By Muniratu Akweley Issah, GNA
Accra, Aug. 14, GNA – Twenty-three Ghanaian migrant returnees have graduated from a six-month logistics training programme designed to support their reintegration and access to sustainable livelihoods.
The first cohort of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)-DHL Ubuntu Academy completed the programme in Accra, with the training implemented in partnership with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
Ms Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Chief of Mission for Ghana, Togo and Benin, said stronger public-private partnerships were needed to equip returnees and other vulnerable groups with relevant skills and economic opportunities.
She said private sector participation in reintegration initiatives could promote economic inclusion, reduce vulnerability and support social cohesion.
“This initiative would not have been possible without the strong collaboration between IOM, DHL, and the Youth Employment Agency. Together, we demonstrate that reintegration is most effective when public institutions, the private sector and international organisations work hand in hand,” she said.
Ms Ndiaye commended DHL for investing in skills development and creating opportunities capable of supporting the reintegration of migrant returnees.
Ms Regina Wireku-Thompson, Deputy Director, Technical and Partnerships of the Labour Exchange Programme at YEA, said returnees often faced uncertainty and fear about their ability to survive and rebuild their lives after returning to Ghana.
“They return with a lot of fear of what could happen to them. Are they going to be able to survive? So when IOM helps them to return, we do not want to leave them on their own,” she said.
Ms Wireku-Thompson said the logistics training was one of several opportunities offered to returnees, with participation based on individual choice.
She said the partnership with the private sector was essential to creating sustainable employment opportunities for returning migrants.
“If we do not partner with the private sector, it becomes very difficult to get things done because government and development partners cannot handle it alone,” she said.
Ms Wireku-Thompson appealed to more employers to partner with the YEA to expand opportunities for returnees.
“We want to widen our reach so that when somebody returns, we see opportunities. We should keep widening our arms to receive all other Ghanaians that return so that when they are home, they feel at home,” she said.
Ms Wireku-Thompson said the YEA had undertaken a 16-region outreach programme to educate young Ghanaians about employment opportunities under its Labour Exchange Programme and the risks associated with irregular migration.
Mr Sulema Futa, Head of Human Resource, DHL, said businesses had a responsibility to contribute to developing skilled and inclusive workforces.
He said the Ubuntu Academy had exposed participants to industry knowledge, standards and workplace experiences to prepare them for the labour market.
Mr Futa said the technical skills acquired could provide opportunities across different sectors, but stressed that professionalism, teamwork, communication, punctuality, adaptability and integrity were also essential for sustained career development.
Ms Joana Dela Edem Akapko, a graduate, expressed appreciation to IOM, DHL, YEA and other partners for the opportunity, saying the training had equipped participants with skills they could further develop.
She said the knowledge and skills acquired would support their reintegration and provide opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The graduation ceremony was held on the theme: “Empowering Returnees through Skills, Dignity and Opportunity: Accelerating the Success of the IOM-DHL Ubuntu Academy Graduates.”
As part of DHL’s support, 16 laptops were handed over to IOM to support the Ubuntu Academy and improve beneficiaries’ access to digital learning resources.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Muniratu Issah