The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has called for deeper collaboration between workers, employers, and government to drive workplace productivity and strengthen Ghana’s economy.
Delivering the keynote address at the 12th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU-Ghana) on Thursday at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Dr. Pelpuo described productivity as the “backbone of any successful economy” and a key driver of job creation and improved living standards.
Speaking on the theme “Enhancing Productivity at the Workplace: The Role of Social Partners,” the Minister observed that while Ghana has made moderate gains in labour productivity since 1991—outperforming many lower-middle-income countries it still lags behind its upper-middle-income peers.
He noted that productivity growth has been more significant in the mining sector, while other industries with the potential to create decent jobs and drive innovation continue to lag.
“Ghana’s labour market continues to be dominated by informality, unemployment, and underemployment. This reality underscores the need for social partners to step up efforts in fostering innovation, creativity, and efficiency at the workplace,” Dr. Pelpuo stressed.
The Minister commended ICU-Ghana for its consistent advocacy in promoting workers’ welfare and shaping national labour policy. He praised the union’s decades-long legacy, describing it as vital to building “a fairer and more prosperous society.”
Dr. Pelpuo also highlighted the role of employers in sustaining productivity, urging them to provide fair wages, benefits, training opportunities, and a supportive workplace culture. He stressed that teamwork, work-life balance, and strong social dialogue were essential for building positive work environments.
“As we move forward, I urge all stakeholders to engage actively in social dialogue and collaboration. By prioritising open communication, mutual respect, and trust, we can unlock the full potential of our workforce and drive productivity, innovation, and growth,” he said.
He expressed optimism that with strengthened social partnerships, Ghana could create a thriving work environment conducive to employee well-being, creativity, and national development.
The ICU-Ghana conference brought together delegates, labour leaders, and stakeholders to deliberate on pressing workplace issues, marking another milestone in the union’s decades of service to the Ghanaian workforce.
