Ghanaians living abroad sent home a record US$7.8 billion last year, a figure larger than the total economic output of several regions within the country.
The number, described as a historic high, puts the Ghanaian diaspora among the most significant contributors to the country’s economy, outpacing entire administrative regions in the value they generate for Ghana.
President John Dramani Mahama disclosed the figure at a diaspora town hall in London on the sidelines of a UK investment visit, telling Ghanaians gathered that the contribution had not gone unnoticed.
“You have earned your place as the 17th Region of Ghana,” he said. “We have 16 physical regions, but we also have one virtual region, the Ghanaian diaspora.”
To match recognition with something concrete, President Mahama said proposals had been included in the constitutional review process to allow dual citizens abroad to contest parliamentary seats and hold ministerial positions, a move that would dismantle longstanding legal barriers to political participation for Ghanaians outside the country.
The remittance figure landed as Mahama sought to tell a broader story of recovery.
Ghana has exited its IMF Extended Credit Facility programme after what he described as a turbulent handover, one where almost every performance targets the previous government had committed to was off track by the time his administration took office.
“When you are ill, you sometimes need to take bitter medicine before you get better,” he said, defending the difficult decisions his government had to make early on. “The sacrifices made by Ghanaians have paid off. Ghana is back on track. Ghana is working again.”
The country was now being held up at World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings as a model for other nations to study. Non-oil growth exceeded seven percent, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and digital services.
The energy sector, carrying an inherited debt of approximately US$1.5 billion, was being stabilised, with a rebuilt US$500 million World Bank guarantee securing increased gas supplies from ENI. Ghana was also preparing to refine its own crude oil domestically again and intended to process at least half of its cocoa locally.
On governance, about 36 investigations into alleged misuse of public office were active. “Accountability should not be delayed until a change of government,” the President said, adding that blockchain tools were being deployed in public financial management and that artificial intelligence was already working at ports to reduce revenue leakages.
President Mahama delivered his London remarks between a schedule that included a breakfast meeting with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, a courtesy call on King Charles III, and a lecture at Chatham House.
“Ghana remains committed to constructive engagement with all nations. We are friends to all and enemies to none,” he said.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
