Remittances From Diaspora is now $4.3 Billion

...Minister attibutes this to good governance under Kufuor

That Ghanaians in the diaspora are contributing immensely to the development of the country is increasingly becoming a reality by the day. According to Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, remittances from Ghanaians abroad increased from $400 million in 2001 to $4.3 billion in 2007.

He attributed the increase to the good governance being witnessed under the Kufuor administration.

He was speaking at the launching of the Ghana Opportunity Network (GoNET), a website facility which provides information to Ghanaians in the diaspora, at the British Council in Accra on Tuesday.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said information is the key to wealth creation and development, and therefore urged Ghanaians, particularly those in the Diaspora to make good use of GoNET.

He said GoNET has not only come to transform the way Ghanaians should relate to the country but also to reconnect every Ghanaian in all parts of the world.

He further charged Ghanaians to have the "can do spirit" and congratulated Databank and Nubuke Foundation, the brain behind GoNET, on such a laudable initiative.

Mr. Boateng advised initiators to give out analytical and inspirational information to consumers to make GoNET different from already existing networks.

He said his ministry has given its blessings to the foundation because of the positive prospects it holds in information delivery, wealth creation and development.

Explaining the GoNET, Dr. Kwabena Frimpong, Vice President, Databank Asset Management said the non-profit based foundation is to provide both non-resident and resident Ghanaians with reliable and convenient way to access information about Ghana through its website, (www.ghana opportunity.com).

He said the website has a wide range of frequently sought after issues; from business to social, that meet the enquiring needs of its target group.

He urged service providers and businesses operating in Ghana to have their web link on the GoNET website so as to give them the opportunity to tap into a large international and local market.

He went on to outline the services of the GoNET as; business and investment opportunities, how to acquire property, helping on moving to Ghana and tips about visiting Ghana.

Other services include volunteer work and opportunities for charity, advisory services, information on religious bodies professional and social networks and news updates.

Prince Kofi Amoabeng, CEO of Unique Trust Financial Services said the GoNET has come at the appropriate time when Ghana is the gateway to trade in West Africa.

He said information helps to develop or improve something. "Rich information gives you the faith in what you do," he added.

Mr. Amoabeng further said the foundation would open up the market for those in Diaspora. He also said it will serve as a medium for people outside to go more into investment rather than spending their monies on other things.

"Ghanaians outside Ghana are still employable in Ghana since they have all information and sort of exchanges in Ghana and outside," he added.