A new office at the City Hall of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), dedicated to addressing the challenges migrants face in the Metropolis, has been officially opened.
The new Migrant Desk, established in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is expected to work closely with the Social Welfare Department and the Ministry of The Interior.
This would help to build on the successes of the CLEAN Project of the AMA, which focused on integrating migrants into the informal waste sector, among other things.
Key functions of the Migrant Desk include data collection and analysis, policy development, stakeholder training, inter-agency collaboration, and engagement with migrant communities to ensure their active participation in decision-making processes.
Madam Elizabeth Sackey, the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive Officer, speaking at the event, acknowledged the significant contributions migrants make to the city’s economy, particularly in waste management and the informal sector, while highlighting the challenges of marginalisation and limited opportunities they often faced.
“The Migrant Desk represents our commitment to building an inclusive and equitable city for all residents,” she stated.
The desk would offer advisory services, develop policies, collect data, and foster partnerships to promote the socio-economic integration of migrants.
Ms. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission for IOM in Ghana, Togo and Benin, stressed the importance of accurate migration data to ensure the effective management of regular and irregular migration pathways while protecting migrants.
She highlighted the diverse profiles of migrants in Ghana and noted that the country, as a key regional and international destination, attracts not only internal and regional migrants but also international migrants, which underscored the importance of accurate data collection.
The Migration Desk, she said, would play a crucial role in gathering accurate data on migrants travelling to and from Accra, as well as those settling in the city to ensure migrant protection and address the specific challenges they face in Accra.
Ms. Ndiaye emphasized that the collaboration with the AMA was central to the project, as it allowed for better identification of migrants’ needs and the development of support mechanisms to facilitate their integration and reintegration into society.
Ms. Simone Giger, the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, commended the initiative, describing it as a strategic step to effectively manage migration and maximise its benefits for both migrants and host communities.
“When handled well, migration can unlock numerous development opportunities,” she said.
Mr Lambimah Mahama, the Chairman of the Informal Waste Collectors Association and a representative of migrant workers, expressed gratitude to the AMA and its partners for the initiative.
He noted that the desk would help address long-standing challenges related to accommodation, employment, and social support for migrants in Accra among others.
“This is a much-needed intervention that will improve the lives of migrants in the city,” he remarked.
The event was graced by dignitaries including representatives from the Ministries of The Interior, Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Labour and Welfare.
The rest were officials of the GIZ, Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa, the French Embassy, the Executive Director of People’s Dialogue, the Coordinating Director of the AMA, as well as Assembly Members and heads of departments within the AMA.
By Albert Allotey
GNA
