Felicia Adjei, the Member of Parliament for Kintampo South and a Foreign Affairs Committee member, concluded a five-day visit to Libya. She engaged Libyan authorities to address the challenges faced by Ghanaian migrants. This initiative aims to protect Ghanaian citizens and explore legal migration pathways.
The visit focused on Ghanaians from the Bono East Region. Many of these individuals travelled to Libya through dangerous irregular routes. They sought employment and better economic opportunities. Migrants in Libya often encounter severe challenges, including unemployment, lack of legal documents, and poor working conditions. Reports detail exploitation, physical abuse, human trafficking, and extortion.
Libya serves as both a destination and transit country for migrants from Ghana. Many migrants cross the Sahara Desert hoping to work in Libya. Others attempt to continue to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea. Such journeys, often organised by smugglers, expose migrants to dehydration, hunger, violence, and life-threatening conditions. International organisations have documented serious human rights violations against migrants in Libya. These include arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, and exploitation.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlights the scale of Ghanaian migration concerns. In 2024, the IOM assisted 1,597 Ghanaian migrants to return safely from Libya. This was done through nine charter flights. Since 2017, over 8,000 Ghanaian migrants have received voluntary return support from the IOM. Many of these beneficiaries were stranded or experienced hardship along irregular migration routes.
Ms. Adjei held discussions with senior Libyan officials during her visit. She met the President of the Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi. She also met the Chairman of the High Council of State, Mr. Mohamed Muftah Takala. The discussions centered on the welfare, protection, and legal status of Ghanaians in Libya. Particular attention was given to those from the Bono East Region.
The MP also explored establishing bilateral partnerships between Ghanaian and Libyan institutions. These partnerships would promote safe and properly documented travel between the countries. Stronger cooperation could create legitimate employment opportunities. It could also protect Ghanaian workers from exploitation. This would reduce the number of young people relying on smugglers and dangerous desert routes.
Ms. Adjei announced plans to establish a skills training and migration resource centre. This centre will be located in the Kintampo South Constituency. It will provide vocational and employable skills training to young people. It will also educate prospective migrants about regular migration procedures and employment opportunities. The centre aims to equip young people with practical skills for jobs in Ghana or for legal migration channels abroad. The initiative will work with government institutions, development partners, and Libyan authorities.
Ms. Adjei pledged to advocate for bilateral labour arrangements. These arrangements would allow qualified Ghanaians to travel to Libya legally. They would work under defined contracts and receive protection from both countries. She also expressed concern for migrants wanting to return to Ghana but lacking funds or documentation. The MP committed to engaging the Government of Ghana, the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya, and the IOM. This engagement will support the safe return and reintegration of stranded migrants.