Ghana is stepping up efforts to integrate migration and diaspora remittances into its development planning as part of a broader strategy to boost job creation and drive long-term economic transformation.
The country received an estimated $7.8 billion in remittances in 2025, equivalent to nearly seven per cent of its Gross Domestic Product, underscoring the growing importance of diaspora inflows to the national economy.
However, officials say much of the funds are currently directed toward household consumption, with limited impact on savings and productive investment.
The Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, said the Commission has developed a toolkit in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to help integrate diaspora contributions into national and sub-national development plans.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by Richard Tweneboah Kodua, Director of Research and Innovation at the NDPC, she said the initiative aims to mainstream migration and remittances into Ghana’s development frameworks.
“This presents a clear opportunity for us to better harness diaspora resources for sustainable development, job creation, and economic transformation,” she said.
Dr Amoah noted that about 1.7 million Ghanaians live abroad across more than 50 countries, with their remittances supporting households, education, healthcare, and local economic activities.
The initiative was highlighted during a capacity-building workshop that brought together representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, the Ghana Statistical Service, the Bank of Ghana, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
Participants were trained on how to incorporate migration trends and diaspora contributions into their respective development plans.
Mr Amadou Diop, an Economic Affairs Officer at UNECA, said the Commission has been working since 2024 with six African countries, including Ghana, Comoros and Tunisia, to identify best practices for leveraging remittances to reduce poverty and promote economic growth.
He stressed that the success of the initiative will depend on strong institutional commitment to ensure diaspora inflows are channelled into meaningful development outcomes.
Source: GNA
