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KKD calls for action beyond “December to Remember” as University of Ghana launches Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College of Humanities platform advances Ghana’s Great Brain Gain through employment, enterprise, reciprocal partnerships and measurable action ahead of a public Dialogue and Fair on 30 October

LEGON, Ghana, 17 July 2026 — His Excellency King Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, popularly known as KKD and serving as the President’s Special Envoy to the Caribbean, has called for purposeful and sustained action to reconnect Ghana, the Caribbean and Black people throughout the historic Diaspora.

Delivering the keynote address at the University of Ghana College of Humanities Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues Media Launch at the Great Hall, KKD described himself as “a bridge between two shores that share one heartbeat.”

He said the Atlantic Ocean, once used to divide Black families through the Middle Passage, must now become a bridge for reconnection, collaboration and shared prosperity.

“For too long, the return of our people has been a whispered dream,” KKD said. He argued that platforms such as the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues could transform that dream into practical and enduring pathways for return, community, enterprise and institutional growth.

KKD urged members of the historic Diaspora to move beyond short visits centred on entertainment and seasonal tourism.

“We must come together, not as visitors on short trips who come here for December to Remember,” he said, calling for sustained relationships involving settlement, investment, work, enterprise and institution-building.

He also urged Ghanaian leaders, citizens, institutions and members of the historic Diaspora to identify clearly the practical steps required to make repatriation work.

“This is not a matter of protest. This is a matter of lobbying,” he said, emphasising constructive engagement, persuasion and well-developed proposals.

Dre Taylor at the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues Media Launch
Dre Taylor at the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues Media Launch. Photo: King Buff Photography.

He said SIC was prepared to contribute through asset protection, enterprise support, event insurance, risk education and practical protection pathways for repatriates, entrepreneurs, professionals, students and families choosing Ghana as a place to build their future.

Students express strong interest in practical opportunities

Within the first week of opening its student interest survey, the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues Committee received 234 voluntary responses from University of Ghana students and graduates across a wide range of programmes.

More than 88% selected future employment or internships as their primary interest, while approximately 97% authorised the sharing of their information with relevant employers and institutions.

Respondents represented programmes including business analytics, accounting, law, political science, psychology, linguistics, history, music, dance, theatre, social work, education, marketing, administration and engineering.

Students engaging with an information table at the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues launch
Students engage with an information table during the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues programme. Photo: King Buff Photography.

Kambon said the responses demonstrate strong student interest and provide a pool of skills for further verification and matching. The next test will be employer participation and the conversion of that interest into actual placements.

Student performance during the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues programme at the University of Ghana
Student performers contribute to the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues programme at the University of Ghana. Photo: King Buff Photography.

Public Dialogue and Fair scheduled for 30 October

The launch begins the build-up to the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogue and Entrepreneurship, Job Recruitment and Innovation Fair, scheduled for 30 October 2026.

The event will be open to the public and will bring together employers, students, graduates, entrepreneurs, investors, faculty members, public institutions, repatriates and Ghanaian businesses.

The Committee is now inviting employers to make specific commitments before 30 October, including vacancies, internships, company visits, job-shadowing opportunities and project assignments.

Sponsors and institutional partners are invited to support the Fair, student opportunity programmes, research, public education, documentation and the long-term implementation of the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues.

Prospective repatriates, employers, sponsors and participating organisations are encouraged to register their interest at:

https://www.door.events

Commitments and outcomes arising from the Fair will be documented in an initial public outcomes report.

“A door only matters when people can pass through it,” Kambon said.

The launch also attracted representatives of the Barbados High Commission, the Embassy of Cuba, the Nigeria High Commission, the Presidential Special Envoy for Reparations and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, alongside traditional leaders, academics, businesses, students and media organisations.


About the Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues

The Open D.O.O.R. Dialogues are a University of Ghana College of Humanities platform developed in support of the Decade of Our Repatriation, 2026–2036. The platform connects public dialogue with practical pathways in employment, internships, enterprise, research, investment, institutional collaboration and repatriation-linked opportunity creation.

Notes to editors

High-resolution photographs, selected video clips, speaker interviews and additional background materials are available for media use.

The full media launch replay is available at:

https://www.youtube.com/live/CqSiWgcTl6k

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Sponsorship, partnership and media enquiries

Mr Ebi Landry Kanga Principal Administrative Assistant College of Humanities, University of Ghana

Email: klebi@ug.edu.gh Telephone: +233 (0)30 708 0635 Website: https://www.door.events

Abibitumi
Author: Abibitumi

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