The Homecoming Steering Committee of UK & Ireland Launched

The UK and Ireland branch of the Ghana Homecoming Steering Committee has been formally launched in London. The Committee made up of Ghanaian professionals, was constituted after the Home-coming Summit held in Accra last year to mobilise non-resident Ghanaians in support of the nation’s development efforts.

Among the dignitaries who attended the launch were the Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon. K.T. Hammond; Mr Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK and executives of the UK branch of the Homecoming Steering Committee.

Launching the Committee on behalf of H.E. Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner in the UK, Mr Baah-Duodu said its formation reflects the manifestation and desire of Ghanaians to contribute to the overall development of the economy.

Mr Baah-Duodu hailed the voluntary spirit shown by the executive of the Home-Coming Steering Summit and pledged the support of the Mission in the realisation of its aims and objectives

He appealed to Ghanaians resident abroad to support the Committee in order to make its existence relevant to the needs of the Ghanaian society and urged them to invest their profits back home as a first step towards helping to improve the living conditions of their compatriots.

On the economy, Mr Baah-Duodu said Government is taking steps to put in place a viable and responsible legal and regulatory framework which will encourage Ghanaians to work, produce, prosper and create wealth for themselves.

On his part, Hon. K.T. Hammond enjoined all Ghanaians to bear with the government as efforts to develop the nation are on track, and added that the various socio-economic initiatives which had been put in place, would make Ghana a better place to live in.

Rev. Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Home-Coming Steering Committee said the Committee, will among others, provide counselling for Ghanaians who wish to return home to invest or re-settle in Ghana. Professionals with special skills and expertise would also be encouraged to take up key managerial positions in Ghana.

The Chairman however called for a thorough re-orientation of immigration and CEPS officials at the country’s major points of entry to give impetus to government’s drive to attract investments into the country.

Some of the issues raised during the forum centred on the possibility of imposing a development levy on all non-resident Ghanaians, easy access to land acquisition for business purposes and the need for financial assistance to the ailing national carrier, Ghana Airways.