Jobs offered some South Africa returnees did not match skills – Ambassador Agyeman

Some Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa were offered jobs that did not match their skills and experience, the Coordinating Director for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Harold Adlai Agyeman, has disclosed.

He said an assessment of the returnees found that some of the employment opportunities initially identified for them were unsuitable, prompting the government to explore alternative support measures.

Speaking at the launch of DW’s Under the Baobab in Accra, organised in collaboration with Channel One TV, Ambassador Agyeman said opportunities had been identified at companies including AirtelTigo and Engineers and Planners.

“Quite a number of the people who came, to be honest, we found that some of the jobs that were on offer, they weren’t suited. And that is the reality of the assessment that was done for some of them,” he said.

Ambassador Agyeman stressed that the government’s commitment to helping the returnees secure suitable livelihoods remains unchanged.

He, however, noted that not all the returnees could necessarily be absorbed into formal employment, adding that government institutions were developing interventions based on their different skills and circumstances.

He said the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection was also exploring support for women among the returnees, particularly those engaged in artisanal and other forms of work.

The support, he explained, could include entrepreneurship assistance and grants to enable some of the women to establish their own businesses, while private-sector opportunities would be pursued for those suited to formal employment.

“The commitment that the government made still stands. A commitment was made that they’ll be helped to find jobs that are suited to their experiences and competence,” Ambassador Agyeman stated.