The International Organization for Migration (IOM), DHL and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) have equipped 23 Ghanaian returnees with practical skills to improve their employment prospects and support sustainable reintegration.
The beneficiaries graduated from the IOM-DHL Ubuntu Academy programme in Accra, which sought to enhance their workplace readiness, employability and economic independence.
The graduation ceremony was held on the theme: “Empowering Returnees Through Skills, Dignity and Opportunity: Celebrating the Success of the IOM-DHL Ubuntu Academy Graduates.”
Ms Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Chief of Mission with Coordinating Functions, said sustainable reintegration involved more than simply returning migrants to Ghana.
She said returnees needed access to skills development, mentorship and economic opportunities to rebuild their lives and achieve independence.
Ms Ndiaye said the Ubuntu Academy had provided the beneficiaries with practical skills, workplace readiness and confidence to pursue meaningful employment.
She commended DHL for supporting the programme through the donation of 16 laptops and the provision of internship opportunities for the graduates.
According to her, the partnership between IOM, DHL and YEA demonstrated the importance of collaboration among international organisations, Government institutions and the private sector in supporting migrant reintegration.
Mr Suleman Futa, representing the Head of Human Resources at DHL, said the company remained committed to developing a skilled and inclusive workforce.
He said DHL had shared industry knowledge, standards and workplace experiences with participants, adding that the skills acquired could open employment opportunities across various sectors.
Mr Futa, however, said technical knowledge alone was not enough to guarantee long-term career success.
He therefore urged the graduates to develop professionalism, teamwork, effective communication, punctuality, adaptability and integrity.
He said DHL would support the graduates with internship opportunities to gain practical workplace experience and apply the knowledge acquired during the programme.
Ms Regina Wireko Thompson, Deputy Director for Technical and Partnerships at the Labour Exchange Programme of YEA, said employment was critical to helping returnees rebuild their lives after returning to Ghana.
She said IOM had supported returnees through psychosocial assistance, entrepreneurship training and skills development, while YEA had assisted learners who required support to complete their online courses.
Ms Thompson said the 16 laptops donated by DHL would be deployed to YEA centres in the Greater Accra, Bono, Bono East and Ashanti regions to support learners.
She urged employers to recognise the skills, experiences and resilience of returnees and provide them with opportunities to secure decent employment.
Ms Joana Akakpo, one of the graduates, expressed gratitude to IOM and DHL for the training, saying it had broadened her understanding of the logistics industry.
She said the programme exposed her to areas including quick commerce, aerospace logistics, communications and customs procedures.
