The aspiring Ghanaian President, Nana Kwame Bediako, has unveiled an ambitious plan to lure investments from the diaspora, particularly people of African descent and other Africans, with a target of securing US$50 billion in investments for Ghana.
He aims to entice them to tap into the country’s vast opportunities and contribute to its economic growth and development.
Nana Kwame Bediako has dubbed his vision “Ghana’s first $50 billion,” a pioneering initiative aimed at harnessing investments from the global African diaspora.
He plans to achieve this by launching “African Unification,” a groundbreaking movement that will commence in Ghana, seeking to unify and mobilize Africans worldwide to contribute to the country’s economic prosperity and set a precedent for pan-African collaboration and growth.
“We [Ghana] will be the first people to start the project USA – United States of Africa, by people joining us [Ghana] and we welcoming them through our borders but also, they will also be investing on our land.”
Nana Kwame Bediako plans to offer Ghanaian citizenship and passports to Africans and people of African descent living abroad, but with a condition: they must invest in Ghana.
This investment-for-citizenship initiative aims to attract $50 billion in investments from the diaspora, effectively leveraging dual citizenship as a catalyst for economic growth and development in Ghana.
Nana Kwame Bediako, leader of the New Force Movement, has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in Ghana’s December 7, 2024 presidential election.
On Sunday, September 1, 2024, he unveiled his manifesto, “The 12 Pillars for Economic Freedom,” outlining his vision for Ghana’s prosperity. He highlighted Pillar 10, which aims to raise $50 billion, as a favorite and solution to Ghana’s problems.
The 12 Pillars represent his key policies, focusing on economic freedom, opportunities, and a bright future for Ghanaians.
He invites the electorate to consider his vision and support his candidacy, pending clearance by the Electoral Commission.
Research reveals that over 100 countries offer citizenship or residence by investment programs, with around 30 successful initiatives. These programs grant families alternative citizenship, facilitating global travel and relocation.
For instance, the St. Kitts and Nevis program requires a minimum donation to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) of approximately $400,000 for a single applicant, with an additional $25,000 for a spouse and $10,000 for each dependent under 18 years old.
Other countries with credible programs include Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Dominica, Egypt, Grenada, Jordan, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, St. Lucia, and Türkiye. These programs provide a pathway to citizenship or residence in exchange for a significant investment, offering increased mobility and flexibility.
These initiatives allow individuals and families to acquire an alternative citizenship, providing the privilege of traveling freely to various destinations and settling in another country. With over 100 countries having some form of investment migration legislation in place, this option is increasingly becoming a viable choice for those seeking greater global access and opportunities.
Presenting his manifesto on Sunday night and when he got to Pillar 10, which he described as his favourite, he said, “Ghana raising Ghana’s first $50 billion, I mean, these are the kind of figures when you call, it is like, how is Ghana ever going to make this money?”
“Because we are only struggling over US$3 billion, and we barely get it. How are we going to raise US$50 billion? Yes, we are going to raise US$50 billion, says who, says the young man [Bediako] standing in front of you? This vision and this policy is going to make it happen.”
“If you ever wondered where all this money will come from, well, this is it, and it’s very simple. So we decided a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior come together for one purpose, to empower the Immigration Services of this country and create the citizenship package to monetize Ghanaian citizenship only for Africans.”
“Now, I know that this vision and this idea is going to save Ghana, but it is the Phase One of it. The target is one million Africans to invest 50,000 in Ghana in exchange for Ghanaian passport.
They can invest in our gold, they can invest in our oil, they can invest in our agro processing. They can invest in all the things I have told you, because Ghana will have the biggest, most booming economy, and it is going to attract Africans to come into this country, but they will also want to be a part of Ghana’s legacy, and so we have to take advantage of that and raise the US$50 billion from Africans by Africans. This very policy marks a history today, because we would not need the Western world to provide for us anymore, now that we know we can raise thousand times more than they give us,” he said.
“But remember, this is not only about the money. The grand agenda in this is introducing African unification. It is going to start from Ghana. We would be the first people to start the Project USA, United States of Africa, by people joining us, and we welcoming them through our borders, but also they will be investing on our land.”
“See, we are about to initiate a borderless continent, and trade will come through, investment will come through, our neighbouring countries will join us. We are about to join hands, we are about to have an entangled economy that cannot be broken anymore, that cannot be separated anymore.”
“See, we have been regionally separated by borders and internally we have been separated by tribes. Once we have the water connected, we are coming together by tribes, once we have the borderless continent, we are coming together by countries, this is about to end. We are going to import our talents and skills from across Africa, every where,” Nana Kwame Bediako added.
“Infact, Naija, I know you are watching me in Nigeria, we are coming for you, I know, just you, Nigeria, if I decide that one million of you should invest in my country passport, you will bring the money in five days to Ghana, you will give us 50 billion more. And I promise you, we will trade in gold, in oil and we will make ourselves become successful because we are going to raise this capital amongt ourselves. So remember, when I come to power, I will be the first one to invite these Africans to truly become a part of Ghana as Africans and raise this US$50 billion.”
“Guess what, there is a Phase Two of this money raising, and it is a grand invitation of people of African descent, history will tell the rest. Now we either move forward together or we stand still separated, and it is one of my favourite pillars.
