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Evolution and Nature of Diaspora Engagement Policies in Ghana

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Africa and its Global Diaspora

Part of the book series: African Histories and Modernities ((AHAM))

Abstract

This chapter examines evolution and nature of Ghana’s diaspora engagement policies and programs, using Alan Gamlen’s framework on diaspora engagement policies. It specifically discusses capacity building of state institutions, strategies aimed at extending rights to the Ghanaian diaspora, and programs initiated to incentivize the Ghanaian diaspora to participate in national development through their skills and financial resource transfers. The chapter also discusses the major challenges associated with previous interventions aimed at engaging the Ghanaian diaspora, noting among others that a consistent shift from ad hoc to more institutionally coordinated policies and programs for diaspora engagement now drives the process. The chapter concludes by highlighting lessons learned from Ghana’s experience and making recommendations for enhancing the country’s relationship with its diaspora.

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Notes

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    Alhassan, O. 2010. The case of Ghana, In Building Institutional Cooperation Between the Diaspora and Homeland Governments in Africa: The Cases of Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, USA and the UK, edited by A. Mohamoud. The Hague: African Diaspora Policy Centre, 41–42.

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    Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

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    Alhassan, O. 2015. Needs Assessment Matrix for Effective Diaspora Engagement Policy. Background Paper Presented at a Stakeholder Workshop on Engagement in Ghana. Diaspora Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI). Capita View Hotel, Koforidua, March 2–5.

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    Alhassan, O. 2010. The case of Ghana, In Building Institutional Cooperation Between the Diaspora and Homeland Governments in Africa: The Cases of Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, USA and the UK, edited by A. Mohamoud. The Hague: African Diaspora Policy Centre, 41–42; Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

  11. 11.

    Gamlen, A. 2006. Diaspora Engagement Policies: Who are They and what Kinds of States Use Them? Oxford: Centre on Migration, Policy and Society.

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    Ibid.

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    Agyeman, A. E. and Setrana, B. M. 2014. Human mobility in Ghana, In Africans on the Move: Human Mobility in Ghana, Nigeria, Angola and South Africa, edited by F. Baggio. Cape Town: Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa, 13–63; Alhassan, O. 2010. The case of Ghana, In Building Institutional Cooperation Between the Diaspora and Homeland Governments in Africa: The Cases of Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, USA and the UK, edited by A. Mohamoud. The Hague: African Diaspora Policy Centre, 41–42; Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

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    Anarfi, J. K., Awusabo-Asare, K. and Nsowah-Nuamah, N. N. 2000. Push and Pull Factors of International Migration: Country Report, Ghana. Luxembourg: European Commission, Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat).

  15. 15.

    Teye, J. K., Awumbila, M. and Benneh, Y. 2015. Intraregional migration in the ECOWAS region: Trends and emerging challenges, In Migration and Civil Society as Development Drivers- a Regional Perspective, edited by A. B. Akoutou, et al. Bonn: Zei Centre for European Integration Studies, 97–124.

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    Anarfi, J. K., Awusabo-Asare, K. and Nsowah-Nuamah, N. N. 2000. Push and Pull Factors of International Migration: Country Report, Ghana. Luxembourg: European Commission, Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat).

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    Awumbila, M., Benneh, Y., Teye, J. K. and Atiim, G. 2014. Accross Artificial Borders: An Assessment of Labour Migration in the ECOWAS Region. Brussels: ACP Observatory on Migration; International Organization for Migration.

  18. 18.

    Anarfi, J., Kwankye, S., Ababio, O. M. and Tiemoko, R. 2003. Migration from and to Ghana: A background paper. University of Sussex: DRC on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty. Brighton: Working Paper No. C4, Development Research Centre on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty.

  19. 19.

    Agyeman, A. E. and Setrana, B. M. 2014. Human mobility in Ghana, In Africans on the Move: Human Mobility in Ghana, Nigeria, Angola and South Africa, edited by F. Baggio. Cape Town: Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa, 13–63; Vasta, E. and Kandilige, L. 2010. ‘London the Leveller’: Ghanaian Work Strategies and Community Solidarity. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 36 (4):581–598.

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    Teye, J. K. and Yebleh, M. K. 2014. Surviving without economic sssets: Livelihoods of liberian refugees in the Buduburam Camp, Ghana. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 18 (3):557–574.

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    GSS. 2013. Population and Housing Census: National Analytical Report. Accra: Ghana Statistical Service.

  24. 24.

    Awumbila, M., Benneh, Y., Teye, J. K. and Atiim, G. 2014. Accross Artificial Borders: An Assessment of Labour Migration in the ECOWAS Region. Brussels: ACP Observatory on Migration; International Organization for Migration.

