Parliament has ratified a landmark Labour Mobility Agreement between Ghana and Qatar, a development which marks a major advancement in bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, labour relations, and diplomatic engagement to ensure improved working conditions for Ghanaian workers in Doha.
The agreement, announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was ratified in accordance with Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution, and guarantees significantly improved working conditions for Ghanaians who will be deployed to Qatar. These benefits include enhanced salaries, decent accommodation, medical allowances, insurance cover, and enforceable contracts.
Reacting to the ratification, Mr Ablakwa posted on X to share the groundbreaking news stating:
“The far-reaching Labour Mobility Agreement with Qatar, ratified under Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, guarantees better and protected conditions of service for prospective Ghanaian workers in Qatar. Ghanaians we send to Qatar for employment will now be entitled to better salaries, accommodation, medical allowances, insurance, and binding contracts.”
The Labour Mobility Agreement which has been one of the key arrangements with Doha the minister has championed in his former diplomatic visits is a great step to further easing visa agreements between the two countries and guarantees better and protected conditions of service for prospective Ghanaian workers in Qatar which he hailed
In the same sitting, Parliament approved the 2026 budget estimates for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a milestone the Minister says will enable critical reforms across the Ministry.
“The approval of the 2026 budget will ensure that reforms such as enhanced conditions of service for foreign service officers, transitioning from costly rentals to owning our diplomatic properties across the world, continuous modernization and affordable passport administration, and an overarching strategy to bolster Ghana’s international image are delivered with efficiency and integrity.”
A major component of the approved budget is the Ministry’s plan to shift from renting to owning diplomatic properties. As part of this shift, the Ministry intends to construct Ghana-owned consulates in four countries, a significant administrative and financial reform.
Mr Ablakwa described the ratification of the agreement and the approval of the budget as clear evidence of Ghana’s deliberate, worker-focused, and globally responsive foreign policy agenda, one designed to protect Ghanaian workers abroad while strengthening the nation’s presence on the world stage.
During his Government Accountability Series, the Minister disclosed Ghana’s plans to open new consulates in Singapore, Dublin (Ireland), Massachusetts (USA), and Lisbon (Portugal), which lurks in fruition as the budget estimate has been approved. Once operational, these additions will expand Ghana’s diplomatic network to 13 High Commissions, 48 Embassies, and 18 Consulates.
Source: diplomatictimesonline.com