Ghana received $6.6 billion in diaspora remittances in 2023, significantly exceeding foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of $1.73 billion, according to Kofi Okyere Darko, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President.
The figures highlight the growing economic impact of global Ghanaians, whose financial contributions now outstrip traditional development aid and investment flows.
Speaking at the launch of December’s Global Africa Summit in Accra, Darko described remittances as transformative capital rather than charity. “We are entering a record-breaking era of growth and opportunity,” he said. “The question is whether we’re ready to channel these resources wisely.” World Bank data shows Ghana as sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest remittance recipient, with the 2023 total of $4.6 billion already playing a vital role in economic stabilization.
The government plans to maximize diaspora engagement through a new Inter-Sectoral Implementation Committee coordinating 28 ministries and agencies. Key initiatives include a National Diaspora Summit in December 2025, citizenship drives, development funding mechanisms, and digital platforms like a 24-hour diaspora hotline. Darko emphasized that the Global Africa Summit focused on trade, investment and innovation will form part of this strategic framework to convert diaspora connections into measurable development outcomes.
