The Member of Parliament for Kintampo South, Felicia Adjei, has called for a coordinated national effort to address the root causes of irregular migration and to support returnees reintegrate successfully into Ghanaian society.
The curb illegal migration of young people the MP urged the need for the expedited passage of the Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill.
The bill which has been under review since 2020, once passed into law, will help ease the process of starting businesses, provide access to financing and training, protect intellectual property, and coordinate government and donor efforts in youth empowerment.
Hon. Adjei urged the government to fast-track the finalization of the Startup Act and called on Parliament to rally behind the legislation.
“Let us give our young entrepreneurs the tools they need to build successful businesses and help Ghana grow,” she concluded.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on Friday July 11, 2025, the lawmaker expressed concern about the growing trend of youth emigration, particularly from the Kintampo South constituency, and the urgent need for systemic solutions.
She proposed the
According to the lawmaker, many young Ghanaians risk dangerous journeys to destinations like Libya in search of better opportunities due to the lack of jobs and economic prospects at home. “We are losing smart and talented people who could help build Ghana,” she stated, lamenting the continued brain drain caused by limited local opportunities.
While acknowledging the efforts of successive governments to curb youth unemployment through initiatives like the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), she emphasized that these interventions remain fragmented and under-resourced.
“Those who return home bring hope,” she stressed, highlighting that returnees often come back with valuable skills and experiences that could benefit the country’s development. However, she noted that many returnees face significant challenges reintegrating due to limited institutional support and a lack of capital to start or expand businesses.
The MP underscored the importance of educating the youth about the risks of irregular migration using community-based platforms such as schools, churches, and social media. She also called for a unified national strategy to boost youth entrepreneurship and job creation.
Central to her proposal was an appeal for the expedited passage of the Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill, which has been under review since 2020. The bill, once passed into law, is expected to ease the process of starting businesses, provide access to financing and training, protect intellectual property, and coordinate government and donor efforts in youth empowerment.
Hon. Adjei urged the government to fast-track the finalization of the Startup Act and called on Parliament to rally behind the legislation.
“Let us give our young entrepreneurs the tools they need to build successful businesses and help Ghana grow,” she concluded.
