The Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland (AGPI) is an independent association of Ghanaian professionals resident in Ireland. The organisation, the brain child of Dr. Vincent Agyapong, was set up in July 2007 and has grown from 5 members to include over 100 Ghanaians. Set up to promote, develop and realize the full potential of Ghanaians resident in Ireland, the Association’s members come from a variety of sectors including medicine, entrepreneurship, business management, law, journalism, finance and transport. ReConnect Africa spoke to Julius Buameh, the Association’s Public Relations Officer, to learn more about the organization and what it hopes to achieve for its members and for Ghana. RCA: What inspired Dr. Agyapong to set up the AGPI? JB: The Association of Ghanaian Professionals (AGPI) is a dream that was borne out of a desire to contribute to Ghana’s political, social, educational, moral and macroeconomic transformation. It is also a product of the desire to help instil in Ghanaians in the Diaspora a sense of professionalism and patriotism. RCA: What are some of the challenges faced by Ghanaian professionals living and working in Ireland? JB: Some of the challenges Ghanaian professionals face in Ireland include barriers to integration such as access to affordable further education and funding restrictions, difficulty in progressing in one’s chosen career for some selected professionals and, of course, robust immigration laws. Visa restrictions make it difficult for Ghanaians professionals to access employment. For example, spouses of immigrants on work permits are not allowed to work, which can place a huge financial burden on the only breadwinner. Again, because Africans in general have a different way of life, it becomes very difficult for Ghanaian professionals to adapt to the Irish way of life. Most Ghanaian professionals, even though they have lived in Ireland for a number of years, still find it difficult to have access to funding for educational purposes. RCA: What are some of the initiatives and projects that the Association has launched or is planning? JB: AGPI has organised periodic dinner and information sessions for members of the Ghanaian community in Ireland. We have also held crucial talks with some Irish government officials and key opposition politicians, all with the simple aim of advancing AGPI’s cause. In May of this year we hosted a delegation from Ghana’s parliament that visited Ireland including the Speaker and other leaders of the parliament. Prior to this we had paid a historic familiarisation visit, the first by an immigrant group in Ireland, to the Irish parliament at the invitation of the Deputy Leader of the Irish Labour Party. Currently we are planning seminars and workshops on employment, education, enterprise and healthy living for members of the Ghanaian community in Ireland. We have also identified key sectors in Ghana that we feel we can help make a difference in. For example we are sourcing funding to help improve mental health services in Ghana. We are also in discussion with relevant stake holders about setting up enterprise centres across the length and breadth of Ghana. RCA: What are the benefits to members of being in the Association? JB: A significant benefit of membership of AGPI is the sheer satisfaction of being a part of a group of dignified and patriotic Ghanaians with a cherished desire to help with the transformation of our motherland. Other benefits of membership include the opportunity to mentor others and to learn from each other, as well as network with other progressive and like-minded Ghanaians. RCA: What impact would the Association wish to make on its host country and at home in Ghana? JB: The Association is helping Ghanaians in Ireland to realise their full potential through entrepreneurship, education, employment and healthy living. We wish to equip the Ghanaian community in Ireland with the requisite skills and expertise to be fully integrated into Irish society through full participation in all facets of Irish life. AGPI is also mobilising human, material and financial resources towards the advancement of Ghana including innovative promotion and facilitation of foreign direct investments to Ghana and joint ventureship. This is partly our attempt to transform the seemingly brain drain into brain gain. The organisation has so far made incredible gains on many fronts, especially in the area of awareness creation, that has gained us recognition within both the Irish and Ghanaian government circles. RCA: What advice can you offer to Ghanaians and other Africans who may be interested in a move to Ireland? JB: Any Ghanaian or African in general looking to move to Ireland should do so because the Irish are very hospitable. However, they must be aware of some of the challenges faced by immigrants as I have already outlined. Having said that, Ireland is just like home for most Africans - except that the weather can be unpredictable, which in itself adds to the beauty of the country. For further information about the Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland: http://www.agpireland.org/ Credit: ReConnect Africa