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    Quartey, P. 2009. International Migration in Ghana: National Profile for Strategic Policy Development. Geneva: International Organization for Migration.

  27. 27.

    Awumbila, M., Benneh, Y., Teye, J. K. and Atiim, G. 2014. Accross Artificial Borders: An Assessment of Labour Migration in the ECOWAS Region. Brussels: ACP Observatory on Migration; International Organization for Migration.

  28. 28.

    Ibid.

  29. 29.

    Quartey, P. 2009. International Migration in Ghana: National Profile for Strategic Policy Development. Geneva: International Organization for Migration; UNDP. 2013. Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2013 Revision. Geneva: Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.

  30. 30.

    Anarfi, J., Kwankye, S., Ababio, O. M. and Tiemoko, R. 2003. Migration from and to Ghana: A Background Paper. University of Sussex: DRC on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty. Brighton: Working Paper No. C4, Development Research Centre on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty.

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    Manuh, T. and Asante, R. 2005. Reaping the gains of Ghanaians overseas: An evaluation of the home coming summit of 2001, In At Home in the World? International Migration and Development in Contemporary Ghana and West Africa, edited by T. Manuh. 292–310.

  32. 32.

    Ibid.

  33. 33.

    Mazzucato, V. 2007. Return Migration in Ghana: An Overview. Paris: Commissioned by OECD.

  34. 34.

    Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

  35. 35.

    Alhassan, O. 2010. The case of Ghana, In Building Institutional Cooperation Between the Diaspora and Homeland Governments in Africa: The Cases of Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, USA and the UK, edited by A. Mohamoud. The Hague: African Diaspora Policy Centre, 41–42.

  36. 36.

    Ibid.

  37. 37.

    Ibid.

  38. 38.

    Manuh, T. and Asante, R. 2005. Reaping the gains of Ghanaians overseas: An evaluation of the home coming summit of 2001, In At Home in the World? International Migration and Development in Contemporary Ghana and West Africa, edited by T. Manuh. 292–310.

  39. 39.

    Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

  40. 40.

    Quartey, P. 2009. International Migration in Ghana: National Profile for Strategic Policy Development. Geneva: International Organization for Migration.

  41. 41.

    GSS. 2013. Population and Housing Census: National Analytical Report. Accra: Ghana Statistical Service.

  42. 42.

    Alhassan, O. 2010. The case of Ghana, In Building Institutional Cooperation Between the Diaspora and Homeland Governments in Africa: The Cases of Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, USA and the UK, edited by A. Mohamoud. The Hague: African Diaspora Policy Centre, 41–42.

  43. 43.

    Ibid.; Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

  44. 44.

    MFARI. 2015a. “Diaspora engagement initiative of the ministry of foreign affairs and regional integration.” http://www.ghanaemberlin.de/upload/documents/DAB-CONCEPT-PAPER.pdf.

  45. 45.

    Korbieh, S. 2014. Current and Past Diaspora Initiatives of the Ghanaian Government. A Paper Presented at the MIEUX (Migration EU Expertise) Ghana II Action Consultative Meeting. Brussels, October 27–29.

  46. 46.

    MFARI. 2015b. Proceedings of Deliberation of the Core Group on Diaspora Engagement: Needs Assessment Workshop for the Diaspora Engagement Policy for Ghana. Accra: DAB.

  47. 47.

    IOM. 2004. Migration and Development: Current Policy Challenges. Geneva: IOM/Migration Policy and Research Department.

  48. 48.

    Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

  49. 49.

    Tonah, S. 2007. Ghanaians abroad and their ties home. Cultural and religious dimensions of transnational migration.

  50. 50.

    Schmelz, A. 2009. The Ghanaian Diaspora in Germany: Its Contribution to Development in Ghana. Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

  51. 51.

    Orozco, M. 2005. Diasporas, Development and Transnational Integration: Ghanaians in the U.S., U.K. and Germany: Report commissioned by Citizen International through the U.S. Agency for International Development; Schmelz, A. 2009. The Ghanaian Diaspora in Germany: Its Contribution to Development in Ghana. Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ); Tonah, S. 2007. Ghanaians abroad and their ties home. Cultural and religious dimensions of transnational migration.

  52. 52.

    Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

  53. 53.

    Alhassan, O. 2010. The case of Ghana, In Building Institutional Cooperation between the Diaspora and Homeland Governments in Africa: The Cases of Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, USA and the UK, edited by A. Mohamoud. The Hague: African Diaspora Policy Centre, 41–42.

  54. 54.

    Schmelz, A. 2009. The Ghanaian Diaspora in Germany: Its Contribution to Development in Ghana. Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

  55. 55.

