President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the growing importance of Ghanaians living abroad, describing the diaspora as a “virtual 17th region” of the country due to their significant economic and social contributions.
Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting in London during his five-day official visit to the United Kingdom, President Mahama said the diaspora has become an integral part of Ghana’s development architecture, particularly through remittances and professional contributions.
He noted that Ghanaian remittances from abroad reached a record high of over $7.8 billion in the past year, stressing that this figure alone places the diaspora among the country’s most important economic contributors.
According to him, the scale of diaspora contributions in some cases surpasses the output of several physical regions in Ghana, reinforcing their strategic role in national development.
“We have 16 physical regions in Ghana, but we have one virtual region which is our diaspora abroad,” he said, highlighting the need to formally recognise their influence.
President Mahama also revealed that government is advancing constitutional and legislative reforms aimed at expanding political participation for Ghanaians abroad. The proposed changes would allow dual citizens and diaspora Ghanaians to contest parliamentary and ministerial positions.
He explained that the reforms are part of a broader constitutional review process currently before Parliament, aimed at modernising Ghana’s governance framework and strengthening inclusion.
In a personal reference, he described the initiative as informally linked to the experiences of former MP James Gyakye Quayson, noting the legal challenges he faced as a catalyst for broader reform discussions on dual citizenship and political participation.
The President reiterated that the government views the diaspora not only as financial contributors but also as partners in governance and national transformation.
Meanwhile, Councillor Dawn Barnes, Mayor of Haringey, commended Ghanaians in the United Kingdom for their positive impact on British society, particularly in healthcare, where many serve as nurses and medical professionals.
The engagement formed part of efforts to strengthen ties between Ghana and its diaspora community, with renewed emphasis on investment, remittances and political inclusion as key pillars of national development.
