From left: Friedrich Kitschelt, Frank –Walter Steinmeier and Ignatius Baffour-Awuah cutting the tape to officially open the centre.
German President Frank–Walter Steinmeier yesterday opened the Ghanaian-German Center located on the ground floor of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Heights, Accra, which will focus on jobs, migration and reintegration.
The short ceremony was attended by the German Deputy Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Friedrich Kitschelt, Minister of Employment and Labour Relation, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng and Ghana’s Ambassador to Germany, Gina Ama Blay.
The Centre will serve as a point of contact for people looking for opportunities in Ghana, offer counseling to returnees who need support with their social and occupational integration, as well as Ghanaians in search of vocational training and employment opportunities in Ghana.
It will also provide unique opportunities and access to networks of the German Cooperation, as well as other organizations.
Mr Kitschelt, speaking at the opening of the centre, said the centre will support returnees with social and occupational reintegration.
“The centre is the first point of contact for Ghanaians who have returned from abroad and need help reintegrating,” he said.
He noted that the centre will offer information and advice on vocational training and employment opportunities in Ghana, including counseling on job and educational prospects, training units for job interviews and application documentation, as well as advice on how to start a business.
“This service is available for all Ghanaians not only for returning migrants,” he added.
Mr. Kitschelt further noted that the centre will provide information on options and requirements for legal migration to Germany and inform people about the risk involved in irregular migration.
Mr Baffour-Awuah, on his part, expressed confidence that the center, which is a cooperative venture between the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relation and the German Cooperation, will serve its purpose.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri