Ghana has taken a significant step forward in advancing the African Union Free Movement Protocol (AU-FMP) with renewed calls for accelerated ratification to position the country as a model for the sub-region.
On 26th and 27th August 2025, stakeholders from government institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, academia, and development partners convened in Accra for a two-day national dialogue on the AU-FMP. The discussion brought together over a hundred (100) participants - policymakers, migration experts, and AU officials to reflect on Ghana’s progress, examine the challenges that continue to delay ratification, and the way forward towards effective implementation.
The dialogue was convened by the Ministry of the Interior in partnership with the Coalition of CSOs in Migration, Ghana (CCMG), in collaboration with the Programme Shaping Development-Oriented Migration (MEG), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) also contributed through its Strengthening Mobility in West Africa (SMIWA) project, funded by the Government of Denmark.
Over the course of the dialogue, panel discussions, expert presentations, and technical briefings revisited the origins and objectives of the protocol, while reviewing Ghana’s efforts towards its ratification to date. Discussions highlighted the potential of the protocol to promote economic growth through labour mobility, trade and tourism, in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063. Participants also addressed misconceptions around the protocol, proposed solutions to existing barriers and highlighted the need for stronger advocacy among lawmakers and other key stakeholders to secure timely ratification. With support from German Development Cooperation, this National dialogue builds on an earlier capacity development training and peer-learning session held for CSOs in Africa towards advocating for the promotion of AU-FMP ratification by member states.
Lessons were drawn from Rwanda, one of the four AU member states that has ratified and operationalised the protocol. Rwanda’s experience demonstrated clear benefits, including increased revenue from tourism, alongside wider economic and social benefits linked to enhanced cross-border movement and trade. Participants also reflected on the successes of the ECOWAS Free Movement Regime, which has contributed to economic growth and advancement in West Africa.
A key outcome of the dialogue was a strong consensus on the urgency for Ghana’s ratification. While Ghana has made notable progress in migration governance, the pace of action on the AU-FMP remains slow. Stakeholders emphasised that full implementation of the protocol could stimulate industrialisation, job creation, skills development, boost trade within the continent, and strengthen remittance flows. Practical strategies were also proposed to facilitate the process and ensure effective operationalisation.
The dialogue further emphasised Ghana’s unique role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Participants highlighted the complementary value of the AU-FMP to AfCFTA; just as AfCFTA facilitates the free movement of goods across the continent, the AU-FMP enables the free movement of persons, together reinforcing continental integration and maximising shared benefits.
The two-day dialogue concluded with a strong call to action for policymakers, civil society, the private sector, academia, and development partners to intensify collaboration and advocacy efforts toward ratification. A communiqué capturing the recommendations and outcomes of the dialogue will be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior to guide next steps and reinforce Ghana’s role as a leader in migration governance.