Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister reaffirms Ghana’s Commitment to Safe Migration and Migrant Protection
The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to expanding safe and regular migration opportunities for citizens, particularly young people seeking skills and decent employment abroad.
He said the government remained committed to working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to strengthen migration governance, protect the rights of migrants, and promote sustainable reintegration for Ghanaians returning home.
Mr. Quayson made the remarks when the IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mrs. Sylvia Ekra, paid a courtesy call to him in Accra.
The discussions focused on strengthening Ghana’s cooperation with the organisation in areas including labour mobility, regular migration pathways, migrant protection, border management, return and reintegration, diaspora engagement and regional cooperation.
The Deputy Minister expressed appreciation to the IOM for its longstanding technical and institutional support to Ghana, particularly in migration management, counter-trafficking initiatives and efforts to safeguard vulnerable migrants.
He emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for young Ghanaians to access international labour markets through skills mobility and decent employment arrangements, while ensuring that their rights and welfare were protected.
Mr. Quayson also called for sustainable reintegration programmes that would equip returning migrants with relevant skills, livelihood opportunities and the support needed to rebuild their lives and contribute to national development.
On diaspora engagement, the Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration to harness the skills, expertise and resources of Ghanaians abroad for the country’s development.
Mrs. Ekra congratulated Ghana on its upcoming assumption of the African Union (AU) chairmanship in 2027 and expressed the IOM’s readiness to support the government in advancing its migration and development priorities.
She stressed the need for the organisation’s programmes in Ghana to align with national development objectives to ensure effective implementation and lasting results.
Mrs. Ekra also reaffirmed the IOM’s interest in collaborating with Ghana on diaspora-focused initiatives and acknowledged the longstanding relationship between the two parties.
She noted that the organisation had maintained a presence in Ghana for 39 years, with 2027 marking the 40th anniversary of its operations in the country.
As part of the engagement, the IOM presented its newly launched Ghana Strategic Plan 2026–2028 to the Deputy Minister.
The plan focuses on saving lives and protecting people on the move, developing solutions to displacement and facilitating pathways for regular migration.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
