Ghana Launches 'Region 17' Initiative to Drive Diaspora-Led Development

Aug 3, 2026 - 03:19

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Ghana Launches 'Region 17' Initiative to Drive Diaspora-Led Development

Ghana's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Emmanuel Smith

A new initiative designed to mobilise the intellectual, professional, entrepreneurial, financial and cultural resources of Ghanaians living abroad for national development has been launched in Washington, D.C., under the theme "Harnessing the Power of the Diaspora to Transform Ghana's Future".

Dubbed "Region 17", the initiative seeks to institutionalise the role of the Ghanaian diaspora in the country's development by creating a structured platform through which Ghanaians abroad can contribute more effectively to Ghana's economic transformation.

The launch, held along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., brought together members of the Ghanaian diaspora, business leaders, professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders committed to strengthening ties between Ghana and its citizens overseas.

Ghana's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Emmanuel Smith, attended the event as the Special Guest Speaker, where he underscored the critical role of the diaspora in advancing Ghana's development agenda.

Also in attendance was the Presidential Advisor on the Economy, Seth Terkper, who called for a renewed approach to harnessing the expertise, investment and financial resources of Africans living abroad.

According to Mr Terkper, both Ghana and the wider African continent must rethink how diaspora resources are mobilised and deployed to support sustainable economic development and national transformation.

The Region 17 initiative is expected to strengthen engagement between Ghana and its global diaspora by providing a coordinated framework for investment, knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, innovation and cultural exchange.

Organisers say the platform reflects a growing recognition that Ghanaians abroad represent a strategic national asset whose expertise, networks and resources can play a significant role in accelerating the country's socio-economic development.

The initiative also aims to deepen collaboration between the government, the private sector and the diaspora to unlock new opportunities for investment, job creation and inclusive growth.