Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening migration governance to protect migrants’ rights at the International Migration Review Forum.
Addressing the forum held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Thursday, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, said Ghana remains committed to advancing the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
The Minister highlighted the country’s progress since the adoption of the UN Resolution A/Res/73/195 in 2018, noting that Ghana has established strong migration governance structures, including the National Migration Policy and the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration.
According to him, the government has also implemented a three-year National Implementation Plan to protect migrants’ human rights, improve migration management, and ensure effective return and reintegration systems.
He cited the Ghana Refugee Agribusiness and Sustainability Programme, launched in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as a major initiative supporting refugee self-reliance.
“The programme integrates refugees into agricultural production by providing land, farming inputs and training while granting them access to healthcare, education and agricultural extension services,” he added.
The Interior Minister also disclosed that Ghana has expanded regular migration pathways through bilateral labour agreements and memoranda of understanding with several countries.
He revealed that more than 400 Ghanaian nurses have migrated to Caribbean nations, including Grenada and Barbados, while other skilled professionals have secured employment opportunities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Touching on the economic impact of migration, Mr Mohammed-Mubarak noted that Ghana received $7.10 billion in remittances in 2024, representing 8.6 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
He called for stronger international cooperation to reduce remittance transfer costs in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and broader financial inclusion efforts.
The Minister further stated that Ghana would be implementing a Migration Policy on Return, Readmission, and Reintegration to support returning migrants through skills training, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak urged member states and international partners to deepen collaboration, share best practices, and mobilise resources to advance the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
