Accra – On 8 February 2024, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon Evans Opoku Bobie, and IOM Ghana Goodwill Ambassador, Kofi Kinaata, joined the team of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Government partners to welcome 143 Ghanaian returned migrants (137 male and 6 females, including 5 children) who voluntarily returned from Libya via charter flight. As part of IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return Assistance Programme, this support is made possible thanks to the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) funded by the European Union.

“The returned migrants here today are young and skilled Ghanaians. We will encourage them to use the skills they learned abroad here in their home country. In collaboration with IOM and other migration stakeholders, we will help them take advantage of opportunities available so that they meet their socioeconomic needs and can support their families,” remarked Deputy Minister Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie, Ministry of Youth and Sports, on behalf of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), National Investigation Bureau (NIB) and Ghana Police Service (GPS) played their respective roles to ensure a smooth post arrival reception process for the returned migrants at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Importantly, trained staff from IOM, Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) provided psychological first aid and mental health screenings to assess the need for further assistance and possible referrals.

“We are proud to welcome our migrants back home. IOM with our partners, including the Government of Ghana, stand ready to accompany these returnees on their journeys of reintegration back into their communities,” said IOM Ghana Chief of Mission, Ms. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye.

The migrants were excited to be greeted by Kofi Kinaata, who took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment as IOM Ghana Goodwill Ambassador.

“I know returning home can be difficult. Therefore, I tried to provide the migrants who returned today with words of encouragement, to motivate them to explore opportunities at home, and travel safely in the future,” said Kofi Kinaata. He added: “I continue to use my music to reach young people who might not have access to accurate information about migration.”

IOM’s assistance also included the provision of food, water, hygiene kits, pocket money for immediate needs, standard minimum package, and onward transportation to areas of high return including Dormaa Ahenkro, Kintampo, Kumasi, and within Accra.

“I trained as an Axel Mechanic in Ghana and was told I would find work in Libya, so I decided to travel. When I arrived, I could only find jobs as a mason, which I have no interest in,” said one returnee. He added: “I would encourage young people to do their research before they travel. You might end up somewhere where you can’t find a job with the skills you have, and you will struggle.”

Going forward, IOM and partners will support the returned migrants to develop comprehensive reintegration plans involving economic, social and psychosocial needs, which may also include identifying income-generating activities, housing, education, or training to develop businesses and vocational skills.

For more information, please contact Victoria Adomako, IOM Ghana Reintegration Assistant, at VKankam@iom.int.