LOS ANGELES – Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Smith, met with the Ghanaian community in Southern California at a town hall on February 21, 2026. The meeting focused on building economic ties and improving consular services.
The envoy’s visit centered on a clear message: the Government of Ghana is looking to the diaspora and the private sector to drive the nation’s next chapter of economic growth.
Private Sector’s Role in Job Creation
Ambassador Smith told the audience that the government cannot solve the country’s unemployment problem on its own.
“The government alone cannot employ the entire workforce,” the Ambassador noted. “There is a critical need for private sector expansion to absorb our talented youth and significantly reduce the unemployment rate.”
To help with this shift, the Ambassador promised that his office would support entrepreneurs. He told potential investors, both individuals and groups, that the Embassy is dedicated to making it easier to set up and run new businesses in Ghana.
Improving Consular Services
The Ambassador announced two major changes to make things easier for the West Coast community, which were met with strong support from the audience:
- E-Visa Implementation: The consulate is finishing work on a new e-visa system. This digital change should make processing much faster and reduce costs for travelers and business partners visiting Ghana.
- New Los Angeles Consulate: Ambassador Smith also announced plans to open a Los Angeles consulate to help people on the West Coast. This new office will be a permanent center for the Ghanaian community and businesses in the Western United States.
Call to Action
The Ambassador ended by asking Ghanaians living abroad to act as economic ambassadors. He encouraged them to use their professional networks to find U.S. companies interested in opening branches or forming partnerships in Ghana.
