President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that Ghana is working towards a structured labour migration agreement with the European Union (EU), aimed at opening legal pathways for Ghanaian workers to access employment opportunities in Europe.
The proposed agreement is expected to address two key challenges: reducing the risks associated with irregular migration and helping to fill critical labour gaps in sectors such as health care, construction, and agriculture across Europe.
Speaking at the 2025 Ghana-EU Partnership Dialogue held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra, President Mahama noted that discussions were in progress to establish mutual recognition of professional qualifications and uphold fair labour practices across the board.
“This isn’t about brain drain – it’s about creating safe and regulated pathways that will benefit both continents,” he stated.
He underscored the need for a balanced framework built on equitable standards and recognition of qualifications, which he said would ensure mutual benefits for both regions.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of continued tragedies involving West African youth who undertake dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean in search of better opportunities abroad.
Dignitaries present
The high-level dialogue was attended by key government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Defence Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for the Interior Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, and Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu.
Also in attendance were the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, alongside ambassadors from various EU member states and other distinguished guests.
Economic recovery in focus
Addressing Ghana’s current economic performance, President Mahama described the country’s outlook as stable and gradually improving. He attributed this progress to sound fiscal policies, improved revenue collection, and better control over public spending.
He pointed to a recent upgrade in Ghana’s credit rating to B-minus with a stable outlook by a global rating agency as an indication of economic recovery.
President Mahama expressed gratitude for the EU’s support in areas such as public financial management, domestic revenue mobilisation, and anti-corruption efforts—all of which he said are critical to long-term growth.
He further highlighted the role of private sector investment in Ghana’s development. As part of this drive, he cited the introduction of a unified licensing system to streamline regulation, the establishment of a structured public-private dialogue platform, and the implementation of a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) framework to encourage business growth.
The President invited EU companies to consider investment in key sectors including agribusiness, manufacturing, and digital technologies.
Security and sustainability
On regional security, President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to peace and stability but raised concerns about the increasing threat of violent extremism in West Africa. H
e called for enhanced cooperation with the EU in defence, especially through technology-based solutions that would also support the country’s industrial agenda.
He also expressed hope in leveraging the EU-backed Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to expand renewable energy ventures such as solar, wind, and green hydrogen.
Highlighting Ghana’s environmental credentials, President Mahama noted that Ghana remains the first African nation to issue a Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Licence, demonstrating its leadership in sustainable forestry practices.
He added that reforms in the fisheries sector were ongoing to address concerns raised by the EU, particularly issues tied to the Yellow Card warning.
