GERMANY is open to signing a labour mobility agreement with Ghana that could see thousands of young Ghanaians take up legal employment in Europe, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.
In a Facebook post on May 14, Ablakwa revealed that discussions are currently underway with German authorities to create a bilateral framework enabling safe, structured, and dignified employment for Ghanaian youth — similar to Germany’s recent agreement with Kenya.
‘Germany is open to the idea of signing a labour mobility agreement with Ghana which will allow thousands of Ghanaian youth to be employed in Germany under a special bilateral arrangement,’ the minister wrote.
Ablakwa: Deal to mirror Kenya’s success
Ablakwa said the proposed pact would mirror the Germany-Kenya migration agreement, which has created formal employment pathways for skilled Kenyan workers in Germany, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and logistics.
‘This agreement, currently under discussion, would guarantee safe, rewarding and dignified employment — similar to what Germany and Kenya signed recently. We expect actual implementation soon,’ he said.
High-level discussions in Berlin
The announcement followed high-level talks in Berlin held on the sidelines of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, where Ablakwa met with key German officials including Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Joachim Stamp, the Special Representative of the German Federal Government for Migration Agreements, and senior figures from the German Interior Ministry.
‘Great meetings with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Mr Joachim Stamp — the Special Representative of the Federal Government for Migration Agreements, and top officials of the German Interior Ministry on the margins of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial ongoing in Berlin,’ Ablakwa wrote.
The discussions are seen as part of Ghana’s push to expand international partnerships that directly benefit the country’s workforce and youth.
Mahama government focused on youth and opportunity
The initiative aligns closely with the foreign policy agenda of President John Mahama, who has championed pragmatic, people-first diplomacy since returning to office in January 2025. Ablakwa emphasised that the government’s international efforts are centred on addressing domestic challenges — especially youth unemployment.
‘President Mahama’s government believes in meaningful and impactful diplomacy which boldly addresses the most important challenges confronting our people,’ Ablakwa noted.
Pathway to legal migration and economic growth
The proposed Ghana-Germany labour agreement would create legal, regulated pathways for migration, helping reduce the risks associated with irregular travel while also easing pressure on Ghana’s strained job market. For Germany, the deal would help plug labour shortages in critical industries.
While the timeline for implementation has not been finalised, Ablakwa’s comments suggest that technical-level negotiations are imminent and that both sides are keen to reach an agreement swiftly.
Observers have welcomed the move as a model for win-win cooperation between African nations and industrialised partners, blending development diplomacy with concrete job creation.
