Ghana to host business seminar for Africans in the Diaspora

Accra, May 25, GNA - The managements of AFFORD and IntEnt Ghana are hosting the first business seminar for Africans in the Diaspora and Ghanaian entrepreneurs in Accra this Friday, May 28. The seminar under the theme, "Business in Ghana: Role of the Diaspora" would create a platform for participants to engage and build partnerships, as well as developing a network.

A statement issued in Accra on Tuesday and signed by Nadia Takyeawo-Mensah of EMS International Media said the seminar would discuss issues and challenges that Africans in the Diaspora face in transacting business in Ghana, and provide direction and support for entrepreneurs. "With the increasing number of Africans in the Diaspora returning to Ghana for business or employment, their efforts are revealing many disparities between themselves and local entrepreneurs," it added. The statement said reality of the Diaspora's presence had caused some resentment in the local business community, whilst many others embraced it and looked on how to build key relationships.

It said for some of the Africans in the Diaspora, there were serious hurdles that they faced which were difficult to overcome as they had the expectations and notions based on the West.

"The reality of living in a 'Third World country' with a 'Western mindset' is proving a challenge, and for some, too difficult," it added. The managements of AFFORD and IntEnt, have established an entrepreneurship development programme for the REMADE project, an EU co-funded project for people who want to start business or establish an affiliate of their business in Ghana.

The REMADE project is taking steps to assist Ghana meet her Millennium Development Goals and contribute to the eight million jobs identified by UNECA that are needed to create sustained development in Africa. The project offers business support in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana and aims at ensuring that new business start-ups have strong chance of succeeding. 25 May 10