The Chairman of the Association, Thomas Donkor in his welcome address thanked Papa Owusu-Ankomah and his entourage for taking time off to grace the occasion. He disclosed that the Association made up of non-sectarian Ghanaians was mooted basically to seek the welfare of our compatriots resident in Hull and its environs. He further urged other Ghanaians who are not members of GAH to join the Association where their expertise and experience could be harnessed to move GAH to a higher pedestal worthy of contributing its quota to national development back in Ghana.