Ghana must look beyond remittances and tap the investment, expertise and international networks of its diaspora to accelerate economic development, an Assistant Professor in marketing at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, Dr Samuel Kusi, has said.
He said Ghanaians living abroad represented an important pool of skills, capital and connections that could support entrepreneurship, investment, innovation and access to international markets.
Dr Kusi, who is also Head of Branding and Partnership at the Ghana Scholarly Society (GSS), made the observation in an interview with the Daily Graphic ahead of the Ghana-Yorkshire Trade, Investment and Partnership Summit (GYTIPS 2026) scheduled for September 11 and 12 at the University of Bradford.
Summit
The summit on the theme “Yorkshire Leading the New Regional Business, Trade and Investment Agenda for Innovation and Sustainable Growth,” will bring together an estimated 150 to 200 business leaders, investors, exporters, policymakers, academics, professional advisers and diaspora entrepreneurs from Ghana and the United Kingdom.
It is being organised by SHOFT (Shape Our Future Together), in collaboration with the Ghana High Commission, UK and Ireland, the Ghana Scholarly Society, the University of Bradford School of Management and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Untapped resource
Dr Kusi said diaspora contributions should extend beyond financial transfers to include investment capital, professional expertise, technology, mentorship, business networks and knowledge transfer.
“Diaspora engagement must go beyond remittances.
There is a wealth of knowledge, expertise, networks and investment capacity that can contribute to Ghana’s economic transformation,” he said.
Dr Kusi said stronger links between the diaspora and institutions in Ghana could create opportunities in education, research, entrepreneurship, technology and investment.
Key speakers
He said expected speakers at the summit include the Ghana High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland, Zita Sarbah Benson; the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Ghomashie.
Others are the Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem; Professor Yvonne Moogan of the University of Bradford; Dr Kweku Adams, Associate Professor of International Business and Management at the university and Prince Osei-Tutu, Co-Founder of Taptap Send.
Practical outcomes
Dr Kusi said the summit would provide an opportunity to examine how stronger Ghana-Yorkshire links could support trade, investment, entrepreneurship, innovation, education and research.
He said the broader objective was to facilitate meaningful connections that could lead to investment, joint ventures, knowledge exchange and sustainable partnerships.
