Accra — September 17, 2025
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI) hosted a spirited media launch for the Diaspora Summit 2025, opening with choral renditions that set a patriotic tone—an assertion that “we are all involved in building our motherland.” Musicians led the audience through the national youth anthem refrain, a musical version of the National Pledge, and “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana,” before formal remarks underlined the Summit’s theme: “Resetting Ghana — The Diaspora as the 17th Region.”
From the dais, a senior MFARI director welcomed dignitaries—including representatives from the Presidency, the diplomatic corps, media and creative leaders—and confirmed that the Summit will convene December 19–20, 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). Speakers framed the gathering as a bridge between Ghana and its global family, not merely for remittances but for skills, innovation, advocacy, and cultural capital.
Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD)—Director at the Diaspora Affairs Office, Office of the President (DAOOP)—outlined a government-wide mandate to “build bridges and break barriers,” describing an interministerial approach to investment facilitation, skills transfer, and integration support. He emphasized that the December program will be officially opened by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama and will culminate in a Diaspora Awards Night recognizing global Ghanaian and African-descended excellence.
Taking the podium, the Minister for Foreign Affairs affirmed that the Summit will be more than a homecoming: it is a platform to pursue justice and unity across Africa and the diaspora. He announced a critical facilitation measure—visa-free entry to Ghana for attendees traveling specifically to the Summit—and introduced five cultural envoys set to champion the mobilization effort, including content creator Wode Maya, media leader Dentaa, Grammy-nominated artist Rocky Dawuni, broadcaster Anita Erskine, and internationally acclaimed artist Ibrahim Mahama. The program closed with a logo reveal and a roll call of sector partners—underscoring that a “reset” requires whole-of-society participation.
Official sites:
MFARI — https://www.mfa.gov.gh
DAOOP — https://diasporaaffairs.gov.gh
Day One Spotlight: The Decade of Our Repatriation (DOOR)
Per internal communications, President John Dramani Mahama is expected to announce RepatriateToGhana.com’s Decade of Our Repatriation (DOOR) on Friday, December 19, at the opening of the Summit. DOOR aligns Ghana’s national priorities with a practical, people-centred return-and-build agenda for members of the global African family—converting historic brain drain into brain gain through clear pathways to live, invest, and integrate in Ghana.
Learn more / get involved:
- DOOR — https://www.decadeofourrepatriation.com
- Repatriate to Ghana (R2GH) — https://www.repatriatetoghana.com
What DOOR Emphasizes
- Facilitation & Safeguards: Streamlined residency/citizenship processes; anti-fraud protections; a verified single front-door for trusted information.
- Integration & Enculturation: Language and cultural orientation; mentorship; community-based belonging for sustainable return.
- Jobs & Enterprise: Talent matching, entrepreneurship pipelines, and sector partnerships that translate return into livelihoods and national value-add.
- Housing & Landed Support: Clear guidance on property, land due diligence, and compliant investment vehicles.
- Digital & Post-Arrival Support: Pre-arrival readiness, virtual help desks, and continuity of care after relocation.
DAOOP’s Endorsement, in KOD’s Words
DAOOP as well as Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) have both formally endorsed the Decade initiative advanced by Repatriate to Ghana (R2GH). As stated in the endorsement letter written by Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD):
“The Diaspora Affairs Office, Office of the President (DAOOP), is pleased to officially endorse the Decade of Repatriation: Ghana’s Great Brain Gain, a landmark initiative spearheaded by Repatriate to Ghana (R2GH). This visionary program seeks to build upon the momentum of the record levels of diaspora engagement to Ghana, ushering in a bold new era of structured, intentional, and impactful diaspora reintegration.”
He then points to the practical gaps the program is designed to close:
“DAOOP recognizes the impressive groundwork laid by R2GH in addressing critical gaps in the repatriation journey—from housing and legal services to enculturation, language, business orientation, and virtual support systems… With thousands of diaspora… having already made Ghana their permanent home and an estimated $1.9 billion in economic contributions since 2019, it is clear that well-supported repatriation presents… a transformational opportunity for socio-economic growth.”
KOD frames the Decade as the policy scaffolding for sustainable return:
“The Decade of Repatriation… offers a strategic national framework to convert brain drain into ‘brain gain’… with attention to holistic support systems, diaspora job placement, real estate guidance, digital infrastructure, and anti-fraud safeguards—a people-centered model for responsible repatriation.”
He also underscores the coalition behind the work:
“We commend the historic efforts already achieved by R2GH, including collaboration with UNIA and Abibitumi, and note the significance of MOUs signed to streamline pathways for global repatriation… We are proud to associate with a program that embodies the Pan-African ethos of unity, return, and co-creation—reflecting the foresight of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, affirming diaspora engagement as a pillar of Ghana’s forward-looking development agenda.”
And he closes with a straightforward call to action:
“We encourage public, private, and development stakeholders to lend their support to the Decade of Repatriation and the broader R2GH ecosystem, as we work collectively to make Ghana the global beacon of diaspora reconnection and reintegration.”
Looking Ahead to December
- Dates & Venue: December 19–20, 2025, Accra International Conference Centre (AICC)
- DOOR Announcement: H.E. President John Dramani Mahama
- Program Texture: Policy facilitation, talent and enterprise pipelines, reparations dialogue, and practical sign-ups that translate intent into measurable outcomes—anchored by the Decade of Our Repatriation.
Stay updated:
MFARI — https://www.mfa.gov.gh
DAOOP — https://diasporaaffairs.gov.gh
DOOR — https://www.decadeofourrepatriation.com
R2GH — https://www.repatriatetoghana.com
For publication on: Abibitumi.com • RepatriateToGhana.com • DecadeofOurRepatriation.com
