The Ghanaian diaspora community in the Netherlands

The Ghanaian migrants constitute a substantial immigrant community in the Netherlands, keeping alive a relationship that began some 300 years ago. The Ghanaian community has increased steadily from over 12,000 in 1996 to close to 30,000 today.

Although Ghanaians have for decades formed a substantial immigrant community, the host Ministry of Home Affairs began to consider the possibility of granting them the formal status of a “recognize minority” in 2000, enabling the community to benefit from specific policy measures from the Dutch Government geared towards their welfare and specific needs.

Ghanaian Associations/Societies abound in the Netherlands, and are organised mainly on the basis of religion, ethnic and sometimes political grounds. These “organisations” exceed 70 and majority are based in Amsterdam with the rest spread between The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Groningen. The Dutch government, in recognition of the contribution of immigrants provides limited financial assistance to migrant communities, with credible track record of effective organizational and noticeable community improvement work programs in their municipalities. The presence of many Ghanaian splinter groups in the Netherlands renders them incapable of assessing Dutch Government sponsored initiatives for their benefit.

With the support of the Embassy and cooperation from the Ghanaian Community organisations, an umbrella organisation was formed under the name Council of Ghanaian Organisations in the Netherlands (COGHAN). It is believed that the unity of the Ghanaian community will enhance its interaction with the Dutch authorities and further boost their chances of being considered to benefit from the numerous financial assist provided by the Dutch government to the immigrant communities. The COGHAN, in the coming years will steer the progress and development of the Ghanaian Community in the Netherlands.

The Ghanaian Community over the years have supported the Ghana Embassy to achieve its aims and objectives and in the coming years the Embassy will continue to work in close collaboration with the Community Leaders to enhance the image of Ghana and Ghanaians in the Diaspora.