The International Labour Organisation (ILO), in partnership with Ghana’s key economic stakeholders, has spotlighted the urgent need for a shift in Ghana’s economic model—highlighting that while the extractive industry is booming, its benefits are not filtering into wider national growth and employment.
At a Tripartite Roundtable Discussion held in Accra, stakeholders from organised labour, industry, employers, and government ministries examined the findings of the Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) National Productivity Statistics Report. The event was hosted under the ILO’s Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work (PE4DW) initiative, supported by the Swiss and Norwegian governments.
Panelists unanimously agreed that Ghana’s economic transformation is progressing too slowly. They pointed to the underperformance of key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing—sectors considered critical for job creation and sustainable growth.
ILO Employment Specialist Mr Luca Fedi explained that although the extractive sector is thriving, it remains isolated from the rest of the economy. “Its successes aren’t generating linkages that drive broader transformation,” he warned, adding that structural reforms are needed to boost the productivity of agriculture and manufacturing, which currently employ many but contribute little to growth.
David Marcos, PE4DW Project Manager, noted that while the programme began amid Ghana’s economic crisis, it continues to push for reforms that not only improve productivity but also ensure decent working conditions. He stressed that fair access to global markets is inseparable from decent work standards.
One recurring concern was the widening gap between job creation and earnings. Participants called for urgent adjustments to Ghana’s minimum wage and better sharing of productivity gains to improve workers’ livelihoods.
Other major issues raised included the need for road infrastructure to support agricultural logistics, and a broader consensus on achieving and defining macroeconomic stability.
Key voices at the roundtable included Kingsley Laar of the Ghana Employers’ Association, Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo of the TUC, Nana Poquah A. A. Adiamah of the Ghana Apparel Manufacturers Association, George Amoah of the Ministry of Trade, and Theodore Mawuli Amezah from the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment.
The discussion underscored the importance of coordinated policymaking, data-driven strategies, and sustained dialogue in addressing Ghana’s productivity and employment challenges.
