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Ministry institutes Diasporan Visa
Accra, Nov. 21, Ghanadot/GNA- Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng,
Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations on Wednesday
announced the institution of a Diasporan Visa to facilitate
and encourage many Diasporans to return to Ghana several
times and possibly invest in Ghana.
He announced also the offering of a DNA Map, to enable
Diasporans who take a DNA test to have the opportunity to
reconnect to their families in Africa.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng announced the steps in Parliament, in
answer to questions related to the Joseph Project by the
sector Ministry, in Accra, on Wednesday.
Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, MP for Wa West had asked whether
Joseph Project of the Ministry was not a duplication of the
already existing Emancipation and Panafest Programme, and
therefore a waste of national resources.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the Joseph Project, also called the
Akwaaba Anyemi, if anything would rather strengthen the
Panafest and Emancipation and programmes and make them
richer in content and enhance the personal experiences of
the Diasporans.
He said the Joseph Project is a series of activities aimed
at reaching [descendants of], forcibly uprooted from Africa
and have been lost to their homeland for more than 400
years.
The programme, which was launched this year, includes
activities such as a comprehensive education process for
home-comers and the Diasporans to minimize the cultural
shocks and conflicts that had occurred as natural
development which came about during to the 400 years
separation.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the a Nationwide Pilgrimage route
has been identified and it would be offered to visiting
Diasporans who would come to Ghana for Panafest,
Emancipation Day or any calling.
"Above all, the Akwaaba Anyemi Programme/Joseph Project
seeks to invite the African Diaspora to utilize their
resources to generate development and investment in Ghana in
particular and in Africa generally," Mr Asamoah-Boateng
said.
He added that the Ministry had developed a comprehensive
Tourism Policy to cover all aspects of tourism, adding; “The
document is before cabinet.”
GNA
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