Some recruitment agencies in Ghana have defied the government’s ban on the recruitment of workers to the Gulf countries.
In 2017, the government placed a temporary ban on the recruitment of workers to Gulf countries after a hike in reported cases of abuse faced by migrant workers.
These countries include Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Despite this ban, some recruitment agencies like Dangaskiya are taking advantage of the high unemployment situation to swindle frustrated and desperate unemployed graduates.
‘Kpakpo’, (not his real name) has been unemployed for the past five years.
Having completed the University of Ghana in 2008, several attempts to secure a good and permanent job has been unsuccessful.
Lack of faith in the Ghanaian job market led him to a job recruitment agency, Dangaskiya ventures located at Ofanko barrier.
Kpakpo said, “We went for the recruitment at the Accra sports stadium in May 2017 and after going through the procedure, some of us were selected for the job opportunity. And trust me even before I got home I started receiving calls from officials Dangaskiya to begin payment procures. The total amount was a little over 2,000 dollars and they asked for half down payment for processing to begin. So a week after the recruitment, I managed to get the 1,000 dollars.”
It’s been over a year now, and kapok’s dream of finally securing a job is yet to be fulfilled.
“We were promised a job at world securities in Dubai so after payment we were told to wait. Somewhere around June, I followed up again and they told me to wait because it was during the Ramadan period so the process will go through after the fasting period.
After the fasting period, I followed up again and they told me they were processing it, two months came, three, months, and I also wanted it so I gave them the benefit of the doubt and kept believing it will work” then December came, then we entered the new year. So somewhere around February 2018, I decided it was enough so I wanted my money back.
Then I was told to write a letter for a refund which I did, and since then, it’s been one story to another. You call sometimes they pick; other times they won’t answer my calls. Sometimes when I get through to them, they tell me the boss is not around. It’s been over a year now and I am still chasing my money”. Kpako narrated.
Based on this information, JoyBusiness contacted one Subiada of Dangaskiya ventures, for their take on the allegation.
According to Subiada, the claims were untrue.
“I don’t even know the people you are talking about and we don’t keep people’s money without honouring our promises. We are not keeping anybody’s money for over a year now. It’s not true” Subiada insisted
Following this firm denial, we placed a hidden recorder on Kpakpo and another victim who returned to the company.
“You will get your money soon”. The same subiada who had earlier denied the allegations was heard assuring Kpakpo and his friend of a refund soon.
“You will get your money next month. The money we were expecting from Nigeria didn’t come in full, only $1000 came and it wasn’t even enough to even pay one person so when the MD comes, I will personally call you guys to come and meet him”. Subiada pleaded.
Graduate unemployment in Ghana
According to data from the Institute of Statistics, Social and Economic Research only 10 per cent of graduates find jobs after their first year of completing school.
Ghana’s unemployment rate as of 2017 was approximately 2.36 per cent.
Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult for most graduates to secure jobs pushing many including Kpapko to seek greener pastures abroad.
And even that is no longer guaranteed.
Mexico presents proposals to fly national carrier directly to Ghana
The Ministry of Aviation and the Mexican embassy in Ghana are looking to finalize a bilateral air service agreement by the end of the year that will allow direct flights from Mexico to Ghana.
This development came up during a courtesy call on the Minister for Aviation by the Mexican Ambassador to Ghana.
According to María de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre, Mexico like Ghana is also set to have a new airport by 2020 with a capacity to process 95 million passengers hence the need for both countries to collaborate and make efficient use of the facilities.
Similarly, Joseph Kofi Adda also explained Ghana had also just completed a new terminal and looking forward to having more airlines patronize the facility.
After interactions, sample proposals exchanged by the two heads as a sign of commitment to kicking off the agreement.
According to the Deputy Minister of Aviation, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah also said, the exchange of documents is in hopes that approval will be given by the end of the year.
“Today the Mexicans brought their proposal and we also gave them our proposal on the air service bilateral agreement and from the looks of things we are expecting that by the end of the year we should be able to initial the agreement then we can send it to parliament. Once we do that we can sign an MOU which will allow as to start operating,” Mr Okyere Darko-Mensah said.
Mexico has traditionally been among the most visited countries in the world according to the World Tourism Organisation and the second most visited country in the Americas’ after the United States.
Ghana, on the other hand, is ranked as one of the friendliest countries in the world as visitors continue to troop in.
Figures from the Ghana Airports Company Ltd showed that the country saw more than 1.32 million international arrivals in 2016 up from 1.20 million in 2015.
With the glaring potentials for both nations, the Ministry believes initialling a direct flight between the two nations will boost tourism and trade for both countries.
Source:Myjoyonline