The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson (MP), on Friday, 6th November 2026, received Mrs. Sylvia Ekra, Regional Director for West and Central Africa of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm the longstanding partnership between Ghana and the IOM and to exchange views on strategic areas of mutual interest, including labour mobility, regular migration pathways, migrant protection, return and sustainable reintegration, diaspora engagement and regional cooperation.
Mrs. Ekra congratulated Ghana on its imminent assumption of the Chair of the African Union (AU) in 2027 and expressed IOM’s readiness to work closely with the Government of Ghana in advancing its migration and development priorities.
She also highlighted the importance of diaspora engagement and indicated the Organisation’s willingness to collaborate with Ghana in implementing initiatives aimed at harnessing their potential for national development. She emphasised the need for IOM’s programmes and interventions to align with Ghana’s national priorities to ensure effective collaboration and sustainable outcomes.
Mrs. Ekra informed that IOM had been in Ghana for 39 years, with 2027 marking the Organisation’s 40th anniversary, underscoring its longstanding partnership with the Government of Ghana.
In his response, Hon. Gyakye Quayson expressed appreciation to IOM for its continued support and technical assistance to Ghana, particularly in migration governance, migrant protection, labour migration, border management, return and reintegration, and counter-trafficking initiatives.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with IOM and indicated the Government’s readiness to continue working closely with the Organisation to advance shared priorities in migration management, by expanding safe and regular migration pathways, particularly through skills mobility and decent labour opportunities abroad for young Ghanaians, while safeguarding their rights and welfare.
Hon. Gyakye Quayson further underscored the need for sustainable reintegration programmes that provide returning migrants with access to skills development, livelihood opportunities and the necessary support to facilitate their successful reintegration into society.
The IOM presented a copy of their just-launched Ghana Strategic Plan 2026–2028 to the Deputy Minister. It focuses on saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement and facilitating pathways for regular migration.