Ghana and Qatar to conclude Labour Mobility Agreement

Ghana and the State of Qatar have agreed to expedite the conclusion of a labour mobility agreement that will create job opportunities for skilled young Ghanaians, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.

The agreement, according to Ablakwa, is a key outcome of bilateral discussions in Doha following his official visit on the invitation of the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Announcing the outcomes of his visit in a social media post on Friday, Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasized that discussions with Doha focused on key issues aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.

“Our fruitful bilateral discussions have focused on forging closer ties, increasing trade, strategic security cooperation and collaborating in conflict mediation as our two countries believe in a multilateral rule-based order anchored on peace and stability,” he wrote.

The Minister’s post indicated that the prospective labour mobility agreement is expected to provide a structured framework for skilled Ghanaian professionals, particularly the youth, to access employment opportunities in one of the most prosperous economies in the Middle East.

Beyond the labour agreement, the two governments have also committed to easing visa requirements to facilitate greater movement of people and goods, building upon the existing direct flight connections between Ghana and Qatar.

To further deepen economic integration, the Minister revealed that the two nations have planned to facilitate a high-profile “Presidential Ghana-Qatar business forum” during a scheduled visit by President John Mahama to Qatar next month.

The forum, Ablakwa noted, aims to create direct business partnerships and synergies between the private sectors of both countries.