Ghanaian students pursuing higher education outside the country are set to engage policymakers, academics and industry players at the maiden Ghana Diaspora Students Forum (GDSF) aimed at harnessing their knowledge and global networks for national development.
The virtual forum, organised by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) Germany in partnership with NUGS UK and NUGS China, will focus on strengthening the role of Ghanaian students abroad beyond financial remittances.
Under the theme, “Pathways, Ecosystems and Diaspora as Development,” the forum seeks to create a platform for discussions on academic mobility, research partnerships, entrepreneurship, career opportunities and strategies to connect Ghana’s diaspora talent with national priorities.
A statement issued by the organisers said the event would bring together stakeholders from government, academia, business and civil society to explore ways of converting international education experiences into sustainable development solutions for Ghana.
General Secretary of NUGS Germany, Mr Simeon Mede, said Ghana’s diaspora community remained one of the country’s most educated and globally connected groups, but its contribution had often been viewed mainly through the lens of remittances.
He said the GDSF was designed to change that narrative by positioning Ghanaian students abroad as strategic partners in national transformation.
“The diaspora should not only be seen as a resource to be tapped but as a partner in shaping national outcomes,” the statement noted.
The Director of the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President, Mr Kofi Okyere-Darko, is expected to deliver the keynote address on Ghana’s policy direction and the role of students and young professionals abroad.
Other speakers scheduled for the event include Mr Raymond Höptner, a Member of the State Parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, and Pastor Daniel Amoateng, founder of the Young Professionals Business Network (YPBN).
The forum will also host a panel discussion featuring experts from academia, research institutions, industry and student leadership to deliberate on issues including international collaboration, technical education, student leadership and university-industry partnerships.
Organisers say recommendations from the engagement will be compiled into a communiqué to guide policymakers, educational institutions and development partners.
The GDSF is expected to become an annual platform for strengthening cooperation among Ghanaian student associations worldwide and promoting greater diaspora involvement in Ghana’s development agenda.
