Implementation of Ghana's National Migration Policy underway

Efforts to implement Ghana's National Migration Policy (NMP), which was green-lighted by the nation's government in April, have begun through recent training sessions for 48 government officials.

"Ghana is facing multiple migration challenges that are currently being addressed by various ministries, departments and agencies," International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ghana Chief of Mission Sylvia Lopez-Ekra said. "The policy will create a framework where all efforts will be orchestrated for maximum impact. The policy will only be as effective as the officers implementing it, which is why IOM is investing in capacity building at the very early stages post-adoption."

The policy covers such issues as internal and labor migration, border management and migrant protection.

The officials attended two five-day training sessions earlier this year. The sessions were a chance for participants to learn more about the policy, which was developed by IOM Ghana and the IOM Development Fund (IDF), as well as share ideas and experiences that were applicable.

"Ghana’s government has come to the realization that if managed well, migration can be used as a catalyst to accelerate national development," Samuel Amankwah, director of research, statistics and information management at Ghana's Ministry of the Interior. "There is no family in Ghana that is not touched by migration.”