AmCham Ghana recently hosted a delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) led by Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission, Ghana Togo and Benin, to discuss how the private sector can contribute to sustainable migration pathways, skills development and diaspora engagement.
IOM, the United Nations migration agency, operates in over 100 countries and has 175 member states. Its mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of migrants and society. In Ghana, IOM has been present since 1987 and works closely with the Government to combat human trafficking, support border management and reintegrate returning migrants. Through the EU‑IOM Joint Initiative, the organisation has facilitated the voluntary return of more than 970 Ghanaians, mainly from Libya, since 2017 .
During the meeting, the IOM team provided an overview of its key programmes and ongoing initiatives. These include pre-departure health assessments and ethical recruitment processes for Ghanaian migrant workers, ensuring migrants are medically fit and properly prepared for employment abroad. The organisation also highlighted its community stabilisation projects in northern Ghana and border regions, which provide small grants, livelihood support, and training to communities vulnerable to instability and violent extremism. In addition, IOM shared its reintegration assistance programme, which combines psychosocial support, vocational training, and entrepreneurship grants. In 2025 alone, approximately 2,400 returning migrants benefited from these interventions.
AmCham Ghana outlined its role as a membership-based advocacy organisation that connects U.S. and Ghanaian businesses. The Chamber’s priorities include policy advocacy, market access, investment promotion, and trade facilitation. .The discussion highlighted new opportunities to collaborate with international partners such as IOM.
Several key areas of collaboration emerged from the conversation. Both organisations agreed that Ghana’s diaspora and U.S.-educated students represent an untapped resource. AmCham will work with IOM to explore the development of a platform to track overseas Ghanaian talent and connect them with internships and employment opportunities within member companies. The discussion also emphasised labour mobility and ethical recruitment, noting that IOM’s expertise in pre-departure training and health assessments could help AmCham members recruit internationally in a responsible and compliant manner. To support this, a joint forum on labour mobility will be organised to share best practices and practical guidance with the business community.
Corporate social responsibility was another important theme. The meeting highlighted the value of private sector involvement in reintegration programmes, with examples such as DHL’s logistics training for returnees demonstrating how companies can support sustainable livelihoods and social inclusion. In the area of policy advocacy, AmCham will incorporate migration-related issues into its advocacy agenda and work with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and other stakeholders on ethical recruitment and diaspora engagement.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue the dialogue and develop a concrete action plan. AmCham will designate focal points to coordinate with IOM on diaspora engagement, labour mobility, and reintegration initiatives.
Migration remains a critical driver of economic growth. When effectively managed, it expands the talent pool, unlocks diaspora investment, and fosters innovation. By partnering with IOM, AmCham Ghana can help its members tap into the skills and networks of Ghanaian migrants and returnees while supporting ethical recruitment and social responsibility. Members interested in these initiatives are encouraged to contact the Chamber for more information.
By By Albert Ludwig Botchway, AmCham Communications
