Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has encouraged Ghanaian students completing their studies in the U.S. to consider returning home to apply their skills toward national development, particularly in support of the government’s 24-hour industrialisation agenda.

He said Ghanaian students abroad acquire critical expertise that can be harnessed for national priority programmes, noting that the country’s industrial and economic transformation will depend largely on skilled human capital and sustained diaspora engagement.

Ambassador Smith made the call when the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG), USA, paid a courtesy visit to him at the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., to discuss challenges facing Ghanaian graduate students in the United States and to explore ways of strengthening diaspora contributions to national development.

He commended GRASAG for its proactive student advocacy and emphasised the need for structured partnerships between the Embassy and Ghanaian student associations abroad, stressing that such collaboration is essential not only for educational support but also for advancing Ghana’s broader development goals.

Touching on the government’s 24-hour industrialisation agenda, Ambassador Smith said the knowledge and experience Ghanaian students gain in the U.S. can drive industrial expansion, innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment at home.

He added that returning graduates offer more than technical skills, bringing with them global exposure and professional networks that could help unlock new growth opportunities for the country.

Ambassador Smith praised the delegation for its dedication and reiterated the Embassy’s commitment to serving as a bridge between Ghanaian students, diaspora professionals, and opportunities in Ghana.

The delegation led by the President of GRASAG, Yao Kuwornu, also briefed the Ambassador on GRASAG’s ongoing initiatives, including mentorship programmes, networking events, and community outreach activities aimed at supporting Ghanaian students and connecting them to opportunities in both the U.S. and Ghana.

Following the meeting, both parties agreed to pursue practical collaborative initiatives, including scholarship facilitation, strengthened mentorship platforms, and the creation of pathways to integrate the skills of Ghanaian students into diaspora-led businesses and national development programmes.

The Embassy and GRASAG further committed to sustaining regular engagement to support Ghanaian students abroad and deepen collaboration with the wider diaspora community.