Ghana has launched a coordinated national effort to strengthen legal and ethical labour migration, convening a high-level policy dialogue with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the African Union Commission (AUC).
The three-day National Policy Dialogue on Labour Mobility Pathways brought together senior policymakers, diaspora representatives, international organizations, civil society groups, and diplomatic missions. The goal was to chart a sustainable and rights-based approach to labour mobility that benefits both Ghana and the broader West and Central African region.
According to official data, more than 970,000 Ghanaians lived abroad in 2019, contributing through remittances, skills transfer, and investments. Ghana also hosted over 466,000 international migrants, primarily from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries, reinforcing the country鈥檚 importance as both a source and destination in regional labour migration.
鈥淭he National Policy Dialogue marks a historic milestone in our collective pursuit of safe, orderly, and regular migration,鈥 said Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment. 鈥淭his initiative will empower people, strengthen economies, and support long-term development.鈥
Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission for IOM Ghana, emphasized the urgency of the initiative. 鈥淎t a time when irregular migration continues to expose migrants to exploitation and abuse, expanding regular pathways is both a humanitarian imperative and a development strategy,鈥 she said.
Ghana has emerged as a leader in regional migration governance, aligning domestic legislation with the African Union鈥檚 Agenda 2063, the Migration Policy for Africa, and global frameworks such as the Global Compact on Migration. National laws including the Human Trafficking Act, the Immigration Act, and the Diaspora Engagement Policy support this alignment.
The country is also advancing Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs) and Skills Mobility Partnerships through the AU-IOM-ILO Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP), aimed at enabling safe, structured, and economically viable labour exchanges.
Key outcomes from the policy dialogue included a call for improved coordination across government agencies, enhanced data systems, and expanded partnerships for skills-based and education-linked migration opportunities.
With an expanding youth population, strong diaspora networks, and regional integration efforts, Ghana is positioning labour mobility as a central pillar of its economic and social development strategy.
IOM confirmed its continued commitment to supporting governments and communities in building inclusive migration systems that promote safety, dignity, and shared growth.