Ghana is not losing workforce but investing in them for the future – Malik Basintale on Work Abroad Programme

The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Mr Malik Basintale, has refuted claims that Ghana’s new Work Abroad Programme could result in a brain drain. Instead, he insists it will boost the country’s human resource capacity.

Speaking on March 18  2025, during the initiative's launch in Accra, Mr Basintale said the programme is designed to provide Ghanaians with global experience that will ultimately benefit the nation.

“We are not losing our workforce; we are investing in them,” he stated. “This programme allows our young people to gain international exposure, which they can use to transform Ghana’s economy.”

The initiative, which is a partnership between the Youth Employment Agency, the Ghanaian-European Centre, and European labour institutions, aims to send skilled Ghanaian workers to Romania under structured and regulated conditions.

Mr Basintale also underscored the potential contributions of returning workers to Ghana’s economic growth.

He argued that their earnings and expertise could be channelled into entrepreneurial ventures and local industries.

“This is a calculated move to strengthen our workforce. When these professionals return, they will bring capital, skills, and international connections to drive industrialisation and create jobs locally,” he added.

The government has promised strict monitoring measures to safeguard the rights of Ghanaian workers abroad, including fair wages and humane working conditions.

Stakeholders, including labour analysts and migration experts, have praised the initiative, describing it as a proactive solution to Ghana’s unemployment challenges

The Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, has stressed that legal and regulated migration is key to Ghana’s workforce development.

Dr Pelpuo stated that the initiative is a strategic effort to provide safe and legitimate avenues for Ghanaians to work in international labour markets.

“The future of labour mobility lies in structured migration,” he said. “We cannot allow our young people to risk their lives through irregular migration. This programme offers a secure and respectful alternative.”

Dr Pelpuo pointed out that remittances from the programme would significantly benefit Ghana’s economy by increasing foreign exchange inflows.

“These remittances will provide financial support to families and small businesses, while also contributing to national development,” he noted.