The government says it has repatriated over 450 Ghanaians stranded in the United Arab Emirates in August this year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in a press release said the stranded persons “were misled by unscrupulous agents who promised non-existent jobs in Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).”

The government said 80 victims were flown back into Ghana with the support of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity establishment in Dubai and other benevolent individuals.

“Additionally, 20 Ghanaians were evacuated with the support of an individual and friend of the Government of Ghana, Mr. Abdul Rarsak-Daheer in September 2022, on board Egypt Air,” the statement added.

The government also reiterated the ban on direct-to-home recruitment of Ghanaian labour migrants to homes in the Gulf states remains in force until further notice.

“The ban, however, does not affect the lawful recruitment of skilled workers (non-domestic house helps) to the Gulf States,” the statement added.

“The Ministry advises travelling Ghanaians to desist from embarking on journeys via illegal routes to various parts of the world, since this almost always has an unfortunate outcome.”