President John Dramani Mahama has called for a reexamination of Ghana’s national narrative to fully recognise the historical and cultural role of the African diaspora, arguing that the country’s story did not begin with colonial rule.
Speaking at the Diaspora Summit 2025 in Accra on Friday, December 19, President Mahama challenged conventional accounts of Ghanaian history that often trace the nation’s origins to 1821, when the British established the Gold Coast colony. The summit was held under the theme “Resetting Ghana: The Diaspora as the 17th Region.”
Addressing participants, many of whom were Ghanaians living abroad and people of African descent, the President said the exclusion of the diaspora from Ghana’s historical narrative had left the country with an incomplete understanding of its past.
“Have you ever wondered why the story of Ghana never included the story of the diaspora?” he asked, noting that the collective history of Ghana’s people predates colonial boundaries and administrations.
He stressed that the many ethnic groups that make up modern Ghana existed long before the arrival of European powers on the African continent.
President Mahama described himself not only as head of state but also as a student of history, emphasizing that Ghana’s identity is rooted in shared experiences that extend beyond its present-day borders.
According to him, acknowledging this broader historical context is essential to redefining Ghana’s relationship with its diaspora.
The Diaspora Summit 2025 brought together policymakers, business leaders, academics and members of the diaspora to discuss investment, cultural exchange and strategies for national transformation.
