Ghana

Present in Ghana for over 30 Years

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been active in Ghana since 1987 and is contributing to the Government of Ghana’s efforts to manage migration effectively. IOM works with its partners in Ghana to promote safe migration, meet the growing migration challenges, advance the understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration, and uphold the human dignity and well-being of all migrants.

IOM Ghana continues to stand with the Government of Ghana to ensure the full implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) - in support of national development and to the benefit of Ghanaian migrants abroad and migrants in Ghana. The Global Compact builds on target 10.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in which Member States committed to cooperate internationally to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration.

IOM is an active member of the United Nations System in Ghana, and works within the United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP) 2018 – 2022, which presents the coherent vision and collective support of UN Agencies towards achieving Ghana’s development priorities.

The IOM main office, the Canadian Visa Application Centre and the Migration Health Assessment Centre are all located in Accra.

IOM Ghana’s areas of intervention

Migration Health

The Migration Health Division (MHD) at IOM Ghana conducts migration health assessments and provides travel health assistance for refugees and immigrant visa applicants for selected countries at the Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC) in Accra. MHD also provides medical services and coordinates migration health activities including health assessment, screenings, DNA sample collection, support to medical cases, and medical escort assistance as required, for 23 countries in West and Central Africa (WCA). Medical missions are conducted to strengthen health assessment and travel assistance capacity within the sub-region.

Operations & Movements

IOM Ghana coordinates Movement Operations in WCA and manages resettlement and movement projects and coordinates activities like pre-departure, transit and arrival orientation, provision of transportation, logistical support to travel, and support with real-time movement tracking. IOM Ghana also provides verification services by leveraging its local knowledge and strong network to mitigate immigration and visa fraud.

Counter-trafficking

Since 2002, IOM Ghana has partnered with the Government of Ghana, international development organisations, the diplomatic community as well as civil society to tackle issues surrounding trafficking in persons, organise rescue missions, and strengthen the institutional capacities. The most prevalent type of trafficking in Ghana is internal child trafficking, especially of children subjected to forced labour in the fishing, mining, agricultural and informal sectors, including street hawking, begging and portering. Ghanaian men, women and children are also recruited and sent to the Middle East, West Africa and Europe for forced labour and sex trafficking.

Migrant Assistance & Safe Migration

IOM Ghana supports migrants requiring protection and/or return and reintegration assistance. Beneficiaries assisted consist of irregular and regular migrants, failed asylum seekers, stranded migrants, and migrants in vulnerable situations, such as victims of trafficking, unaccompanied migrant children and migrants with medical needs. Through awareness raising activities IOM educates the public on various migration issues affecting Ghana.

Migration & Development

IOM’s migration and development programmes support Ghana’s efforts to leverage migration for sustainable development, support poverty reduction efforts and empower communities. Actions focus on remittances for development, diaspora entrepreneurship and transfer of skills.

Gender & Youth

IOM Ghana is committed to gender mainstreaming in all its migration management activities, as a person’s sex, gender identity and sexual orientation shape every stage of the migration experience. Furthermore, IOM constantly engages with the youth, for instance to mobilise action on the migration-related SDGs and to raise awareness on the dangers of irregular migration, the opportunities for the youth in the country, and safe and regular migration options.

Migration & Environment

Migration is a complex multidimensional phenomenon: environmental and climate factors are both drivers and pull factors, often related to economic, social, political and demographic aspects. Change in the environment, in conjunction with a community’s and an individual’s resilience and vulnerability to environmental risks and climate change, can influence migration trends. IOM Ghana works to ensure that the Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) nexus is considered in all its interventions.

Migration & the SDGs

The main reference to migration in the SDGs is made under SDG 10 on “Reduced Inequalities” (target 10.7), which strives to “facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.” But migration is well mainstreamed throughout the SDGs, which are interconnected and indivisible: progress in one area is linked to progress in all areas. In Ghana, IOM supports the Government in its ambition to harness the benefits of migration for socioeconomic development.

Migration & Mental Health

As part of the West Africa Democracy Radio‘s “Let’s Talk Migration” programme, IOM spoke about the link between mental health and migration, particularly the impact of traumatic events often experienced by migrants on irregular routes and mental health challenges that are common among migrants and returnees. We also hear about the holistic support IOM offers, including psycho-social support. Listen here: http://bit.ly/3ig9ftR

Migration & Climate Change

As part of the West Africa Democracy Radio‘s “Let’s Talk Migration” programme, IOM spoke about the link between migration, the environment and climate change. Listen to learn how for example coastal erosion in the South and changing rainfall patters in the North of Ghana impact the movement of people. We also hear from IOM’s Regional Office in West and Central Africa about the phenomenon in the region and IOM’s work towards addressing one of the biggest challenges of our times, migration in the context of environmental and climate change. Listen here: bit.ly/35usOsS

2018 achievements in figures

• 10,709 visa applications for Canada received
• 6,257 health assessments for visa applicants conducted at the Migration Health Assessment Centre in Accra
• 2,111 migrants and refugees supported to reach 31 countries of destination and resettlement
• 672 Ghanaians assisted to return home
• 362 Canada and Australia-bound refugees provided with cultural orientation before their departure
• 138 journalists trained on reporting on irregular migration, free movement and general migration related issues
• 50 survivors of child trafficking received coordinated reintegration assistance
• 80,600+ people reached in the Brong Ahafo, Central, Greater Accra and Western Regions through awareness raising activities

Related documents

• Migration in Ghana: A Country Profile 2019
• Review of financial transfers and remittances mechanisms in Ghana (2019)
• Internal and Cross-Border Adult Sex Trafficking in Ghana
• Ghanaian Domestic Workers in the Middle East
• Standard Operating Procedure to Combat Human Trafficking
• Standard Operating Procedures for Reintegration of Returnees in Ghana 

Annual reports

• 2018 Annual Report
• 2018 Year in Review
• 2017 Annual Report
• 2016 Annual Report

Careers and Procurement Opportunities

Position	Grade	Closing Date
Communications Assistant	G5	03 November 2021

Contact information

Mailing address:
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
P.O. Box 5222
Accra North
Ghana

Visiting address:
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Hse. 10, Plot 48
Osu Badu Road/Broadway
Airport West
Accra
Ghana

Tel: +233.302 742 930, +233.302 742 930
Fax: +233.302 742 931
Mobile: +233.244 315 129, +233.244 315 129, +233.244 315 143, +233.244 315 143
Email: iomaccra@iom.int
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IOMghana/

Canada Visa Application Center
Tel: +233.302 742 934, +233.302 742 934