Deepen Diaspora Engagement beyond Tourism – Ghana Urged
By Nii Trebi Hammond
An international social worker, Barry Knighton, has commended Ghana for the success of the Year of Return initiative but is urging authorities to deepen diaspora engagement beyond tourism.
According to him, the campaign sparked a wave of interest among Africans in the diaspora to visit Ghana — many of whom had previously been hesitant to travel to the continent. Knighton, who works extensively with African diaspora communities, said this increased interest presents a golden opportunity for Ghana to forge long-term development partnerships.
“The number of people in the diaspora who have either visited Ghana, are planning to, or are now interested in coming has increased like never before,” he noted.
However, he believes that the focus must now shift from mere visits to impactful collaborations. He is calling for structured platforms that connect vetted local NGOs with international nonprofit organisations for joint projects in education, health, social work, and more.
“There are a lot of organisations in the States that want to come. Ghana can facilitate partnerships by creating vetted lists of credible organisations and holding conferences or exchange events to foster collaboration,” he suggested.
Knighton also proposed the formation of an international association of diaspora-focused NGOs to support local development efforts and deepen Ghana’s ties with Africans abroad.
“Don’t just come and tour—come and impact,” he emphasized, urging the government and development agencies to sustain the momentum created by the Year of Return and extend it into areas that can transform communities. He concluded that Ghana’s welcoming image and rising international profile must now be matched with a bold strategy for diaspora-led development.
