Government to publish certified recruitment agencies to curb unsafe migration – Ablakwa

The government of Ghana is taking steps to create a list of approved recruitment agencies in an effort to safeguard citizens from fraudulent employment schemes and human trafficking rings. During a press conference in Accra, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the initiative, which is being carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.

The objective of the project is to enable prospective migrants to confirm the legitimacy of agencies offering overseas job opportunities. The list will also be distributed to Ghana's international partners, which will facilitate the identification of unauthorized agencies operating across borders.

Ablakwa strongly urged individuals being recruited to verify whether the recruiting agency is recognized by the government. He explained that foreign governments receiving Ghanaian workers would also be informed about agencies certified by Ghanaian authorities. He warned that if a government is receiving a group of Ghanaians and the recruiting agency is not certified, not part of the official list provided by Ghanaian authorities, then individuals should not entertain those unlicensed, unverified recruitment agencies.

The minister's announcement is part of a broader strategy to tackle unsafe migration, particularly cases involving young Ghanaians who are promised employment abroad but instead fall victim to exploitation and poor working conditions. The Ministry has been actively negotiating with countries in the Gulf region to establish labor mobility agreements that will regulate the recruitment and protection of Ghanaian workers.

Currently, Ghana has signed labor mobility agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Qatar, while talks with Saudi Arabia are ongoing.

Furthermore, the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of the Interior to draft a framework for more rigorous scrutiny of individuals leaving Ghana, especially those traveling in groups. The minister emphasized that simply having a visa does not guarantee a smooth exit from the country. He encouraged Ghanaians contemplating travel opportunities abroad to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ghana's diplomatic missions for verification and travel guidance.

He noted that Ghanaian missions abroad possess the resources to conduct thorough due diligence on organizations and opportunities in their respective countries.

In addition to the list of certified recruitment agencies, Ablakwa urged the public to pay attention to travel advisories, as the Ministry plans to work with the National Commission for Civic Education, Information Services Department, and civil society organizations to intensify public education. The campaign aims to educate young people about the tactics employed by human trafficking networks and fraudulent recruitment schemes.

This comprehensive approach aims to protect Ghanaians from the dangers of unsafe migration and exploitation by unscrupulous recruitment agencies.