A new office at the City Hall, dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by migrants in the Accra Metropolis, has been officially launched.
The Migrant Desk, a collaboration between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is designed to work alongside the Social Welfare Department and the Ministry of Interior. It aims to build on the successes of the CLEAN Project, which focused on integrating migrants into the informal waste sector, among other initiatives.
Key responsibilities of the Migrant Desk will include data collection and analysis, policy development, stakeholder training, inter-agency coordination, and engaging migrant communities to ensure their active participation in decision-making processes.
During the launch, the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Sackey, acknowledged the significant role migrants play in the city’s economy, especially in waste management and the informal sector, while also highlighting the challenges of marginalization and limited opportunities they often face.
“The Migrant Desk reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable city for all residents,” she stated, adding that the desk will provide advisory services, develop policies, gather data, and form partnerships to support the socio-economic integration of migrants.
Ms. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission for IOM in Ghana, Togo, and Benin, emphasized the importance of accurate migration data for effective management of both regular and irregular migration pathways, ensuring the protection of migrants.
In her address, Ms. Ndiaye also pointed out the diverse profiles of migrants in Ghana, noting that as a major regional and international destination, Ghana attracts both internal and international migrants. This underscores the need for precise data collection.
The Migration Desk will play a crucial role in gathering accurate data on migrants arriving in and leaving Accra, as well as those settling in the city, ensuring migrant protection and addressing their unique challenges in Accra.
Ms. Ndiaye emphasized that the collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (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.
Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Simone Giger, 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.
Chairman of the Informal Waste Collectors Association and a representative of migrant workers, Lambimah Mahama 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 Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Labour and Welfare, 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.
