Ghana is signing MoU with countries interested in importing Ghanaians to work there to ensure their welfare and protection, the Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, has announced.
He said a number of countries were interested in Ghanaian labourers, and the signing, therefore, is to protect the workers and ensure their safety.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Monday [Nov 17, 2025], the Minister explained the labour export to a country in dire need of workers was part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing unemployment, increasing foreign exchange inflows and improving the skills base of Ghana's workforce.
Mr Agyekum explained that labour export was part of the vision of President John Dramani Mahama to tackle three major challenges in the country.
He identified the challenges as high unemployment, low foreign exchange inflows, and limited skills development.
Mr Agyekum explained that the initiative was not limited to any specific sector, adding that the programme covered both skilled and non-skilled workers.
He outlined the skilled workers sought for, to include doctors, nurses, teachers, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, carpenters, masons, steel benders, welders drivers, and chefs.
For the unskilled category, he said those needed included general labourers, cleaners, helpers, seasonal farm workers, and other individuals who would undergo basic six-week marine training to work on cruise or cargo ships.
The Minister said aside from the Carribean, where Ghanaian workers needed, other countries included Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and indeed, the Western world, which was now experiencing an ageing population.
"There is a huge gap in the Western world. Japan, for instance, needs a lot of people to work in various areas, such as in the farm, the construction industry, and the health industry, among others.
He identified other countries looking to recruit workers from Ghana to include South Korea, the UK, and Germany, adding, "all the countries in the world are in high demand of labour."
The Minister dispelled the perception that labour export was brain drain, insisting that it was rather a "brain gain" that solved unemployment and enhanced skills.
Additionally, he said if properly managed, labour export had the potential of raking in of over USD 10 billion for Ghana, suggesting that labour export could generate far more revenue than traditional exports such as cocoa and gold.
He cited international best practices where the Philippines made approximately USD135 billion annually, while India reached USD 126 billion in 2023 and USD 130 billion in 2024 from labour export.
