Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Initiative, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, has called on Ghanaians living abroad to play a more active role in Ghana’s economic transformation by investing in export-oriented industries, transferring technical expertise, and partnering with local businesses.
Addressing a Town Hall Engagement with diaspora Ghanaians in London during President John Dramani Mahama’s five-day high-level visit to the United Kingdom, Mr. Tanoh said the success of the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative would depend significantly on the participation of Ghanaians both at home and abroad.
The engagement, organised by the Ghana High Commission in London, provided a platform for President Mahama and his delegation to interact with members of the Ghanaian community in the UK, update them on developments back home, and explore ways of strengthening diaspora participation in national development.
Mr. Tanoh used the occasion to present progress made under the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Initiative, while outlining investment opportunities available to the diaspora.
He appealed to Ghanaians abroad to channel part of their resources into productive sectors of the economy, particularly export-driven value chains capable of generating jobs, increasing foreign exchange earnings, and supporting industrial growth.
According to him, the initiative seeks to transform Ghana from an import-dependent economy into a competitive export-led economy by promoting round-the-clock production, value addition, and industrialisation.
“The diaspora possesses not only financial capital but also knowledge, technology, skills and international networks that can help accelerate Ghana’s economic transformation,” he said.
Mr. Tanoh noted that diaspora investments could be directed towards sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, logistics, tourism, renewable energy, and digital services.
He stressed that beyond remittances, which continue to serve as a major source of foreign exchange for Ghana, the country needed long-term investments that would create sustainable jobs and support local production.
The Presidential Advisor strategically opened his presentation with an overview of Ghana’s improving macroeconomic performance under President Mahama’s administration since January 2025, highlighting gains in economic stability, inflation management, exchange rate performance and investor confidence.
He argued that these improvements had created a more favourable environment for business expansion and investment.
Mr. Tanoh said government was implementing policies aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, improving access to finance, strengthening infrastructure and enhancing export competitiveness to support the 24-Hour Economy agenda.
He explained that the initiative was designed to increase productivity by encouraging businesses, industries and public institutions to operate beyond traditional working hours where feasible, thereby maximising the use of existing infrastructure and creating additional employment opportunities.
The initiative also places strong emphasis on accelerated export development through the establishment of integrated value chains linking production, processing, packaging, logistics and international markets.
Mr. Tanoh urged diaspora professionals to contribute technical expertise and mentorship to local enterprises, educational institutions and start-ups, noting that knowledge transfer was just as important as financial investment.
He said government was committed to creating stronger partnerships between the diaspora and local industries to facilitate technology adoption, innovation and skills development.
Participants at the Town Hall engagement raised questions on investment opportunities, business regulations, skills transfer mechanisms and measures being implemented to sustain Ghana’s economic recovery.
The event forms part of broader efforts by the Mahama administration to deepen engagement with the Ghanaian diaspora, which has increasingly been recognised as a key development partner through remittances, investment, trade connections and professional expertise.
Government officials believe stronger diaspora participation could play a critical role in achieving the objectives of the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Initiative, while helping position Ghana as a leading industrial and export hub within the West African sub-region.
