Minority MPs Meet Ghana High Commissioner to Canada to Discuss Diaspora Welfare and Bilateral Relations
A delegation of Members of Parliament from the Minority Caucus has held discussions with Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Professor Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, on national development priorities, diaspora welfare, and the state of Ghana–Canada relations.
The MPs, currently in Canada on a capacity-building programme, paid a courtesy call on the High Commissioner at her official residence in Ottawa. The meeting centred on issues affecting Ghanaians living abroad and explored avenues for deepening cooperation between the two countries.
Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the Member of Parliament for Weija Gbawe and Second Deputy Minority Whip, said the visit served as an important platform for legislators to gain deeper insight into the experiences and concerns of Ghanaians in the diaspora. He noted that the discussions also examined how Parliament could help address challenges facing Ghanaian communities abroad while advancing the country’s broader development agenda.
The engagement comes at a time when Ghana’s diaspora policy is under increasing scrutiny. Earlier discussions between Minority legislators and Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Canada had already flagged the need for more structured engagement with citizens abroad, particularly around remittance channels, consular services and dual citizenship rights.
Beyond diaspora concerns, the meeting also considered ways of strengthening the longstanding relations between Ghana and Canada. The two countries have maintained diplomatic ties for decades, with Canada consistently ranking among Ghana’s significant development partners, particularly in education, governance and economic development.
Mr Shaib expressed gratitude to Professor Edu-Buandoh for the warm reception and described the interaction as vital in bridging the gap between policymakers and the realities facing Ghanaians abroad. He further commended the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for sponsoring the parliamentary training programme, saying it enhances the capacity of MPs and exposes them to international best practices in governance and public service.
The visit forms part of a broader capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening MPs’ knowledge and effectiveness in discharging their legislative and oversight duties. For the Minority Caucus, the trip represents an opportunity to engage directly with diplomatic officials and diaspora communities, rather than relying solely on official briefings from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ghana’s High Commission in Ottawa has in recent years sought to deepen its engagement with the estimated tens of thousands of Ghanaians residing in Canada, a community that contributes significantly to the country’s economy through remittances and skills transfer.
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