Regional News of Saturday, 7 September 2013

Source: GNA

Foreign Ministry intensifies economic engagement with the Diaspora

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, is stepping up economic engagement to woo Africans in the Diaspora to invest in the various sectors of the economy.

Ms Hannah Tetteh, the Sector Minister said government has created the relevant policy framework and platforms to deepen economic ties with the Diaspora, whilst institutions had been set up to work on a National Migration and Development Policy to mainstream migration into the national development framework.

Ms Tetteh made this known at the launch of the maiden Ghana Diaspora Business Summit on Friday.

She noted that the policy seeks to determine the best and most cost-effective approaches to enhance engagement with the Diaspora to contribute to sustainable development

“Migration and development which have risen to the top of the international policy and political agenda had become an integral part of national strategies,” she said.

Ms Tetteh said government is determined to promote the Diaspora as an important source and facilitator of research and innovation, technology transfer and skills development.

The Minister said the Diaspora Support Unit of the ministry is working hard to challenge the business community to develop innovative products and services.

Ms Tetteh said the Unit would provide government institutions and the private sector a feedback on the operations of Diaspora entrepreneurs, their challenges, and how stakeholders in national development could enhance their cooperation as well as collaboration to optimise national development.