Accra, Ghana - In an important milestone, the Phase III of the Integrated Programme on Fair Recruitment (FAIR III) in Ghana was successfully launched in Accra on 28 September 2023. The event brought together key stakeholders involved in labour migration and fair recruitment to reaffirm and communicate the project's objectives and goals.

The Integrated Programme on Fair Recruitment (FAIR III) is a global programme of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and dedicated to fostering fair recruitment practices supporting national institutions, social partners, businesses, and civil society organizations in implementing, monitoring, and regulating the recruitment of migrant workers. In Ghana, the third Phase of the FAIR Programme is made possible through support from the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC).  Both the SDC and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation also support global components of the project. This phase places a specific emphasis on migration corridors, including those from Ghana to the Arab States. 

During the event, the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Ms. Simone Giger, recognized the opportunity that labour migration represents for individuals to seek a better life – while also highlighting the risks of exploitation that irregular routes can constitute for migrant workers. 

The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, who presided over the program's launch, emphasized that the objectives of FAIR III align closely with the mandate of his ministry. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate and work together diligently to ensure that the rights of migrant workers in Ghana, as well as Ghanaian migrant workers abroad, are respected and always protected. 

During the event, Gaëla Roudy Fraser, the Project Manager of the FAIR III Programme, provided an overview of the achievements and activities of FAIR I & II at the global level and in other countries of implementation. Kamil Abubakari, the National Project Coordinator of FAIR III in Ghana, highlighted how the Programme's activities will contribute to the implementation of the National Migration Policy. 

The launch convened representatives from various ministries, including Employment and Labour Relations, Interior, Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. Additionally, key stakeholders such as representatives from the Ghana Trade Union Congress, Ghana Employers Association, The Labour Department, Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana Federation of Labour, the International Migration Policy Recruitment & Advisory Centre (IMPRAC), a private recruitment agency, and the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration, and Development were in attendance. 

The FAIR III Programme launch represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of fair recruitment practices in labour migration in Ghana. Collaboration among ILO Constituents and key stakeholders in labour migration remains paramount in achieving this objective.