41
The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, has called on Ghanaians living abroad to channel their collective resources into agriculture and agro-processing to help transform Ghana’s economy and strengthen food security.
Mr. Dumelo made the call during the official launch of the Region 17 Initiative in Washington, D.C., United States, where he joined Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Ambassador Victor Smith, and the private organisers of the initiative.
The launch brought together members of the Ghanaian diaspora, business leaders, investors and stakeholders committed to supporting Ghana’s socio-economic development through strategic investments.
Addressing participants, the legislator noted that Ghanaians abroad contribute billions of dollars annually to the country’s economy through remittances, stressing that a significant portion of these resources could be harnessed to drive sustainable investments in agriculture and value addition.
According to him, the time has come for the Ghanaian diaspora to move beyond individual remittances and embrace collective investment models capable of transforming the country’s agricultural sector.
“My message was simple: the support of Ghanaians abroad to collectively pool resources and channel them into agriculture and value addition is long overdue. It is not impossible. Let’s make agriculture great,” he stated.
Mr. Dumelo explained that agriculture remains one of Ghana’s most promising sectors for job creation, industrialisation and economic growth, adding that strategic investments in farming, agro-processing, storage, packaging and export-oriented production would create employment opportunities for thousands of young people.
He indicated that organised diaspora investment has the potential to modernise agriculture, improve productivity and increase the country’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
The MP further encouraged Ghanaian professionals and entrepreneurs abroad to leverage their expertise, technology and financial resources to support innovative agricultural ventures that would generate long-term economic benefits.
The Region 17 Initiative seeks to deepen engagement between Ghana and its citizens living overseas by promoting investment, collaboration and partnerships that contribute to national development.
Participants at the launch expressed optimism that the initiative would serve as an effective platform for mobilising diaspora resources and expertise towards strategic sectors, particularly agriculture, entrepreneurship and value addition.
The event underscored the growing recognition of the Ghanaian diaspora as an important development partner whose financial contributions, skills and networks can play a significant role in accelerating the country’s economic transformation.
