Ghana’s Vice President, Her Excellency Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has met with members of the Ghanaian Association in Iowa at Drake University, where she reaffirmed the government’s dedication to inclusive national development and citizen engagement across the diaspora.

The meeting, which formed part of her working visit to the United States, was attended by Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, and H.E. Victor Smith, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States.

The event also drew Ghanaians from neighbouring states, creating a vibrant forum for dialogue between government officials and the diaspora community.

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang conveyed warm greetings from His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, emphasising the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and participatory nation-building.

She underscored that “true development must be inclusive, bringing those on the margins to the centre — as that is the essence of good governance.”

The Vice President noted that Ghana’s progress is deeply connected to the broader Pan-African vision of shared growth, solidarity, and sustainable development.

During her remarks, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang outlined four central pillars of the government’s National Reset Agenda, designed to position Ghana on a path of equitable growth and transformation:

Job Creation: Recognising Ghana’s youthful demographic, she highlighted ongoing investments in initiatives that foster innovation and create sustainable employment opportunities.

Agricultural Transformation: Echoing insights from Mr Eric Opoku, she reaffirmed Ghana’s pursuit of food self-sufficiency through the Feed Ghana Initiative, value addition, and strategic public-private partnerships to modernise agriculture.

Support for SMEs: The Vice President emphasised the government’s commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises by improving access to finance, technology, and markets to stimulate inclusive economic growth.

Prudent Use of Resources: She stressed that transparency and accountability in the management of national resources as a cornerstone of responsible governance.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang shared her passion for advancing gender equality, stating that “when women are supported, the positive impact extends to families, communities, and the entire nation.”

She encouraged Ghanaian youth, especially students studying abroad, to value the strong educational foundation Ghana has provided and to contribute their knowledge and skills toward national development.

In closing, the Vice President expressed deep gratitude to the Ghanaian community in Iowa for their hospitality, patriotism, and continued contributions to Ghana’s development and global image.

She assured them that Ghana remains “open and ready to harness the ideas, skills, and investments of her citizens at home and abroad.”

The interactive session ended on a high note, with members of the diaspora reaffirming their commitment to supporting Ghana’s development agenda through knowledge sharing, investment, and advocacy.