Africa-Press – Ghana. The Bank of Ghana (B0G) has encouraged Ghanaians in the diaspora to invest more of their remittances in businesses and development projects rather than using them mainly for consumption.
The move is aimed at unlocking the full economic value of remittances to support growth and stability.
Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, Governor of the BoG, made the call at the “Central Bank Bridge: Remit2Invest” diaspora roundtable in Virginia, held on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings.
He said while remittances continued to play a vital role in supporting households, education and the balance of payments, they could do much more if channelled into productive investments.
Ghana received about US$7.8 billion in remittances in 2025, making it one of the country’s most reliable sources of foreign exchange.
“Diaspora inflows have long supported household consumption and macroeconomic stability, but beyond consumption, remittances hold even greater potential as a driver of productive investment,” Dr Asiama said.
He pointed to sectors such as small and medium-sized enterprises, housing, agriculture and youth employment as areas where diaspora funds could make a significant impact.
Dr Asiama said the Central Bank was taking steps to make it easier and more attractive for diaspora investors to commit funds to long-term ventures.
These include reforms to improve transparency in the foreign exchange market, stronger payment systems, and updated regulations to ensure efficiency and investor protection.
Dr Asiama said a National Remittance Strategy, being developed with the Ministry of Finance, would guide efforts to better harness diaspora funds, alongside a planned roadshow to engage Ghanaians abroad.
“These initiatives are designed to complement the Bank’s recently issued regulatory guidelines for International Money Transfer Operators, which tighten oversight of inward remittances and enhance consumer protection,” he explained.
The BoG Governor also called for closer collaboration among banks, fintech companies, development partners and diaspora groups to develop competitive investment options.
“Today’s summit provides an important platform to move from dialogue to implementation, linking diaspora capital to investment opportunities and supporting long-term financial stability,” he said.
Ambassador Jane Gasu Aheto, Deputy Head of Mission at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, DC, said Government was committed to creating the right environment for diaspora investments.
She said the Remit2Invest initiative would help redirect remittances into entrepreneurship, infrastructure and small business development, assuring investors that their funds would be protected.
“By aligning remittances with strategic investment opportunities, we can accelerate our journey towards inclusive and sustainable development. Let this occasion be remembered as one that transforms remittances into engines of growth,” she said.
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