The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin, has challenged the Ewe diaspora to leverage its extensive cultural and social networks not only to promote unity and preserve their heritage, but also to serve as a bridge for investment, economic development and improved livelihoods in Ghana.
He said the Ewe diaspora must move beyond sending remittances home and focus on creating sustainable wealth, businesses and opportunities in Ghana. “You have shown that culture should not only bring people together to celebrate. It can also bring people together to develop,” he said.
The Speaker made the call as Special Guest of Honour at celebrations marking the 33rd anniversary of the Council of Ewe Associations of North America (CEANA) in Washington, DC. He commended CEANA for its contributions since its establishment in 1993, particularly its support for education, healthcare and community development across Ghana. He noted that the association had provided scholarships and supported the construction of schools, libraries and other community facilities.
Speaker Bagbin, however, urged CEANA to deliberately connect its extensive diaspora network to investment and development opportunities in Ghana. He said the network could provide a platform for traditional leaders and other stakeholders to engage investors, universities, healthcare institutions, technology companies and development partners. Such partnerships, he noted, could support critical sectors including agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and enterprise.
The Member of the Council of State representing the Volta Region, H.E. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, reinforced the Speaker’s call, urging the Ewe diaspora to turn its connection to Ghana into measurable, transformative contributions. He called for greater unity among traditional, political and community leaders, stressing that the Volta Region’s development potential could only be realised through collective action.
He said young people across the region needed jobs, mentorship, access to markets, technology and functioning institutions rather than repeated assurances that Ghana had potential.
Speaking further, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, said Ghana’s recent economic stabilisation provides a stronger foundation for diaspora investment. “Stability is not the destination; it is the foundation,” he said, urging Ghanaians abroad to help convert the US$7.8 billion in remittances recorded in 2025 into long-term capital for businesses, agriculture, technology and other productive sectors.
Dr Asiama highlighted the formalisation of International Money Transfer Operators, the Remit2Invest strategy, and the Diaspora Engagement and Remittance Facilitation Office as mechanisms to support structured diaspora investment and to channel remittances towards long-term wealth creation.
The annual gathering brought together prominent personalities, including Ghana’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Victor Smith; H.E. Ben Dotsei Malor, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations; and Members of Parliament, among other dignitaries.