Illegal Migration: German president pledges job creation aid in Ghana

Germany plans to assist Ghana in creating better economic opportunities to discourage illegal migration, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday.

Steinmeier said this in Accra at the beginning of a four-day visit to Ghana.

“We want to help Ghana to offer its young citizens better opportunities than the life-threatening journey of illegal migration,” Steinmeier said.

He said that it was the mutual obligation of European and African nations to warn people of the great dangers of the migratory journey towards Europe.

“We have to fight together against criminal trafficking networks,” the president said, highlighting the fact that Germany was granting asylum to those fleeing political persecution and conflict, but not to economic migrants.

Later on Tuesday, Steinmeier, who is travelling with German Economic Minister, Brigitte Zypries, met with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo to discuss bilateral trade relations.

“I am completely convinced that [Akufo-Addo] is serious about a more investment-friendly environment in Ghana,” said Steinmeier.

He said Germany needs to come up with ways of increasing the number of skilled jobs in Ghana, to give citisens reasons to stay in the region.

Steinmeier is also scheduled to open a migration advisory centre in Accra on Wednesday, aimed at training young Ghanaians and supporting business start-ups.