Accra– On 17 May 2022, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in consultation with the Government of Ghana (GoG), hosted the launch of the new IOM Ghana Country Strategy 2022-2025 at the Alisa Hotel in Accra. Various national stakeholders were present at the event, including: GoG ministries, departments and agencies; development partners; civil society organizations; the private sector; and academia. Ghana has a dynamic migration context as a country of origin, transit and destination for migrants. These individuals are engines for growth both in their host communities as well as communities of origin.

The Country Strategy will amplify the positive contributions of migrants on social and economic development in Ghana, and address the challenges of migration, key among them those occasioned by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with the IOM Strategic Vision 2019-2023, the programmatic framework of the new Country Strategy is founded on three main pillars: resilience, mobility and governance. It aims to build the resilience of migrants and their communities of origin; strengthen existing migration management systems so that they are more protection sensitive to mobility-induced vulnerabilities; and reinforce the policy and legal framework for migration governance.

In her opening address, the IOM Ghana Chief of Mission, Ms. Abibatou Wane-Fall, stated that “Through this strategy, IOM also reconfirms its commitment to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. It outlines how IOM is preparing to respond to these trends and challenges and to GoG priorities, by pursuing six Strategic Priorities.” The six Strategic Priorities that guide the Country Strategy are under the following areas of intervention: 1) immigration and border management; 2) counter-trafficking; 3) assisted voluntary return and reintegration; 4) migration and development; 5) migration health; and 6) emergency, preparedness, response and stabilization. Mainstreamed throughout these Strategic Priorities are the cross-cutting themes of environment and climate change, gender dynamics, migration data, rights-based approach to programming and youth.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Director for the Ministry of the Interior, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, stated that “The Ministry of Interior, with its mandate to coordinate migration-related matters in Ghana, is committed in partnering with IOM in bringing innovation which would enhance the country’s migration trend.” The Country Strategy supports global, regional and national development policy frameworks, including but not limited to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM); IOM Continental Strategy for Africa; United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership; National Migration Policy; National Labour Migration Policy and Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework; amongst others.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani, in his speech read by Ms. Myra Togobo, Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting officer, stated that “The launch of the IOM Ghana Country Strategy 2022-2025 charts a path forward to support the Government of Ghana as well as the people of Ghana, to reap the benefits of migration…Its implementation in partnership with a broad cross-section of stakeholders will undoubtedly contribute to safe, orderly, and regular migration in Ghana and in doing so help to achieve the 2030 agenda, ensuring that no one is left behind.”

For more information, please contact Giulia Piccioni, Project Development and Donor Liaison Officer, IOM Ghana, at GPiccioni@iom.int