By Elizabeth PUNSU
The Chairman for this year’s Ghana Career and Migration Fair (GCMF), Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, has made a clarion call to job seekers, particularly the youth, to persevere and be willing to push forward in their quest to become gainfully employed or to become entrepreneurs.
According to him, hard work, perseverance and a willingness to push forward are critical to achieving success.
Speaking at the 7th edition of the GIZ and the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development’s Ghana Career and Migration Fair in Kumasi, he noted that even though the road ahead may seem long and challenging, enduring until the desired results are achieved should be the goal.
He urged those considering migration to equip themselves properly to maximise their opportunities on the international front.
“It is through hard work, perseverance and a willingness to keep pushing forward that you will find success—whether you are looking to start a business, find a job, upgrade your skills or pursue further education. Never stop believing in your potential.
“For those considering migration, do not be discouraged by the challenges; the global job market is competitive, but with the right skills, mindset and perseverance, you can make a significant impact. Invest in your education and personal development, whether through formal schooling or practical hands-on experience,” he said.
Dr. Ofori Sarpong further called on the government to prioritise the creation of enabling policies that make it conducive for young people to thrive, indicating that the youth in the country do not lack potential.
“They need access to resources, finance, training, mentorship and infrastructure that can enable them to succeed. Make policies that encourage skills development both at home and abroad—policies that make it possible for young people to thrive in their own businesses or find fulfilling jobs,” Dr. Ofori Sarpong added.
Head of the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, Andreas Berding, mentioned that the Ghana Career and Migration Fair is a key initiative in this mission, having grown into a powerful platform for networking, information-sharing, skills development and the promotion of alternative career pathways.
“Since 2017, the Ghanaian-European Centre has been working in close partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to reach over 77,000 people in its efforts to support the aspirations of Ghanaians—both at home and abroad,” he said.
In addition to training, Andreas Berding noted that the centre has provided more than 11,000 start-up support packages to help participants turn their new skills into thriving businesses, contributing to Ghana’s overall economic development.
For his part, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Dr. Festus Awuah Kwofie, emphasised the importance of conferences like this in complementing the ministry’s efforts to promote sustainable employment opportunities while ensuring decent work for Ghanaians working abroad.
“It is for this reason that we applaud the organisers, the GIZ, and their partners for their support and sustained interest in strengthening labour migration governance.
“Promoting regular, safe and orderly labour migration is one of the pathways that has emerged as an opportunity to support the government’s job creation agenda. However, to effectively benefit from labour migration, it must be well-managed.
We must understand the labour demands in Germany, Europe and parts of Africa; and hope that by working together, we can provide opportunities for our teeming youth,” the Deputy Minister said.
