The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) on March 26, 2025, organised an inception meeting of the Cross-Sectoral Planning Group (CSPG) focused on Migration and Remittances in Accra. This forms part of the preparatory process for drafting the upcoming Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (MTNDPF) for the period 2026-2029.
The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from government institutions, development partners, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and the financial sector. The primary aim was to discuss migration and remittance-related issues, ensuring their effective integration into the national development framework.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General, Dr. Audrey Smock-Amoah, Dr. Felix Addo-Yobo, Director of the Policy Division, underscored the critical role of migration and remittances in driving both national and global development. "Migration and remittances are key drivers of economic and social development," he said. "They facilitate the exchange of skills, promote cultural diversity, and significantly contribute to poverty alleviation and economic growth."
Dr. Addo-Yobo emphasised the importance of mainstreaming migration and remittances into national development strategies. According to him, remittances act as vital financial support for families, enabling investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship. He called for clear policy objectives and measurable indicators to harness the full potential of these contributions for sustainable and inclusive development.
During the meeting, participants reviewed a draft matrix outlining key issues, policy objectives, and strategies developed from previous consultations and analyses of existing policies, including the National Migration Policy and the Diaspora Engagement Policy. Discussions centered on effectively capturing migration and remittance priorities in alignment with both national and international goals.
Stakeholders collaborated to develop trustworthy indicators to monitor progress, improve data-driven decisions, and represent new migratory trends. The meeting also highlighted the necessity for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen policy coherence and implementation mechanisms.
Participants as well discussed the importance of creating an enabling environment for remittance flows, leveraging financial technologies, and fostering partnerships to maximize the developmental impact of migration. Additionally, strategies to engage the diaspora effectively were proposed to harness the skills and investments of Ghanaians abroad for national development.
There was a commitment by stakeholders to refine the draft matrix based on the discussions and to maintain ongoing dialogue among stakeholders. NDPC pledged to facilitate the drafting process, incorporating inputs from all relevant sectors to enhance policy coherence and implementation effectiveness in the forthcoming national development policy framework.