The Government of Ghana is set to introduce a Diaspora National Service programme aimed at reconnecting young Ghanaians born and raised abroad with their roots while encouraging them to contribute to the country’s development.
Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere-Darko, announced the initiative during the maiden Ghana Diaspora Students Forum (GDSF) 2026), saying the programme will target young members of the Ghanaian diaspora before they enter university.
According to him, participants will spend about two months in Ghana, immersing themselves in the country’s culture, institutions and way of life before returning abroad to continue their education.
“The initiative is intended to strengthen their connection to Ghana and encourage long-term engagement in national development,” he said
Mr. Okyere-Darko made the announcement while addressing students, policymakers, academics and development practitioners from Ghana, Europe, Asia and North America in the virtual forum, organised by NUGS-Germany in collaboration with NUGS-UK, NUGS-China and supported by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).
He noted that Ghana’s engagement with its diaspora is shifting from a focus on cultural ties and remittances to one that prioritises knowledge transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship, research and investment.
“The question is no longer whether Ghanaian students abroad matter. The question is how Ghana intends to engage them before they graduate, while they build their careers and long after they become established professionals,” he said.
Mr. Okyere-Darko stressed that government is not seeking to compel Ghanaian students to return home immediately after graduation.
“Our objective is not to persuade every Ghanaian student to return home immediately after graduation. Our objective is to ensure that wherever you find yourselves, Ghana remains part of your professional journey,” he stated.
He described Ghanaian students abroad as one of the country’s most strategic national assets, saying they represent Ghana’s future entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, healthcare professionals and policymakers.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs encouraged students to remain connected to Ghana wherever they choose to build their careers, adding that countries that succeed in the future will be those that effectively harness the skills and expertise of their citizens across the world.
The forum, held under the theme “Pathways, Ecosystems and Diaspora as Development,” examined how Ghanaian students overseas can leverage their education, international exposure and professional networks to drive Ghana’s socio-economic transformation.
Delivering the keynote address, entrepreneur and Founder of the Young Professionals Business Network (YPBN), Daniel Amoateng, challenged participants to embrace purpose-driven leadership and invest in personal development.
He urged young Ghanaians to identify their purpose, build strong professional networks and focus on creating value for society.
The event also featured contributions from the Ghana-NRW University Alliance, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Ghana, researchers and public policy experts, who highlighted opportunities in scholarships, research partnerships, entrepreneurship and vocational training while calling for stronger collaboration between government, academia, industry and Ghanaian students abroad.
Closing the virtual forum, NUGS-Germany President, Patrick Sarpong announced that a communiqué containing recommendations from the discussions would be presented to stakeholders, expressing optimism that the Ghana Diaspora Students Forum would become an annual platform for strengthening the role of Ghanaian students abroad in national development.
By Ibrahim Abubakar
