Ghana Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Migration Governance at UN Migration Forum

The Minister of the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening migration governance and protecting the rights of migrants at the 2026 International Migration Review Forum held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Delivering Ghana’s national statement at the high-level meeting, the Minister highlighted the country’s progress in implementing the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration since the adoption of the UN Resolution in 2018.

According to him, Ghana, as a Champion Country in migration governance, has established key frameworks, including the National Migration Policy and the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration, to promote a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to migration management.

He noted that the country’s three-year National Implementation Plan has prioritised the protection of migrants’ rights, the structuring of return and reintegration processes, and the safeguarding of national sovereignty.

The Interior Minister also highlighted Ghana’s efforts toward refugee inclusion and self-reliance through agricultural interventions.

He cited the Ghana Refugee Agribusiness and Sustainability Programme, implemented in partnership with UNHCR⁠, which integrates refugees into productive farming activities while strengthening host communities.

Under the initiative, refugees are provided with access to land, agricultural inputs, training, healthcare, education, and agricultural extension services to promote social cohesion and long-term sustainability.

On labour migration, Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak disclosed that Ghana has expanded regular migration pathways through bilateral labour agreements and memoranda of understanding with other countries.

He revealed that more than 400 Ghanaian nurses have migrated to Grenada and Barbados, while additional professionals have secured employment opportunities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The Minister further described remittances as a critical pillar of Ghana’s economy, indicating that the country received about $7.1 billion in remittances in 2024, representing 8.6% of 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.

Touching on reintegration policies, the Interior Minister said Ghana is implementing a National Referral Mechanism aimed at supporting returnees through skills training, employment services, and entrepreneurship opportunities while addressing stigma associated with return migration.

He concluded by urging member states and international partners to deepen collaboration, share best practices, and mobilise resources to advance the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration.

According to him, sustained global cooperation remains essential to ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration while safeguarding the dignity and rights of migrants worldwide.