Non Resident Ghanaians are our partners in Devt - Nduom.

Papa Kwesi Nduom, a CPP presidential aspirant promised to set up a Non Resident Ghanaian Home Coming Directorate to coordinate skills transfer and practical help between the Diaspora and their counter parts in Ghana during a telephone interview he granted this writer from United States.

During the past 30 – 20 years Non Resident Ghanaians have acquired various practical skill set and career full of experiences and expertise.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said many of the NRG in this group are looking for opportunities to give back to Ghana. Papa Kwesi Nduom cites the doctors and dentists, nurses, teachers/lecturers, accountants, engineers, police officers and other professionals whose skills he said can benefit the country immensely. Papa Kwesi Nduom said, “apart from the large inflows from the NRG, they also have practical knowledge of the issues confronting their homeland. He said investment opportunities in the country are huge, especially in the light manufacturing, telecommunications and IT, oil and gas sector alternative energy sector and wants the Diaspora group to take the opportunity to invest home.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said the minister for the Diaspora Relations will be a Diaspora with a place at the cabinet.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said about 60% of the population lives in the villages. Of this he said almost 50% lives below the poverty level. He said while Ghana can be proud of the huge inflows and other developments coming into the country from her nationals overseas, the benefits of these inflows and developments have helped only about 30% of the population. Papa Kwesi Nduom said Ghana will not become a middle income country by ignoring 80% of its people.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said our large metropolises are overpopulated and their infrastructure is breaking down. Nduom cited the recent floods in the 3 northern regions and the fire in Kumasi metropolis as some of the problems that confront us. He said the crises were compounded because the infrastructure in place was not adequate. Papa Kwesi Nduom said the problems in the cities can be attributed to migration from the local villages.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said, “by increasing the number of villagers and slum dwellers above the poverty level and making them economically viable, we can reduce migration to the cities and increase food production”.

Nduom named 10 key projects that he would like to see huge investment from the NRG: Water provision, Food production, Housing, Infrastructure – Health, Education, Power (alternative energy), and Micro credit, Medical, Telecom and ITC. He said NRG will have access to all areas of the economy to invest and said with a minister coming from among their group (and sitting in the cabinet) their voices would be heard across where ever they are in the world.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said the Diaspora Home Coming program will commence the day after a CPP president takes office. He said the DHC program will be centrally coordinated in Ghana. This he said will allow a uniform of set guidelines for all DHC Volunteers/Investors. Papa Kwesi Nduom said, “we hope to create a single point of authority to support NRG with a chief coordinator ( a Diaspora) and a help desk in Accra, and support clerks in the entire Ghana embassies world wide”.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said periodic meetings, both physical and virtual, will be organised in Ghana to assist NRG’s to share their experiences. Papa Kwesi Nduom said each Diaspora organisation or individual will identify a particular project in the city or the village in Ghana and his government will support them.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said, “CPP see the Diasporas as our