The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to open up significant job opportunities for Ghanaian youth and expand investments into key sectors of Ghana’s economy, following a two-day official visit by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The visit, made at the invitation of the UAE government, culminated in the signing of a landmark agreement to commence the first-ever high-level political consultations between the two countries, an outcome both sides hailed as historic and strategically important.
“With honour and deep respect, I responded positively to a special invitation from the government of the United Arab Emirates to pay a two-day official visit to their incredibly beautiful and inspiring country,” Ablakwa said in a statement following his return.
According to Ablakwa, a “significant outcome was the signing of an agreement to commence the first ever high-level political consultations in the strategic interest of both countries.” These consultations are expected to serve as a formal platform to coordinate bilateral cooperation across sectors.
Of particular note were discussions around labor mobility and job creation for Ghanaian youth. “Massive job openings in UAE will soon be announced for the Ghanaian youth when we finalize our CEPA negotiations shortly,” Ablakwa said, referring to ongoing talks toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
The proposed labor export initiative is one of two key priorities discussed on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
The second is technical support from the UAE toward the establishment of a new national airline, part of a broader push to revive Ghana’s aviation sector.
“We also discussed two priority areas of President Mahama’s government being labour export for Ghanaian youth to UAE and technical support for a new national airline,” Ablakwa added.
Beyond labor cooperation, the minister secured commitments from Emirati businesses and investors, who are expected to visit Ghana in the coming weeks. The investment interests span renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, aviation, and defense sectors identified as central to Ghana’s economic recovery strategy.
“We obtained commitments from UAE companies who will be arriving in Ghana over the next few weeks to invest in sectors such as renewable energy, AI, education, health, aviation and defense, consistent with President Mahama’s declaration that Ghana is open for business again,” Ablakwa stated.
Ablakwa held the meetings with key figures including His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs; and ministers responsible for foreign trade, investment, and labor.
The renewed engagement with the UAE signals Ghana’s pivot toward more pragmatic, investment-focused diplomacy under the Mahama administration, anchored in job creation, foreign investment, and technical partnerships to drive long-term development.
