In a promising development for Ghanaian youth, Germany has expressed openness to signing a labour mobility agreement with Ghana that would enable thousands of young Ghanaians to access employment opportunities in Germany under a special bilateral arrangement.
This potential agreement, currently under active discussion, aims to guarantee safe, rewarding, and dignified work—mirroring a similar pact Germany recently signed with Kenya.
This news was shared by Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has been actively involved in diplomatic discussions around the matter.
Speaking from Berlin, where he attended the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, Ablakwa revealed that he held productive meetings with several high-ranking German officials.
These included Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Joachim Stamp, the Special Representative of the German Federal Government for Migration Agreements, and senior personnel from the German Interior Ministry.
“This agreement currently under discussion would guarantee safe, rewarding, and dignified employment similar to what Germany and Kenya signed recently. We expect actual implementation soon,” Ablakwa said, underscoring the seriousness of the ongoing negotiations.
For Ghana, this proposed agreement represents more than just a job placement program. It is a testament to President John Mahama’s administration’s belief in “meaningful and impactful diplomacy,” which prioritizes addressing the most urgent challenges confronting the country’s youth.
By pursuing such bilateral arrangements, the government seeks to open doors for young Ghanaians to gain valuable international work experience while benefiting from structured protections and legal safeguards.
Labour mobility agreements are increasingly viewed as critical tools for countries like Ghana that face high youth unemployment rates. These agreements allow for the legal, safe, and well-regulated movement of workers across borders, offering economic benefits to both the sending and receiving countries.
Honourable Ablakwa emphasized that the discussions with German officials were “great meetings,” reflecting strong mutual interest and goodwill. The success of these talks could soon lead to tangible results that will significantly impact Ghana’s workforce development and economic growth.
As these negotiations progress, the hope is that thousands of Ghanaian youth will soon have the chance to contribute their skills and talents on a global stage, while earning dignified incomes under fair conditions.
Honourable Ablakwa concluded his statement with a patriotic note: “President Mahama’s government believes in meaningful and impactful diplomacy which boldly addresses the most important challenges confronting our people. For God and Country.”
