Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sabah Zita Benson, has held a community engagement with members of the Ghanaian diaspora in Milton Keynes, where discussions focused on strengthening consular services and deepening diaspora participation in Ghana’s development agenda.
The engagement, organised by the Association of Ghanaians in Milton Keynes (AGMK), took place on March 1, 2026, at the Kings Community Centre in Milton Keynes. The meeting brought together Ghanaian residents in the area to interact directly with the High Commissioner on issues affecting migrant welfare, documentation, and economic participation.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Benson reaffirmed the Government of Ghana’s recognition of the diaspora as a strategic partner in national development, urging Ghanaians living abroad to increasingly channel their contributions into investment and entrepreneurship initiatives that can drive economic growth at home.
The High Commissioner provided updates on key consular services, including the planned resumption of mobile passport outreach programmes across various UK cities. She explained that these services would resume once minimum participation thresholds are met, enabling more Ghanaians outside London to access passport renewal services conveniently.
On the rollout of the Ghana Card in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Benson clarified that registration services currently remain centralised in London, although the High Commission is exploring ways to gradually expand access to other regions with significant Ghanaian populations.
She also advised Ghanaian dual nationals to travel on their British passports when departing or entering the United Kingdom to avoid potential immigration complications, noting that this guidance aligns with existing UK border policies affecting dual citizenship holders.
Responding to concerns raised by members of the community regarding private Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) arrangements for migrants, the High Commissioner indicated that the Ghana Mission in London has strengthened monitoring mechanisms to better support Ghanaian workers and ensure compliance with UK immigration and labour regulations.
On educational opportunities, Mrs. Benson acknowledged that some government-sponsored scholarship programmes have experienced delays due to outstanding arrears. She explained that new placements for Ghanaian students in the United Kingdom have been temporarily paused until existing financial obligations are cleared.
The High Commission also highlighted recent improvements in customer service delivery at the mission, aimed at reducing processing delays and improving communication between consular staff and the Ghanaian community in the UK.
Beyond consular matters, the engagement also touched on economic relations between Ghana and the United Kingdom. The UK remains one of Ghana’s most significant economic partners, with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre reporting that the United Kingdom consistently ranks among the leading sources of foreign direct investment into Ghana across sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, energy, education, and infrastructure development.
According to investment data, the United Kingdom has historically been among the top five investors in Ghana, with several British multinational companies operating in the country and contributing to job creation, technology transfer, and industrial growth.
The meeting concluded with participants expressing appreciation for the High Commissioner’s engagement and reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration between the Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom and the Ghanaian community in Milton Keynes, particularly in areas of investment promotion, youth mentorship, and cultural exchange.
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