The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ghana Office, in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, has facilitated the safe return of 144 Ghanaian migrants from Libya under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) Programme.
The returnees arrived at the Accra International Airport in two batches, about twenty minutes apart, and were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Immigration Service, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Department of Social Welfare, the Ghana Health Service, and other key stakeholders engaged in migrant protection and reintegration.
Authorities explained that the evacuation forms part of a longstanding partnership between Ghana and IOM to ensure safe, orderly, and dignified return for nationals stranded abroad, particularly in conflict‑affected and high‑risk migration transit countries such as Libya.
Upon arrival, the migrants underwent immigration and health screening and were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, psychosocial support, and transportation. They will also be enrolled in reintegration programmes tailored to individual assessments, covering livelihood assistance, vocational skills training, and socio‑economic empowerment initiatives.
The Government of Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of citizens abroad and expressed appreciation to IOM and other partners for their continued support in facilitating voluntary humanitarian evacuations. Officials further emphasized the importance of regular and safe migration, urging prospective migrants to make informed decisions and to avoid the dangers of irregular migration and human smuggling networks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged to continue working closely with IOM, Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad, and relevant national institutions to provide consular assistance to citizens in distress and to strengthen efforts promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration.
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