The Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD), has called on African leaders to adopt a deliberate and results-driven approach to labour dignity and diaspora inclusion.
He made the call at the 2025 African Labour and Employment Summit (ALES) in Accra on Thursday, July 24. The summit was held on the theme “The Future of Work and Labour Migration in Africa.”
KOD stressed the importance of moving beyond empty promises and rhetoric, indicating that “It should not be a talk show, as always.”
“We must be intentional. The policies exist, the right people are in the room—now is the time to act.”
KOD outlined the tangible steps Ghana is taking through the Diaspora Affairs Office, particularly its work with the Intersectoral Implementation Committee (ISIC).
According to him, the office is building partnerships across institutions and borders to integrate diaspora skills, investments, and entrepreneurship into national labour solutions.
He further emphasised the urgency for African nations to create structured systems to:
• Recognise skills across borders
• Protect migrant workers
• Formalise remittance channels
These steps, he said, are crucial for reducing economic dependency and improving productivity across the continent.
“We must place people at the heart of our labour policies,” KOD added. “Africa’s youth, both at home and in the diaspora, are counting on us to get it right.”
His remarks aligned with the summit’s larger focus on preparing Africa’s workforce for future challenges, including digital transformation, labour mobility, and the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“In closing, let’s not stop at vision statements. Let’s commit to real outcomes. Together, we can build a labour future worthy of Africa’s potential,” he said, earning applause from participants.
The summit continued with a series of panel discussions, workshops, and strategy sessions on youth employment, technology, and diaspora-driven development.