The Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has urged workers and stakeholders on the labour front to adopt positive work attitudes to boost productivity and accelerate national development.
She cautioned against negative practices such as lateness and absenteeism, describing them as detrimental to productivity and a drag on economic growth.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang made the call at the opening of a three-day Annual National Labour Conference in Ho on Saturday, where she emphasised the need for transparency and innovation among workers to promote industrial harmony and growth.
She indicated that the government was expanding access to energy and maximising the use of national resources, adding that it remained committed to its flagship 24-hour economy programme aimed at transforming Ghana into an export-driven economy.
The Vice President also advocated a review of the country’s labour laws to include the informal sector, noting that attention had largely been focused on the formal sector, leaving informal workers marginalised.
She explained that workers in the informal sector were often unable to demand better conditions of service or embark on industrial action unlike their counterparts in the formal sector, and stressed the need for inclusive labour policies.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further stated that despite global geopolitical challenges, the government had made significant efforts to stabilise the economy.
She added that plans to establish an independent emoluments commission would help address salary disparities and promote a more peaceful working environment.
She also gave an assurance of the government’s commitment to providing a decent pension scheme, stressing that measures would be put in place to safeguard pensions and improve the living conditions of workers after retirement.
The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Pelpuo, called for stronger collaboration between labour organisations and the government to maintain industrial peace.
He said the conference would serve as a platform to build consensus and promote industrial harmony for national development.
Dr Pelpuo stressed that the government could not achieve development on its own, and that effective collaboration with labour organisations was essential to enhance productivity and stability in the workplace.
He added that the government was committed to promoting social dialogue and ensuring that the legitimate concerns of workers were addressed through lawful means and mutual respect, to minimise industrial actions.
The Paramount Chief of the Asogli Traditional Area, Togbe Afede XIV, who chaired the event, also underscored the need for workers to demonstrate greater commitment to their duties.
He noted that while workers often demanded improved conditions of service, it was equally important for them to meet expectations and avoid practices that could undermine productivity.
FROM SAMUEL AGBEWODE, HO
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