Remittances
Global remittance flows total nearly $100 billion annually, which is about twice as large as official development assistance. Various activities to increase and enhance the effectiveness of remittances have resulted dramatic increase in remittances flows from the Diaspora. The Migrant Remittances July Newsletter highlighted the following.

• US $3.5billion flows a 24% growth in remittances to the Philippines attributed to new financial products offers
  
  
• 26% rise to $4.9 billion attributed to policies taken by the government of Bangladesh and Central Bank to increase flows through formal channels and initiatives by commercial banks directed at attracting remittances possibly contributory facts to the growth

This emphasis the critical role of developing new financial products, government regulations and policies and commercial banks play in harnessing the flow of remittances by the Diaspora

According to World Bank figures, private inward transfer from non -governmental organizations, individuals and other institutions through the bank of Ghana and other financial institutions, as at January to November 2006, stood at $4.25billion, making the largest source of foreign exchange into the country. Additionally figures released by the central bank as remittances for the first quarter of 2007 also indicated $1.52 billion representing an increase of about 17.1% over the same period last year. Minister of Finance, Hon Kwadwo Baah Wiredu is quoted as saying that remittances over the years has played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the country and also emerging as one of the foremost contributors to Ghana's GDP Source: Ghanaian Chronicle 2nd August 2007

Recruitment- Engaging Skills of the Diaspora in Ghana

The knowledge and skills of the Diaspora is an additional source of engagement for countries to tap into in building the capacity and capabilities of organisations and ultimately the country. The event is aimed at galvanising the Ghanaian Diaspora of all generations in celebrating Ghana’s independence and harness their skills, knowledge and investment in the continued economic development of Ghana.

AfricaRecruit survey of the Diaspora in 2006 indicated that over half left Africa for career professional reasons with a least over 70% of the respondents indicating that they had plans to return back home at some point in time and will like to explore how they can use their knowledge and skills in their country of origin development. Creating an environment to engage directly with potential employers will enable the Diaspora to make informed decisions.

The proposed conference is aimed at mobilizing and engaging the Diaspora, particularly in Europe and mainly in the United Kingdom to ensure that there is greater skills utilisation and investment by the Diaspora communities to the country. During the conference, key speakers will be invited from Ghana and the Diaspora to inform and engage these groups on the various opportunities in the country.

• Ghanaian Diaspora
• Private Sector from Ghana
• Government Officials
• Donors/Multilateral organisations
• Diaspora Media