Pan-Africanist, migration and security analyst Roger TD Wills has urged Africans living abroad to return home and invest in the development of their countries.
Speaking at the Cleva Summit UK-Africa at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in London, United Kingdom, Mr Wills said members of the diaspora should begin building lasting legacies in Africa.
The summit was held under the theme “Building the Black Global Economy”.
Mr Wills, who is a member of the communications team of Ghana’s governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), said Africans abroad would eventually want to return to the continent and should therefore contribute to strengthening its economies.
“I am calling on all Africans to come back home, come and build a legacy; let us transform the face of Africa because no matter how long you stay here, one day you will have to come back home,” he said.
His comments come as awareness grows globally of the role diasporas can play in development. African diasporas, in particular, have increasingly been recognised as important sources of external financing and as potential development partners for their countries and continent of origin.
Their contribution can take several forms, including investment and participation in development efforts at home. Diaspora involvement has consequently become an increasingly important part of discussions about Africa’s economic progress.
In Ghana, investment from citizens living abroad has long been viewed as an engine of growth.
Over the past two decades, the country has made steady progress in developing policies and initiatives aimed at engaging its diaspora. This has included the introduction of a range of practical measures, the creation of a comprehensive diaspora engagement framework and continued efforts to encourage diaspora participation in Ghana’s development.
Ghana’s progress in this area has been considered relatively advanced compared with that of many other African countries. However, the country still faces the challenge of turning a supportive policy environment into effective implementation.
There remains a need to create mechanisms capable of mobilising more diaspora capital and positioning those resources for growth on a larger scale. The gap between policy and practical delivery continues to limit the full development impact of diaspora investment.
Mr Wills’ appeal was therefore focused on encouraging Africans abroad not only to consider returning to the continent, but also to play a direct role in building its economies and shaping its future.
