Ghana

'Strengthening African and Middle Eastern Diaspora Policy through South-South Exchange' (AMEDIP) is a project of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), developed and implemented within the framework of the Dialogue on Mediterranean Transit Migration (MTM). More specifically, AMEDIP builds directly upon the previous MTM initiative 'Linking Emigrant Communities for More Development - Inventory of Institutional Capacities and Practices', implemented by ICMPD and IOM in the period 2009 - 2010.

This objective is to make diaspora investment and remittances more productive and effective and to connect western markets and emerging markets.

The Diaspora Business Centre is a one stop shop that combines business and social interests, paired with professional know-how by diaspora experts.

Their activities entail the following:

In order to assist the Government in financing development, Financial Bonds have been offered targetting the Diaspora. The Ministry of Finance has been working with the Bank of Ghana to reduce the cost of remittances while enhancing its use for investment (as opposed to mainly for consumption). Currently, there is a World Bank project being coordinated by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning looking at remittances in Ghana.

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) grants tax incentives to diaspora, including through lower customs duties and fees, reduction in income tax rates, lower tariffs on equipment for investment, and tax deductions on charitable goods. 

Ghana, the “shining star” of Africa at independence in 1957, experienced political and economic shocks that led to a deterioration of living standards. From the mid nineties, macroeconomic stability has improved considerably and Ghana’s democratic gains were impressive. At the moment, Ghana faces no external threats and plays a key stabilising role in the otherwise troubled West African Region.

Ghanaian migration has increasingly become extra-regional. Although the majority of Ghanaian emigrants still stay within West Africa, a growing proportion is migrating to a diverse range of countries outside the region. According to 2008 estimates, Ghanaian migrants can be found in more than 33 countries around the world. While any Ghanaians leave for more far-reaching destinations, many of them also return either temporarily or permanently to Ghana.

The UK has bilateral co-operations with remittance receiving countries to support their financial sector development, which include the support of mobile banking technology in Kenya and elsewhere in Eastern Africa, and the development of a debit card infrastructure in South Africa.

The overall objective of MIDA (Migration for Development in Africa) is to assist African governments to achieve their development goals through the creation and strengthening of sustainable links between migrants and their countries of origin.

MIDA focuses on the circulation of competencies, expertise and experience of the Diasporas, without jeopardizing their legal status in their host countries or newly adopted home countries.