The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has urged Ghanaian businesses to embrace technology as the foundation for economic transformation.
Speaking at the 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA) in Accra, he said government remained committed to creating a business-friendly environment by streamlining regulations, improving tax administration and investing in digital infrastructure.
He noted that technology was no longer a luxury but the blueprint for productivity, competitiveness and sustainable growth.
He stated that the government was prioritizing skills development and vocational training to prepare Ghana’s youth for the jobs of the future.
He explained that reforms in education were designed to equip students with both technological and entrepreneurial skills, stressing that the private sector had a vital role to play by opening doors for internships and on-the-job training.
“The true measure of our success is not GDP figures but in the number of dignified jobs we create,” he said.
He assured that government was actively promoting Ghana as an attractive investment destination by expanding broadband, strengthening data systems and targeting key sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing and financial technology.
He emphasized that a strong partnership between government and the private sector would be crucial to leveraging technology to create jobs and fuel sustained growth, adding that“Ghana is open for business.”
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr Stephen Blewett,Nana Kofi Asare described technology as the lifeline of modern business.
He said recent GSMA research showed that digital reforms could add $3.4 billion to Ghana’s economy by 2030, with enormous potential in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and public services. He outlined MTN’s enterprise solutions, including MoMo for Business, cloud platforms, IoT, cybersecurity, and digital hubs to support SMEs – the backbone of Ghana’s economy.
He also identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a game-changer for businesses, with applications in agriculture, finance, retail and human resources. He revealed that MTN was embedding AI in its operations while investing in ICT hubs, coding programmes and digital skills development to prepare Ghana’s workforce for the future. “Those who embrace AI early will gain a decisive advantage,” he said, urging enterprises to act boldly.
The GEA President, Nana Dr. Emmanuel Adu-Sarkodee Afriyie, in his remarks, called on employers to integrate emerging technologies into their operations to enhance competitiveness.
He disclosed that the Association had engaged President John Dramani Mahama with proposals including a Job Creation Tax Credit and a National Employment Summit to expand opportunities for the millions of young Ghanaians entering the workforce by 2040.
He stated the importance of industrial peace, urging social partners to prioritize dialogue in building a stable business climate.
Grace Acheampong,ISD
