The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for strengthened labour institutions and intensified public awareness on labour rights during an official working visit to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment on Thursday in Accra.
Noting the need to bridge institutional gaps and foster unity of purpose across agencies under the Ministry. She stated, “We are interested in closing gaps. We are interested in moving closer to each other, putting faces to names, and ensuring that we are all in this together to succeed for our country.”
She emphasised that strong labour institutions are critical to safeguarding the dignity, rights and welfare of Ghanaian workers. According to her, the Ministry and its agencies play a pivotal role in shaping how workers are treated, recognised, and supported across all sectors of the economy.
“You are working to raise the quality of our people – how they are treated, how they are recognised, and how they derive satisfaction from their labour. Your work is very important,” she noted.
The Vice President also further emphasised the significance of cooperation between the Ministry and its agencies, saying, “You are working with the Minister, but the Minister is also working with you. Everybody plays their role, and the results will be something we can all share.”
She strongly condemned all forms of abuse and exploitation, particularly against vulnerable workers who may lack representation or bargaining power and called for intensified public education on labour laws and rights, as well as strengthened enforcement mechanisms to ensure fairness and dignity in the workplace, including within domestic and informal employment spaces.
The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, welcomed the Vice President and described the visit as timely and motivating for the Ministry and its agencies and outlined some challenges confronting the sector, such as the need for increased budgetary allocation and some legislative reviews.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights, improving conditions of work, and ensuring equitable treatment for all categories of workers, particularly those in the informal economy and domestic work.
According to the Minister, the Ghana Labour Market Information System, when it becomes fully operational, will solve many unemployment issues among the Youth in the country. Adding that the rationale behind the project was to enable job seekers to put out their information and employers to also provide a list of vacancies to absorb such individuals with the required expertise.
The Minister also briefed the Vice President on ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening labour administration, enhancing compliance with labour laws, and promoting decent work in line with the government’s broader development agenda.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
