Diaspora and migration policy and institutional frameworks Ghana country report

Abstract

International migration, especially to European destinations, is an age old phenomenon for many Ghanaians. While at their various destinations, the Ghanaian Diaspora continues to foster close ties with the country and leverage on opportunities that policies and programmes present to them. There is no known recognised migration governance framework in the country, although a draft migration policy is currently under review. Despite these shortfalls, the Ghanaian state recognises its diaspora as agents for co-development. Non-state actors have equally engaged in activities which are anchored on facilitating dialogue between the diaspora and Ghana. This paper reviews the various state and non-state level policies and programmes which facilitate the participation of the Ghanaian Diaspora in development activities. The paper concludes that while Ghana has very robust laws, which seek to facilitate the participation of the diaspora in development, many of the laws also limit their full involvement in some aspects of socio-economic development of the country. It is recommended that the State hastens the process for the passage of the national migration policy, which will comprehensively deal with migration in its entirety.