UAGAG at Ghana Diaspora Engagement Project Colloquium in Accra

The Union of All Ghanaian Ass. in Germany – UGAG was invited to attend a colloquium in Accra, Ghana 22 – 24 August 2012 to discuss a broad range of topics relating to diaspora issues, as well as broad and strategic topics of relevance to the Ghanaian diaspora.

The Colloquium was attended by representatives from Germany, Holland, Italy, UK and USA. Germany was represented Mr. Daniel Dake ,President of UGAG, Mr. Ebenezer Issifu President Ghana Union MaLu, Ghana Mr. Ernest Ampedu Coordinator/Secretary Council NRW, and Mr. Victor Boadum Chairman Ghana Council Berlin.

Holland was represented by the following Organizations:

VOSAW by Madam Drothy Boatemah, COGHAN by Dr. Issac Adu Acheampong and RECOGIN by Dr. Toni Kofi.

Italy was represented by Mr. Somuah Kofi Omari, COGNAI - Council of Ghanaian Associations in Itlay , GHANAVI by Ms. Sagoe Antonieta and AHIO- Afro Italian Humanitarian Organization - ONLUS by Mr. Adjeikwei Adjei

UK was represented by Network for Diaspora Professional LTD., Mr. Henry Bediako, Mental Health Education in Diaspora Dr. Victor Deku, and Star Network by Mr. Richard Tandoh.

The USA was represented by GHANAM, Mr. Kwao Amegashie, NCOGA- National Council of Ghanaian Association by Mr. Mohammed Mardah, and Ghana Association of Greater Seattle by Mr. James Pappoe.

The session started with a welcome address by Ms. Dyane Epstein, Chief Of Mission, International Organization For Migration Ghana.

The session started with a welcome address by Ms. Dyane Epstein, Chief Of Mission, International Organization For Migration Ghana and an opening statement which was read on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Ambassador Chris Kpodo by Ebenezer Appreku, Director, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Regional Integration.

Presentations were made on the following topics: Protecting The Interest Of The Ghanaian Diaspora by Mr. Ebenezer Appreku, Director, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Regional Integration, Mr. Daniel Dake, Union Of Ghanaian Associations In Germany (UGAG).

Partnership For Economic Growth And Development: Foreign Direct Investments And Remittances by Mr. Joseph Acheampong, Research Department, Bank Of Ghana, Dr. Richard Adjei, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. Toni Kofi, The Representative Council Of Ghanaian Organizations In The Netherlands (RECOGIN)

Addressing The Challenge Of Dual Citizenship, Immigration And Residence Of The Ghanaian Diaspora was presented by Mr. David Agorsor, Director, Migration Unit, Ministry Of Interior. Dr. Prosper Asima, Assistant Director, Ghana Immigration Service, Mr. Kwao Amegashie, Ghana Association Of Minnesota.

Diaspora Participation in National Processes and Dialogue was presented by Ms. Mary Mpereh, The National Development Planning Commission, Dr. Raymond Atuguba, Executive Secretary, Constitution Review Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Mardah, National Council Of Ghanaian Associations, Inc, USA

Charitable Giving And Humanitarian Assistance: Understanding The Context: Project Management And Implementation In Ghana was presented by Dr. William Brown, The Adventist Development And Relief Agency (ADRA), Mr. Larbi-Siaw, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Isaac Acheampong, Council Of Ghanaian Organizations In The Netherlands (COGHAN).

Return and reintegration: opportunities and challenges was presented by Mr. David Tette, Advisor, Migration & Diaspora, The Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Gmbh, Mr. Daniel SAM, MIDA Project, IOM, Rev. Frank P. Twumasi, Scholars In Transit, Nkoranza, Brong Ahafo Region.