2025 Diaspora Summit: Visa-Free Entry for Africans and Diaspora

Ghana is set to host the 2025 Diaspora Summit, a landmark event aimed at redefining the nation’s relationship with its global community. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced at a media launch in Accra that Ghana will treat its diaspora as the nation’s “17th Region” and has waived visa requirements for all Africans and people of African descent traveling to Ghana for the summit.

A Step Towards Reunification and Justice

The summit, scheduled to take place in Accra from December 19-20, 2025, seeks to embrace the diaspora as vital co-partners in national development. Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that the gathering is not just about remittances or festivities but about reunification, justice, and charting a permanent path of collaboration. “We seek nothing but justice, we seek nothing but truth, we seek nothing but our reunification,” he stated.

Leadership in the Global Reparations Movement

Ghana will continue to champion the African Union’s campaign for reparations, with President John Dramani Mahama’s mandate extended to 2036. The Minister clarified that this effort is not about monetary gain but about restoring dignity and achieving closure for historical injustices. A special conference on reparations will be a key feature of the summit.

Government’s Commitment to Diaspora Engagement

Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to harnessing the diaspora’s potential for national transformation. She stressed that the Office of the President, in collaboration with the Diaspora Affairs Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has worked tirelessly to ensure the summit leads to “tangible impact” in areas like investment, innovation, and cultural exchange.

Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs

Kofi Okyere Darko, Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs, reinforced the summit’s core mission, stating that the diaspora is not “apart from Ghana, but a part of Ghana.” He highlighted their value beyond remittances, noting that their collective wealth approaches $2 trillion and their skills, networks, and cultural depth are a “monumental resource” for the nation.

Diaspora Engagement Policy

Mr. Okyere Darko announced a new Diaspora Engagement Policy that will institutionalize partnerships with 27 ministries and agencies. The summit will be the pinnacle of these efforts, with a call to action for the private sector, the diaspora, and the media to work together to build bridges and break barriers.

Awards Night and Website Launch

The Diaspora Summit will feature an awards night to celebrate the contributions of Ghanaians and people of African descent globally. The government has also launched a website, diasporasummitghana.org for all relevant information, including event booking and award nominations.