The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has charged the Office of Diaspora Affairs to speed up work on the Diaspora Development Policy document aimed at targeting more Ghanaians living abroad.

He said the policy once introduced, will attract and encourage Ghanaians in the Diaspora to bring their technical skills, money and investment opportunities back home for the growth and development.

Mr. Nkrumah was giving the key note address at the 2019 global media launch of the Ghana Diaspora Celebrations and Homecoming Summit in Accra on the theme “Recognising Diaspora Contributions towards Nation Building.”

He praised the immense contributions of the diaspora community and disclosed that the Akufo-Addo led government acknowledged the potential role that they can play in helping to stimulate the development agenda.

“The potential value of the diaspora community to the local economy is immeasurable and helps the President’s ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda,” the Minister said.

The Ofoase Ayirebi legislator said “many ideas and feedback from the Diaspora Homecoming summits have been put in good use, for example extending the duration of passports from five to 10 years and the recent measures by government to reduce port charges.

He also encouraged diaspora community to explore how to use technology to impact the growth agenda back home.

Mr. Nkrumah appealed to the community to spread the news globally about the upcoming summit which takes in July this year.