Tackling brain drain through foreign diplomacy a priority – Ablakwa

The Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says government will use foreign diplomacy to address Ghana’s escalating unemployment crisis.

During his vetting by Parliament’s Appointment Committee on Friday January 31, 2025, Ablakwa expressed his commitment to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to joblessness.

He highlighted the potential of diplomatic engagements in regulating the migration landscape to protect Ghanaians working abroad, particularly in the Gulf region.

His proposal comes amid reports of exploitation and abuse faced by many Ghanaian migrants in their host countries.

“I will seek to aggressively pursue economic diplomacy in a way that allows for bilateral agreements to be signed. There are many countries looking for Ghanaian professionals in the domestic setting. Why can’t we take advantage of that to solve our unemployment crisis and also to regulate the space so that what is happening to our fellow compatriots in the Gulf is addressed?”

The minister-designate further explained how strategic negotiations could enhance the security and welfare of Ghanaian migrant workers.

He stressed that formalising employment channels through government-to-government agreements would ensure that Ghanaian workers travel under well-regulated conditions, rather than through unverified recruitment agencies that often engage in exploitative practices.

“So, expect that one of our priority areas will be using foreign policy to address unemployment. We can make sure that brain drain becomes brain gain where these bilateral agreements will help create jobs for the young people of our country. When these receiving countries know that the labour they have received is not from some clandestine agency engaged in human trafficking, they will be mindful in treating these workers.”