Government Proposes National Service Programme for Young Ghanaians in the Diaspora
The Government of Ghana has announced plans to introduce a Diaspora National Service Programme aimed at strengthening ties between young Ghanaians born and raised abroad and their country of origin. The initiative, however, is still at the proposal stage and has not yet been launched or approved for implementation.
The proposal was unveiled by the Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere-Darko, during the maiden Ghana Diaspora Students Forum (GDSF) 2026, held virtually and organised by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) chapters in Germany, the UK and China.
According to Mr. Okyere-Darko, the programme is intended to give young Ghanaians in the diaspora an opportunity to spend about two months in Ghana before entering university. During their stay, participants would be immersed in Ghana’s culture, institutions and society to strengthen their connection to the country and encourage long-term engagement in national development.
He explained that the government’s broader diaspora strategy is shifting beyond remittances and cultural engagement to include knowledge transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship, research and investment by Ghanaians living abroad. He also stressed that the objective is not to compel graduates to return permanently, but to ensure they remain connected to Ghana wherever they choose to build their careers.
