A Blend of Instrumental and Feminist Ethics of Care Strategies in Courting the Diaspora Populations: Media Framing of Ghana's Year of Return

Diaspora-homeland engagements, also known as diaspora policies or sending state strategies, have received significant attention in research and policy. This study applied framing theory and textual analysis to 110 Ghanaian online newspapers to examine how the media framed Ghana's 2019 Year of Return. The analysis revealed that the media predominantly framed the Year of Return from an instrumental perspective, buttressed by the frames of tourism development; economic development and investment; and branding and marketing. In contrast, a few discussions framed the event through a feminist ethics of care lens, emphasizing the need to foster strong emotional bond between diaspora populations and the homeland (Ghanaian hospitality). These frames reflect the state's approach to engaging the diaspora community. The policy implications of this study are also highlighted.