UN High Level meeting on International Migration Review Forum 2026

Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak
Minister of the Interior, Ghana
United  Headquarters
May 7th, 2026, New York

Madam President, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
On behalf of the Government and the President of the Republic of Ghana, I extend cordial greetings to this esteemed assembly. It is a privilege to address the International Migration Review Forum and to present Ghana’s progress in advancing the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.

Since the adoption of Resolution A/Res/73/195 in 2018, Ghana has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the principles underpinning international migration governance. As a Champion Country, Ghana has instituted robust mechanisms, notably the National Migration Policy and the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration, which embody a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. The subsequent development of a three-year National Implementation Plan has enabled us to prioritize the protection of migrants’ human rights, the structured management of return and reintegration, and the exercise of national sovereignty. These efforts are comprehensively documented in Ghana’s 2026 IMRF Voluntary Review Report.

Ghana’s progress is reflected in our steadfast inter-institutional coordination, which safeguards the lives and rights of all migrants. We have advanced refugee inclusion and self-reliance through innovative agricultural and agribusiness initiatives. The Ghana Refugee Agribusiness and Sustainability Programme, launched in partnership with UNHCR, integrates refugees into productive agricultural activities, strengthens host communities, and ensures long-term sustainability. Beneficiaries receive land, agricultural inputs, and training, while protection measures are rigorously enforced. Our inclusive model grants refugees access to national healthcare, education, and agricultural extension services, thereby fostering social cohesion and shared prosperity.

Furthermore, Ghana has expanded regular migration pathways through Bilateral Labour Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. Over 400 Ghanaian nurses have migrated to the Caribbean (Grenada & Barbados), and additional professionals have secured opportunities in Qatar and the UAE, thereby addressing labor shortages and enhancing safe migration channels1.
Remittances remain a cornerstone of our national economy, with $7.10 billion received in 2024, representing 8.6% of GDP. We advocate for enhanced international cooperation to reduce remittance transfer costs, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and the imperative of financial inclusion.

Our Migration Policy on Return, Readmission, and Reintegration is central to our agenda. We are operationalizing a National Referral Mechanism and promoting sustainable reintegration by connecting returnees with skills development, employment services, and entrepreneurship opportunities, while actively countering stigma and ensuring dignified returns. These initiatives are made possible through the invaluable support of our international partners.

In closing, the Government of Ghana reaffirms its commitment to strengthening migration governance, promoting migrant inclusion, and safeguarding peace and security. However, the challenges and opportunities of migration transcend national borders. I therefore call upon all Member States and international partners to intensify collaboration, share best practices, and mobilize resources to advance the objectives of the Global Compact. Only through sustained global cooperation can we ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration, foster inclusive development, and uphold the dignity and rights of all migrants.

I thank you for your attention.