Ghana is expected to have at least 2000 members of its diaspora community converge on one knowledge sharing platform to brainstorm, network, receive training and share experiences on key matters of youth development and national policy.
The ‘Ghana Action Forum’, is curated to cover topics of interest to “Ahasporans” and “Diasporans” including; A New Frontier for Ghana; Trade and SME development; Leveraging Diaspora Human Capital; Youth Employability and skills; Green Investments; Boosting Arts and Culture through Storytelling, among others.
Speakers drawn from varied industry and governance backgrounds to deal with the various subjects include Mr. Selorm Adadevoh, CEO, MTN Ghana; Mr. Akwasi Awua-Ababio, Director, Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President; Ms. Lucy Quist, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley; Mr. Akwasi Agyemang, CEO, Ghana Tourism Agency; Ms. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, Executive Director, Ghana Enterprise Agency and Ms. Nicole Amarteifio, Executive Producer, An African City.
The first virtual and physical section coming off at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra on the 29th of December, will be followed by the Second Day of Virtual Events which will be crowned later in the evening at the Fitzgerald Garden in Cantonments, Accra with a night of Ghanaian excellence showcasing music, dinner and dancing.
Spearheads, Ahaspora which coins its name from ‘aha’ to wit here in the Twi language and the stem of diaspora has grown from a membership of ten to two thousand after it was formed 10 years ago to promote Brain Gain.
It has collaborated with several Ghanaians in the diaspora and agencies supporting the returnee transition, galvanizing those who have been abroad and returned home to make a difference, and building a bridge between those who left and those at home aptly depicting its motto “Here to Matter.”
In a statement copied to Kasapafmonline.com, the not for profit organization states that the event is expected to be, “a thought-leadership, people-centered, action-oriented event.”
Apart from its philanthropic work, Ahaspora which is marking its tenth year anniversary, has successfully mentored over 1,500 mentees in partnership with Ashesi University in Ghana, Yale and Brown University in the USA.
The organization is also credited for having partnered with corporate and government agencies, including GHL Bank (now FNB), Hollard Insurance, Ghana Tourism Development Board, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President executing diaspora engagement activities.
The Ghana Action Forum has already gained the buy-in of key organizations including; Enterprise Group, Fidelity Bank, ExpressPay, British High Commission, SNV, UNCDF and The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).
By: Ivan Heathcote – Fumador