Accra: Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, has affirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing labour and multi-factor productivity through strategic policy implementation. He emphasized the critical role of productivity in economic success, noting its impact on growth, job creation, and living standards.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Pelpuo articulated these points at the 12th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU-Ghana) in Accra. The event, centered on the theme ‘Enhancing Productivity at the Workplace: The Role of Social Partners,’ highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts among workers, employers, and the government to foster an environment conducive to innovation and efficiency.
Dr Pelpuo remarked on the timeliness of the theme, as the nation aims to establish a sustainable economy. Referencing the 2024 National Report on Productivity, Employment and Growth by the Ghana Statistical Service, he noted that Ghana has experienced moderate labour productivity growth since 1991, surpassing the average for lower-middle-income countries, yet still lagging behind upper-middle-income economies. He observed that productivity improvements, particularly between 2010 and 2016 during the onset of oil extraction, have not yielded sustained multi-factor productivity or structural transformation, with gains primarily in the mining sector.
The Minister identified informality, unemployment, and underemployment as persistent challenges in the Ghanaian labour market. He advocated for enhanced collaboration among social partners to tackle issues related to technological change, climate change, and economic uncertainty within the labour sector. He stressed that such cooperation could lead to a more resilient and sustainable economy, benefiting all Ghanaians.
Dr Pelpuo praised ICU-Ghana for its steadfast commitment to advancing workers’ welfare and its significant role in national development. He highlighted the importance of fair wages and benefits as motivators for employee engagement, alongside the necessity for investment in training and development to boost performance, morale, and work-life balance.
He urged stakeholders to engage in social dialogue, emphasizing open communication, mutual respect, and trust as means to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s workforce and drive productivity, innovation, and growth.