The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has emphasized the need to strengthen labour institutions and intensify public education on workers’ rights to ensure dignity and fairness in the workplace.
She made the call during an official working visit to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, where she met with the Minister, Hon. Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, heads of agencies under the Ministry, and senior officials. The engagement focused on improving coordination, enhancing service delivery, and advancing the agenda of decent work nationwide.
Addressing participants, the Vice President stressed the importance of closing institutional gaps and building stronger collaboration among the Ministry and its allied agencies. She noted that effective coordination and shared purpose are essential to achieving national development goals. According to her, strengthening relationships within the sector would help ensure that all stakeholders work collectively for the benefit of the country.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the central role labour institutions play in protecting the rights, dignity, and welfare of workers. She observed that the work of the Ministry directly affects how workers are treated, valued, and supported across various sectors of the economy, adding that such responsibilities are critical to improving the overall quality of life of Ghanaians.
She further described the relationship between the Minister and the agencies under the Ministry as a partnership built on mutual responsibility. Each institution, she noted, has a role to play in achieving shared outcomes that benefit workers and the nation as a whole.
On labour rights protection, the Vice President condemned all forms of abuse and exploitation, particularly against vulnerable workers who often lack representation or bargaining power. She called for stronger enforcement of labour laws and intensified public education to ensure that workers, including those in domestic and informal settings, are aware of their rights and protected from unfair treatment.
The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hon. Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, described the Vice President’s visit as timely and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting decent work. He outlined key challenges facing the sector, including budgetary limitations and the need for legislative reforms to strengthen labour administration.
He also spoke about the Ghana Labour Market Information System, explaining that once fully operational, it would help address youth unemployment by linking job seekers with employers. The system, he said, would allow individuals to submit their skills and qualifications while enabling employers to advertise available vacancies.
The Minister further briefed the Vice President on ongoing initiatives aimed at improving compliance with labour laws, strengthening institutional capacity, and advancing decent work in line with the government’s broader development agenda.
