The Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that the Ministry will use foreign policy as a tool to address the country’s unemployment challenges.
In responding to questions during his vetting before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Friday, the minister-designate specifically outlined that he will focus on economic diplomacy to address unemployment challenges.
“We will seek to aggressively pursue economic diplomacy that will allow bilateral agreements to be signed,” Ablakwa stated, outlining his plan to leverage Ghana’s international relationships to create opportunities for the country’s young people.
The Minister-designate emphasized that several countries are actively seeking Ghanaian employees, and he aims to ensure that foreign policy is used to turn this demand into a solution for the country’s unemployment crisis.
“There are lots of countries seeking Ghanaian employees. We will use foreign policy to address unemployment. We will make sure that brain drain becomes brain gain, where these agreements will help create jobs for the young people of our country”, Ablakwah explained.
Ablakwah’s proposed strategy involves formalizing and expanding bilateral agreements that will facilitate the hiring of Ghanaian workers abroad.
However, he is determined to ensure that the country capitalizes on the growing demand for skilled labor in various international markets, thus providing young Ghanaians with meaningful employment opportunities.
“There are lots of countries seeking Ghanaian employees. We will use foreign policy to address unemployment. We will make sure that brain drain becomes brain gain. Where these agreements will help create jobs for the young people of our country. Expect that we will formalize this arrangement and we will be deliberate about it to create jobs.”
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