The Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Audrey Smock Amoah, has highlighted Ghana’s efforts to use migration, remittances, and diaspora engagement as strategic tools for national development and the implementation of the United Nations Global Compact for Migration (GCM).

Speaking at the International Migration Review Forum 2026 in New York City, during a side event organised in collaboration with United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Dr. Amoah said Ghana is integrating migration, remittances, and diaspora issues into its national development planning systems to maximise their contribution to sustainable development.

The side event, themed “Remittances and Diaspora Contributions to Achieve the Global Compact for Migration Goals in Africa,” brought together key stakeholders and participants from across the globe, including government officials, development partners, academia, civil society organisations, migration experts, and international institutions to discuss strategies for leveraging migration for inclusive growth and sustainable development across Africa.

Dr. Amoah disclosed that remittance inflows into Ghana reached about US$7.8 billion in 2025, representing nearly six percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). She noted that the inflows continue to support household welfare, poverty reduction, and economic stability.

Improved macroeconomic conditions, including declining inflation, currency stability, and a stronger financial sector, have increased confidence in formal financial systems and encouraged the use of regulated remittance channels.

She highlighted that migration, remittances, and diaspora issues have been mainstreamed into Ghana’s Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies and operationalised through the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework under the theme, “Resetting Ghana Agenda: Creating Jobs, Ensuring Accountability and Promoting Shared Prosperity.”

She added that the National Implementation Plan on the Global Compact for Migration (2025–2027) outlines six priority areas, including diaspora engagement and remittances, labour migration, border management, return and reintegration, and anti-trafficking measures.

The side event formed part of the broader International Migration Review Forum 2026 reviewing global progress on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration adopted in 2018.

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