Germany is facing a shortage of workers, while Ghana has a large young workforce. To bridge this gap, the Ghana Career and Migration Fair has become a key event where the two meet. The fair, run by the Ghana-European Centre of Jobs, Migration and Development, in collaboration with the European Union and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), aims to provide a platform for Ghanaians to explore employment opportunities in Germany and other EU countries.
The 2025 edition of the fair, themed "Unlocking Skills for the Future of Work," brought together over 60 local and international employers, innovators, and migration experts. It sensitized participants on proper job migration and ethical recruitment in Germany and other EU countries. Since its inception in 2018, the fair has welcomed over 20,700 participants and hosted more than 450 exhibitors.
German Ambassador Frederik Landshöft has been a strong advocate for legal and safe migration. At the 2025 fair, he emphasized that Germany had taken ambitious measures to attract talent, including a skilled immigration act passed two years earlier. He called it the right time for Ghana and Germany to build their future together.
Ambassador Landshöft's priorities for 2026 include security in West Africa, job-creating economic partnerships, and strong people-to-people ties. He recently highlighted that Germany wants to expand legal pathways for skilled labour migration from Ghana, as it faces an ageing population and worker demand in several sectors. Eight young Ghanaians had just left for vocational training in Germany.
However, Ambassador Landshöft also warned Ghanaians to be cautious of fake agents offering visa or migration help. He advised them to rely on official sources such as the Embassy's website and social media. The ambassador's engagement goes beyond jobs, as he called for an integrated strategy on climate-driven migration and reaffirmed Germany's support for peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and sustainable development in Ghana.
For Ghanaians seeking opportunities in Germany, the ambassador advised using only official channels, such as the German Embassy in Accra, DAAD Ghana, GIZ, and the fair. He also emphasized that vocational training (Ausbildung) is a legal route for young people alongside skilled work, but noted that language skills and recognised qualifications are usually required.
While legal migration can benefit young Ghanaians and the German economy, it also raises concerns about the impact on Ghana's workforce. The health-worker debate is a prime example, highlighting the need for a conversation on whether ethical recruitment, training partnerships, and returning skills can benefit Ghana as well.
Key points
- Germany is seeking to attract Ghanaian talent through legal migration pathways.
- The Ghana Career and Migration Fair has become a key event for Ghanaians to explore employment opportunities in Germany and other EU countries.
- Ambassador Landshöft has emphasized the need for caution against fake agents offering visa or migration help.
