Accra & Kumasi, Ghana, 17-21 March 2025 – In a significant step toward ensuring fair and ethical recruitment practices in Ghana, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment, has conducted two critical training programs aimed at enhancing recruitment management in Ghana to advance regular migration pathways. The trainings, held in Accra for Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) and in Kumasi for Labour Inspectors and officers selected from labour offices across the country and from the Labour Department of the Ministry, form part of a broader initiative to combat unethical recruitment practices, protect migrant workers from exploitation and advance regular migration pathways.

Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the training for PEAs in Accra focused on ethical recruitment principles, responsible business practices, and compliance with international labour standards. With Ghana serving as both a source and destination country for migrant workers, PEAs play a pivotal role in ensuring fair hiring processes. The training aimed to equip these agencies with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent forced labour, human trafficking, and deceptive recruitment practices.

Speaking at the opening session of the Trainings, the Regional Programme Officer for West and Central Africa on Labour Migration and Social Inclusion (LMI), Ms. Fiorella Vargas, emphasized the importance of ethical recruitment in migration governance: “Ethical recruitment practices are essential in ensuring the dignity and rights of all workers. These trainings aim is to strengthen the ability of both private recruiters and labour inspectors to better protect migrant workers from abuse and exploitation, for them to be able to successfully integrate into their host communities and contribute to development."

Meanwhile, the training for Labour Inspectors and Officers in Kumasi provided technical guidance on assessing recruitment agencies, identifying violations, and enforcing Ghana’s labour laws. Labour inspectors serve as key enforcers of ethical recruitment policies, and their ability to detect and address irregularities in the labour migration process starting from recruitment to return or onward migration is essential to ensuring compliance with national and international labour standards.

The Acting Chief Director for the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Mrs Gloria Noi, also reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting ethical recruitment, stating: “Labour migration contributes significantly to Ghana’s economic development, but it must be properly regulated. Strengthening the capacity of both private employment agencies and labour inspectors is a vital step toward ensuring fair labour practices and safeguarding workers' rights.”

Speaking on the importance of the trainings, the National Project Officer, IOM Ghana, Mr. Eric Akomanyi noted: “Ensuring ethical recruitment is fundamental to protecting the rights and dignity of migrant workers. These trainings empower both private employment agencies and labour inspectors to uphold fair recruitment standards, prevent exploitation and promote regular migration pathways.”

Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to enhance their expertise in ethical recruitment, migrant rights, and labour law enforcement. A representative from a private recruitment agency remarked: “This training has deepened our understanding of ethical recruitment and will help us ensure that our recruitment processes meet both national and international standards even as we aim to apply for the International Recruitment Integrity System (IRIS) certification to enhance our operations to protect migrant workers.”

By reinforcing both regulatory oversight and private sector compliance, the training is expected to create a more transparent, accountable, and sustainable recruitment system in Ghana which is part of IOM Ghana’s broader efforts to strengthen migration governance, promote decent work and regular migration pathways, and ensure ethical recruitment practices.

For more information, kindly contact Mr. Eric Akomanyi, National Project Officer, IOM Ghana by email: eakomanyi@iom.int