By Francis Kokutse
ACCRA–Ghana wants to learn from India’s experience in harnessing the power of the diaspora, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Mahama Ayariga has said.
At a ceremony to mark India’s 67th Republic Day, Ayariga said India’s relationship with diaspora dates back to 1890 when the first Indian landed on the shores of Gold Coast — Ghana’s pre-independence name.
He said that since then the Indian diaspora have helped to contribute to the development of New Delhi’s economy.
Even before a formal diplomatic relationship was established with India after independence in 1957, New Delhi set up a Consul General in 1953, he said, and thanked India for the number of scholarships it provides to both students and government employees from Ghana.
Indian High Commissioner Jeeva Sagar said over 25 million Indians in the diaspora have helped to enrich culture and economies across the globe.
Sagar said since its independence, Ghana had emerged “victorious at every challenge thrown at her”, adding the country had become the model of stability, peace and rule of law guided by the spirit of democracy on the African continent.
Stating that Ghana had to deal with a few developmental issues in recent years, he said: “Ghana has the resilience and institutional strength to overcome the challenges of recent times.
“Such challenges are an inevitable phase in the life of every developing nation that endeavours to build a better tomorrow to her people.”
