African returnee microentrepreneurs have been urged to acquire knowledge for a better understanding of business transactions, success, and sustainable enterprises rather than applying for large loans before starting a business without skills, management, saving, or knowing how to handle granted loans for starting a sustainable business.

This was the principal focus of the five-day Returnees Micro Residential Business Training held recently at the Credit Union Training Centre (CUTraC), Kasoa in Ghana.

It is an obvious sight in Africa that many citizens migrate without seeking pre-decision departure information and labour migration counselling due to unethical recruitment agencies/agents, poverty and the high unemployment rate on the continent.

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"These are some of the reasons, the leading migrant workers trade union organisation, MLGWUI is doing all it can to ensure Returned Migrants (Returnees) become microentrepreneurs or self-employed and beyond."

The Migrant Labour General Workers’ Union International (MLGWUI) is a migrant workers’ trade union organisation ensuring Decent Work, Social Justice, Protection, Education, Linguistic Culture, Occupational Safety and Health for Migrant Workers, Returned Migrants, Potential Migrants, Refugees and International Volunteers-Students in both Africa and Diaspora.

German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (DSIK) has cooperation partnership with the Migrant Labour General Workers’ Union International Union (MLGWUI) on ‘Economic Inclusion for Returnee and Potential Migrants in Ghana and The Gambia in Africa’.

This project helps migrants in returning to their home countries, potential migrants, and members of the communities, to build their livelihoods from their own businesses. Some of the objectives of the project are to equip Returnees and Potential Migrants with entrepreneurial skills and provide access to Credit Unions and their financial products and services as well as provide Credit with funds from the Migration Business Loan Fund for disbursements of loans.

In his closing remarks, the Business Training Manager/Co-ordinator for DSIK, Mr. Benjamin Tawiah Adomako said the German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation referred to as (DSIK) its project ‘Economic Inclusion for Returnees and Potential Migrants in Ghana and The Gambia in African’ seeks to help returnees to gain knowledge in doing their own businesses and managing them well.

He explained to participants that the first part of the training, called Micro Business Game (MBG), has a target intake of 1,000 people. Out of 1,000 applicants, 500 were chosen to participate in the second phase of training, known as Business Coaching Training. Following the submission of their business plans and thorough assessments, 200 of the 500 are eligible for loan grants.

He however stated, “The most important thing is the knowledge you Participants have acquired. It is not about the money and we expect you to use acquired knowledge, especially the records keeping.”

He ended his remarks by blessing all the participants saying “It is my prayer God that bless all kinds of work each of you is doing with acquired knowledge because if you do successful business and employ two or three people, it will reduce the unemployment rate in the country.”

“The project which was initiated in 2018, will end in June 2023 due to certain reasons”, he added.

He examined the performances of participants through oral questions to share what they have learnt for the past five days.

The Head of Education International Relations of the Migrant Labour General Workers’ Union International (MLGWUI) who is also coordinating and monitoring Returnees Business and Coaching Sessions, Comrade Justice Baako applauded the trainers - Messrs Kingsley Asiedu and Joseph Zotoo for their friendly approach and patience with participants at this time trainees during the five-day training workshop.

Madam Sarah Aba Quansah, Dubai Returnee shared her experienced labour migration story on day five of the training workshop.

All 20 trainees received a certificate of participation and support in returning to their homes.