Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, has called for a shift in how the country views its diaspora, urging greater focus on their potential to drive investment, innovation and economic growth.
She said Ghanaians living abroad, particularly those in the United Kingdom, should be regarded as more than a source of remittances, given the expertise, capital, business networks and international connections they have built over the years.
Mrs. Benson made the call on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when she delivered the keynote address at the Asante Business Summit – London International Leadership Roundtable at the Ghana High Commission.
“Our diaspora should increasingly be seen not only as a source of remittances, but as a powerful source of investment, knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship and international connections,” she said.
According to her, many Ghanaians in the UK have developed successful careers and businesses while building networks that could be connected to investment opportunities in Ghana.
“Many Ghanaians in the UK have built successful careers and businesses and developed valuable networks. We want to see more of that expertise, capital and experience connected to opportunities in Ghana,” she added.
Mrs. Benson said Ghana has opportunities across several sectors, including agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, tourism and the creative economy.
She noted, however, that the key challenge is to connect those opportunities with the capital, expertise, technology and international networks required to expand them.
She said the Ghana High Commission, through its economic diplomacy mandate, is committed to helping connect investors with credible opportunities in Ghana and linking local businesses with international partners.
Ghana as gateway to Africa
The High Commissioner also urged investors to look beyond Ghana’s domestic market when considering investment opportunities in the country.
She pointed to Ghana’s hosting of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying this reinforces the country’s position as a gateway to the wider African market.
“For businesses and investors, Ghana can therefore serve not simply as a destination, but as a platform from which to build, produce, innovate and expand into markets across Africa and beyond,” she said.
Mrs. Benson challenged participants at the summit to focus on building businesses in Ghana that can compete internationally.
“The question we should increasingly ask is ‘What can we build together in Ghana that can compete internationally?’” she asked.
She expressed hope that the discussions would translate into concrete partnerships and investment projects that create jobs and add value locally.
She urged participants to identify credible opportunities and connect serious investors with Ghanaian partners to support economic development.
“Let us deliver tangible results for Asanteman, and ultimately for Ghana as a whole,” she said.
