In recent times, the conversations regarding social interconnection, globalization and development have taken a different direction. More Africans are migrating and contributing to the stock of skilled Diaspora.
It is worthwhile exploring how that affects Ghana’s development. Especially as the benefits of globalization and global expansion is overlooked with respect to Africans and how this new movement can benefit us as a continent.
In this article, we’ll be talking about how the diaspora can contribute to Ghana’s development.
Economic Contributions Impact Development
Firstly, migration and economic development can go hand and hand.
In The Diaspora & Economic Development in Africa by Blaise Gnimassoun and John C. Anyanwu, it is observed that travel does not always leave the brain drain effect on a country’s per capita income.
Instead, the presence of Africans in more developed countries could lead to the betterment of the lives of family and social networks back home.
Money transfers and other forms of financial support improve the lives of family and social groups back in the migrant’s country of origin. This phenomenon disproves the argument that Africans traveling abroad damages their country’s macro economies.
Also, Africans across the Diaspora can come together to create Tourism & Diaspora Relationship Ministries in their countries of origin. This cements the pipeline from home and abroad, making room to foster relationships and development through tourism and travel.
According to research findings by Ebenezer Adjei in Harnessing the Potentials of The Ghanaian Diaspora, these actions impact development in the countries of origin of migrants.
Specifically, they allow for Diasporan Africans to journey home through Return festivals and contribute their money to local systems and infrastructure.
Knowledge Transfer Impacts Development
It is important for African countries to establish institutions and channels to transfer knowledge, technologies and experiences that inform development policies. Examples of these are the Artisan Hub set up by the African Fashion Foundation, African Development Bank and the African Diaspora Summer School.
This transfer of knowledge is relevant as our world continues to become more globalized and interconnected. It also serves as a platform to educate local citizens on the nature of life abroad, and can be a channel for skill development for global competition.
The African Fashion Foundation’s Artisan Hub is a brilliant example of these efforts, as they train artisans and craftspeople in skills in producing luxury products through ancient Ghanaian techniques in order to upskill and become competitive in their pipeline programs for global exposure.
Fair Business Impacts Development
Diasporan Africans who aim to improve the livelihoods of local citizens back in Africa have to be fair in their business practices. A lot of push factors that lead Africans to migrate across the globe are low wages and scarce opportunities.
Developed countries abroad provide better job opportunities with the salaries to match, along with good infrastructure, access to amenities and career development opportunities.
For the interest of even development and fairness, Diasporan Africans who are interested in improving livelihoods and economies back home have the responsibility of paying their workers livable wages that match their equivalent abroad.
This will slowly reduce income inequality and currency devaluation back home such that constantly rising costs of living do not render people’s livelihoods redundant.
The Future of The Diaspora
In Summation, Globalization has modified our world and our relationship with travel and development. As global and local citizens with vested interest in the development of Africa, we owe it to ourselves to reinforce community values and share knowledge and experiences.
It is only through unification and mental emancipation from oppression that we can truly achieve freedom and thrive.
We can grow beyond where we are now when the diaspora contributes to Africa’s development.
Stronger together, always.
Everything is very open with a really clear clarification of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your site is very useful. Many thanks for sharing!