    Tonah, S. 2007. Ghanaians abroad and their ties home. Cultural and religious dimensions of transnational migration.

  56. 56.

    Schmelz, A. 2009. The Ghanaian Diaspora in Germany: Its Contribution to Development in Ghana. Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

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    Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

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    Schmelz, A. 2009. The Ghanaian Diaspora in Germany: Its Contribution to Development in Ghana. Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

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    Orozco, M. 2005. Diasporas, Development and Transnational Integration: Ghanaians in the U.S., U.K. and Germany: Report commissioned by Citizen International through the U.S. Agency for International Development.

  60. 60.

    Tonah, S. 2007. Ghanaians abroad and their ties home. Cultural and religious dimensions of transnational migration.

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    Schmelz, A. 2009. The Ghanaian Diaspora in Germany: Its Contribution to Development in Ghana. Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

  62. 62.

    Bank of Ghana. 2012. Annual Report 2012. Accra: Bank of Ghana.

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    World Bank. 2014. “Remittances and development.” Accessed 24 June 2015. http://siteresources.WorldBank.org/INTLAC/Resources/Remittances_and_Development_Report.pdf.

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    Quartey, P. 2011. Ghana, In Remittance Markets in Africa, edited by Sanket Mohapatra and Dilip Ratha. Washington, DC: World Bank Publications, 133–154.

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    Schmelz, A. 2009. The Ghanaian Diaspora in Germany: Its Contribution to Development in Ghana. Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

  66. 66.

    Quartey, P. 2009. International Migration in Ghana: National Profile for Strategic Policy Development. Geneva: International Organization for Migration.

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    Baah-Boateng, W. and Ewusi, K. 2013. Employment: Policies and Options, In Policies and Options for Ghana’s Economic Development, edited by Kodwo Ewusi. Legon, Accra: Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, 190–221.

  68. 68.

    Ibid.

  69. 69.

    Alhassan, O. 2015. Needs Assessment Matrix for Effective Diaspora Engagement Policy. Background Paper Presented at a Stakeholder Workshop on Engagement in Ghana. Diaspora Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI). Capita View Hotel, Koforidua, March 2–5.

  70. 70.

    Gamlen, A. 2006. Diaspora Engagement Policies: Who Are They and What Kinds of States Use Them? Oxford: Centre on Migration, Policy and Society.

  71. 71.

    Ibid.

  72. 72.

    Ibid.

  73. 73.

    Ibid.

  74. 74.

    Anarfi, J., Kwankye, S., Ababio, O. M. and Tiemoko, R. 2003. Migration from and to Ghana: A Background Paper. University of Sussex: DRC on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty. Brighton: Working Paper No. C4, Development Research Centre on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty.

  75. 75.

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  76. 76.

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  77. 77.

    MFARI. 2015a. “Diaspora engagement initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.” http://www.ghanaemberlin.de/upload/documents/DAB-CONCEPT-PAPER.pdf.

  78. 78.

    Ibib.

  79. 79.

    Gamlen, A. 2006. Diaspora Engagement Policies: Who Are They and What Kinds of States Use Them? Oxford: Centre on Migration, Policy and Society.

  80. 80.

    Ibid.

  81. 81.

    Alhassan, O. 2010. The case of Ghana, In Building Institutional Cooperation Between the Diaspora and Homeland Governments in Africa: The Cases of Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, USA and the UK, edited by A. Mohamoud. The Hague: African Diaspora Policy Centre, 41–42.

  82. 82.

    Ibid.; Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

  83. 83.

    GSS. 2013. Population and Housing Census: National Analytical Report. Accra: Ghana Statistical Service.

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    Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

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  94. 94.

    Ibid.; Awumbila, M. and Teye, J. K. 2014. Ghana Country Report, INTERACT RR 2014/3. San Domenico di Fiesole (FI): Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute.

  95. 95.

    Alhassan, O. 2014. Ghana’s Diaspora Engagement Process: Towards an All-Inclusive Engagement Policy. A Paper Presented at the MIEUX (Migration EU Expertise) Ghana II Action Consultative Meeting. Brussels, October 27–29.

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    Gamlen, A. 2006. Diaspora Engagement Policies: Who Are They and What Kinds of States Use Them? Oxford: Centre on Migration, Policy and Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Joseph Kofi Teye

  2. Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Osman Alhassan

  3. Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Mary Boatemaa Setrana

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  1. Area and Global Studies, Grand Valley State University , Allendale, Michigan, USA

    Jack Mangala

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Teye, J.K., Alhassan, O., Boatemaa Setrana, M. (2017). Evolution and Nature of Diaspora Engagement Policies in Ghana. In: Mangala, J. (eds) Africa and its Global Diaspora. African Histories and Modernities. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50053-9_6

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