Kofi Okyere Darko Appointed Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs

His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, has appointed renowned media personality, fashion entrepreneur, and cultural ambassador Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD) as Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs.

With his extensive experience in connecting Ghana with its global diaspora, KOD’s appointment underscores President Mahama’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ghanaians abroad, fostering investment opportunities, and enhancing cultural and economic collaboration. 

KOD over the years has created a longstanding relationship with Diasporans through his Nineteen57 Events company and other programmes like RhythmsOnDaRunway.

He has over the years become the bridge between Diasporans and the Ghanaian creative economy.

Against this backdrop, he has collaborated with many of them on varied projects and awarded some for their immense contributions.

It is expected that with his background in Public Relations and Marketing, he would create the necessary stakeholder relations for the benefit of Ghana.

The Mandate of the Diaspora Affairs Office, Office of the President, Ghana

Established in February 2017 within the Office of the President, the Diaspora Affairs Office was created to recognize and harness the immense contributions of Ghanaians living abroad, with a special focus on engaging African Americans and the broader African diaspora in reconnecting with their ancestral homeland.

At its core, the office is dedicated to strengthening ties between Ghana and its diaspora community. It serves as a bridge, fostering meaningful connections, celebrating achievements, and encouraging active participation in Ghana’s socio-economic development.

A key focus of the office is youth engagement, working closely with Ghanaian youth organizations abroad to ensure that second and third-generation Ghanaians remain connected to their heritage. 

Additionally, the office maintains a comprehensive database of Ghanaians in the diaspora, streamlining their identification, location, and mobilization for national development.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Diaspora Affairs Office ensures that Ghanaians abroad have a direct link to government agencies, promoting investment and development initiatives that drive economic growth.

The office played a pivotal role in landmark initiatives such as the “Year of Return, Ghana 2019,”which commemorated 400 years since the first recorded arrival of enslaved Africans in Virginia, USA. 

This initiative not only encouraged the global African diaspora to visit Ghana but also positioned the country as a prime destination for cultural exchange and investment. 

Building on this success, the “Beyond the Return” initiative was launched as a 10-year program to sustain tourism, foster homecoming experiences, and enhance economic collaboration between Ghana and the diaspora.

Furthermore, the Diaspora Affairs Office has been instrumental in boosting Ghana’s tourism visibility by facilitating visits from top-tier Hollywood actors and influential figures of African descent. 

These high-profile visits have showcased Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and investment opportunities on a global stage.

Through its strategic initiatives, the Diaspora Affairs Office continues to position Ghana as the ultimate gateway for the African diaspora—unlocking opportunities in investment, knowledge transfer, technology, and cultural exchange while reaffirming the nation’s commitment to unity and progress.