Civil Society Group, Amahoro Coalition has called for a review of Ghana’s laws to ensure that refugees can secure employment and contribute their skills to national development.
Although Ghana’s Refugee Act of 1992 grants refugees the right to work, move freely, and access public services, new research indicates that administrative gaps continue to undermine the full realization of these rights.
Speaking at the launch of the Pathways to Employment country reports on February 11, 2026, the Principal Strategy Custodian for Growth at the Amahoro Coalition, Bathsheba Asati, stressed the need for practical measures to support refugee integration.
She identified access to the Ghana Card as a critical step in enabling refugees to participate fully in the economy and strengthen their contribution to the country.
The Principal Strategy Custodian noted “I think that a policy reform we need to work on is how people who have experienced displacement, or refugees, can access the Ghana Card because without it, you cannot really integrate. Without the Ghana Card, you cannot get SSNIT, you cannot access Tier 2 pensions, you cannot open a bank account. In some places, you cannot even get a SIM card to communicate.”
She added, “I think the role the private sector can play in hiring people who have experienced displacement or refugees is to demonstrate openness and flexibility in recruiting some of these individuals. When we talk about openness and flexibility, as I mentioned earlier, these are people who bring very relevant and tangible skills.”
However, Ghana hosts thousands of refugees and asylum seekers from neighboring countries affected by conflict and instability.
While the legal framework provides protections and certain rights, implementation challenges—particularly in documentation, identification, and access to formal financial and employment systems—have limited full economic participation.
Advocates argue that improving access to national identification systems and strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector could enhance refugee self-reliance while contributing to Ghana’s broader economic development goals.
By Coffie Mawuedem Noel
