Labour Ministry, YEA launch Work Abroad Programme

The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has launched an initiative to migrate Ghana’s skilled labour force to work abroad. 

The “Work Abroad Programme” is an initiative of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) which has been designed to create a legal pathway for artisans and workers in the hospitality, transportation, agriculture, construction sectors, among others, to work abroad.

Under the initiative, applicants will be screened through an online portal which will be advertised.

Companies recruiting Ghanaian workers will then be required to sign formal agreements with both the destination country and Ghana, the labour exporting country, to protect the rights of Ghanaian workers who travel through the initiative.

Workers selected will undergo pre-departure training on their rights, cultural adaptation and professional skills to enhance their competitiveness in the global market while navigating the international work environment.

Launch

The Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, who launched the initiative in Accra last Tuesday, said the programme formed part of the government’s efforts to reduce the number of unemployed youth, as promised during the 2024 election campaign.

“As a result, this initiative reaffirms our unwavering commitment to empowering Ghana’s youth by expanding access to global opportunities and fostering a structured and sustainable framework for labour migration,” he said.

The initiative, he explained, was aimed at curbing irregular migration, ensuring fair recruitment practices and maximising the economic benefits of remittances to contribute to the country’s economic development.

Welfare

Dr Pelpuo further vowed to ensure respect for Ghanaian workers abroad and to eliminate situations where they were punished for working overseas. 

“In my period as a minister, we will not tolerate any situation where Ghanaian workers will go abroad to work and be punished for going there to work.

“We want to see absolute respect for the Ghanaian youth who goes out there to explore the world and commits himself or herself to the country they are working for,” he added.

Describing the programme as an enterprise that required the collective efforts of all, the minister called on stakeholders to support the programme and to contribute to its success. 

Labour hub

The Chief Executive Officer of YEA, Malik Basintale, said the programme was a “ground-breaking initiative” that held the potential to transform the lives of Ghanaian youth and strategically position Ghana as a hub for skilled and ethical labour experts.

He announced that YEA would launch an inter-ministerial working committee in the coming days to oversee the smooth administration and sustainability of the programme.

“Our vision is clear; we aspire to see Ghanaian workers become the benchmark of excellence across the international labour markets with structured partnerships,” he stressed.

The YEA, Mr Basintale said, had developed a robust system, including legal aid, psychosocial support, and reintegration services to ensure that no Ghanaian worker was left vulnerable.

“I extend a call to action to all stakehdolers, both in public and private sectors, to join hands with the YEA as we roll out this transformative programme,” he added.

The Chairperson of the Work Abroad Programme, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, who is also the Chairman of the Special Groups of Companies, commended the ministry for designing the initiative.

He said the initiative would offer the youth an opportunity to earn decent incomes, expose them internationally, and enable them to return home to create opportunities for others.