Accra, Aug. 7, GNA 96 Two nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) plan to host the African Diaspora International Conference and Pilgrimage in Accra from July 23 to August 3 2007.

The conference, which would be under the theme: "A Way Back Home: The Role of the Diaspora in the Reconstruction of Africa" would attract about 500 participants from the Diaspora.

The focus of the meeting to be hosted by Fihankra International and the 20/20 Group, the two NGOs, would hinge on discussing and adopting a plan of action that would seek to promote throughout the Diaspora the need to assist in the development process of Ghana and other African countries.

Nana Kwadwo Akpen, Executive Secretary of Fihankra, said in Accra on Monday that the conference would also serve as a catalyst in the creation of a worldwide movement that would make those in the Diaspora to realise the urgent need of channelling their energies and expertise into the development of Africa.

"We want to serve as a vanguard to stimulate a great deal of interest and make them learn about the economic prospects of Ghana as well as the tremendous investment opportunities available here," he said.

Nana Akpen said the press conference was to announce a movement of Africans in the Diaspora, who had recognized their economic responsibility to the development of their motherland and shown their readiness to share their wealth with the people.

As a preparatory activity to the main conference, 100 people in the Diaspora visited Ghana to engage in a forum in the Eastern Region with the aim of helping Ghana to achieve her development goals while simultaneously fulfilling the lifelong dream of integrating with Ghana. He said the forum overwhelmingly endorsed a community development plan in the Eastern Region that would attract Diaspora investors and have positive economic impact on the people.

"It is essential to encourage Diasporeans from the United States and elsewhere to come to Ghana to contribute their skills and financial resources through relocation and direct business development.=94 He noted that the organization had provided medical care to about 5,000 people, supported 200 farmers and given sponsorship to needy but brilliant students.

Nana Kwa David, a member of the 20/20 group, bemoaned the mass exodus of Ghanaians in search of greener pastures abroad, saying there existed enormous potentials in Ghana. "The West is not as good as we see it, though it looks attractive in the air; the side effect is very devastating; it is s just like advertisement, the worst of it is not shown.=94 7 Aug. 06