ACCRA — If you have skills in construction, building maintenance or cleaning and facilities work, a job in Dubai may soon be within reach, with your flight, visa and medical costs paid. But before you hand money to anyone promising you one of these jobs, read this.

The government has signed an agreement with a company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to recruit up to 5,000 Ghanaians for work in Dubai. The first group will be 500 workers, with the rest to follow in stages.

Here is what the deal means, who is likely to qualify, what is still unknown, and how to protect yourself from the fake recruiters who often appear whenever overseas jobs make the news.

The deal in brief

  • Who signed: Ghana's Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, and Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C., a Dubai-based company represented by its Managing Director, Junhong Deng
  • What it is: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), announced on October 13, 2026
  • How many jobs: Up to 5,000, starting with 500
  • Where: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Which sectors: Construction, building maintenance and facilities management

Who is likely to qualify?

The jobs fall into three areas, so applicants with practical, hands-on skills are likely to be the main focus. Based on the sectors named, that could include masons, carpenters, tilers, painters, plumbers, electricians, steel benders, maintenance technicians, cleaners and facility attendants.

The government has said it will arrange trade testing and skills certification, so you will probably need to prove your skills in a practical test, not just show a certificate. If you already hold a trade certificate, such as from a technical institute or the national trade testing system, keep it ready.

The exact requirements, including age limits, education levels and experience, have not been published yet.

What the company will pay for

This is one of the most important parts of the deal for job seekers. According to the agreement, the company will cover:

The company is also expected to be responsible for workers' wages and accommodation in Dubai.

What this means for you: if a person or agency asks you to pay for your visa, work permit, medical test or flight to get one of these jobs, treat it as a serious warning sign.

What the government will do

The Labour Ministry says it will:

  1. coordinate recruitment in Ghana
  2. check that the job offers and employment contracts are genuine
  3. organise trade testing and skills certification
  4. run pre-departure training on UAE labour laws, workplace safety and workers' rights

The agreement also provides for safety training, a worker welfare officer and a complaints system to protect workers from exploitation and unfair recruitment. The government says the deal is meant to support safe, transparent and orderly labour migration, and to help workers bring new skills home when they return.

What we don't know yet

As of October 14, the government has not announced:

  • when or where applications will open
  • the official application channel
  • salaries and contract lengths
  • the exact eligibility requirements

GhanaNews24.com will update this story as soon as these details are confirmed.

How to spot a fake recruiter

Big overseas job announcements often attract fraudsters within days. Watch out for these warning signs:

  • They ask for money upfront for a visa, work permit, medical test, flight or "processing". Under this deal, the company is meant to cover those costs.
  • They say applications are already open before any official announcement from the Labour Ministry.
  • They contact you only by WhatsApp or social media, with no office address and no official letter.
  • They promise a guaranteed job without any skills test or interview.
  • They rush you with lines like "only a few slots left, pay today".
  • They ask to keep your passport or original certificates.
  • The salary sounds too good to be true for the type of work.

What to do now

  1. Don't pay anyone who claims to be recruiting for the Dubai jobs.
  2. Follow only official channels. Watch for announcements from the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment and trusted news outlets.
  3. Check any agency. Ask whether a recruitment agency is licensed by Ghana's Labour Department before dealing with it.
  4. Get your papers ready. Make sure your Ghana Card and passport are valid, and gather any trade certificates, references or proof of work experience.
  5. Sharpen your skills. Applicants are expected to take a practical trade test, so it pays to be ready.
  6. Report suspected scams to the Ghana Police Service.

The bigger picture

For many young Ghanaians, a legal and properly protected job abroad is far better than risky routes through unlicensed agents. If the government delivers on its promises to verify contracts, train workers before they leave and give them a place to complain, this deal could become a model for future overseas job schemes.

The real test will come when the first 500 workers are recruited and deployed.

GhanaNews24.com will publish the official application details as soon as they are released. Follow us on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel so you don't miss the update.