President John Dramani Mahama has called for deeper collaboration between Ghana and the European Union (EU) on migration governance and labour mobility. He made the remarks during the Ghana-EU Partnership Dialogue held this week, emphasizing the need for joint efforts in managing migration and creating shared economic opportunities.
Addressing the high-level dialogue, Mr. John Mahama stressed that migration, when properly governed, could serve as a powerful tool for development for both Ghana and Europe. He noted that thousands of young Africans continue to seek opportunities abroad, often through dangerous and irregular routes, due to limited prospects at home.
“We must work together to promote orderly migration and ensure that our young people are protected, empowered, and given a fair chance to succeed — whether in Ghana or abroad,” the former President said.
He urged the EU to consider more flexible and fair labour mobility schemes that could benefit both European labour markets and Ghana’s skilled workforce. “Labour mobility arrangements must be built on mutual respect and shared benefit. It is important that these frameworks support legal pathways for migration and avoid the exploitation of vulnerable migrants,” Mahama added.
The Ghana-EU Partnership Dialogue serves as a platform for strengthening bilateral relations and discussing issues of mutual interest, including trade, development cooperation, climate resilience, and governance. Migration has been a key topic in recent years, as both parties seek to address the root causes of irregular migration and enhance legal migration avenues.
