The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, says Ghana’s labour sector has remained largely stable over the past year, attributing the calm industrial environment to sustained engagement with workers and a renewed focus on skills development and job access under the John Dramani Mahama administration.
Speaking in an exclusive interview marking one year of his tenure, Dr. Pelpuo described the period as one of “quiet progress,” emphasizing cooperation between government and organised labour as a key driver of productivity and economic stability.
According to him, the absence of major labour unrest over the past year is a clear indicator of the Ministry’s performance, noting that while worker concerns persist, government has prioritized dialogue and mediation to prevent disruptions.
“The labour front has been relatively calm. People are working, productivity has increased, and the economy is responding positively. Our role is to manage tensions, not to allow them to escalate,” he said.
Beyond industrial harmony, the Minister highlighted skills development as a major focus of the Ministry, particularly in emerging sectors such as green jobs. He disclosed that several young people have undergone specialized training to prepare them for new employment opportunities in areas that previously did not exist within the labour market.
Dr. Pelpuo also pointed to expanded youth employment initiatives, including collaboration with the Youth Employment Authority to connect young Ghanaians to both local and international job opportunities.
He revealed that the government’s Work Abroad Programme has gained significant traction, with increasing numbers of young people expressing interest in overseas employment through bilateral labour agreements.
“Many countries are engaging Ghana to access our labour force, and we are signing agreements to ensure our young people can work abroad legally and safely,” he noted.
The Minister further explained that job creation under his watch has adopted a multi-sectoral approach, with opportunities emerging from infrastructure projects, including road construction, as well as collaborations with the Ministries of Finance, Roads and Highways, and Youth Development.
“Our responsibility is not to hand out jobs directly, but to guide people to where opportunities exist and ensure they have the skills to access them,” Dr. Pelpuo said.
He assured that the Ministry will continue to monitor labour market trends, expand access to employment information, and strengthen partnerships across government to ensure sustainable job creation for Ghanaian workers.
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