Parliament on Thursday recorded two major milestones after approving the 2026 Budget Estimates for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and ratifying a groundbreaking Labour Mobility Agreement with the State of Qatar.

The approved budget is expected to drive a series of reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s diplomatic presence and improving the conditions of service for foreign service officers.

Key initiatives include a shift from expensive rental arrangements toward acquiring Ghana-owned diplomatic properties abroad, sustained modernisation of the Ministry’s operations, and enhanced efficiency in passport administration.

The reforms, according to the sector Minister Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, are also geared toward advancing a comprehensive strategy to project Ghana’s international image with greater integrity and effectiveness.

In a related development, Parliament unanimously ratified a far-reaching Labour Mobility Agreement with Qatar, a move expected to significantly improve employment opportunities and protection for Ghanaians working in the Gulf state.

Ratified under Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution, the agreement guarantees stronger worker protections and improved conditions of service for Ghanaian professionals and labourers recruited to Qatar.

Under the agreement, Ghanaian workers will now be assured of competitive salaries, accommodation, medical benefits, insurance, and legally binding employment contracts, eliminating the vulnerabilities previously faced by many migrant workers.

The ratification marks a major diplomatic and economic breakthrough, with Parliament noting that the agreement will open new job opportunities while safeguarding the rights and dignity of Ghanaian workers abroad.