President John Dramani Mahama has called for a shift in Ghana’s labour governance approach, urging the National Labour Commission (NLC) to focus on preventing workplace disputes before they escalate into strikes and industrial unrest.
The President said the Commission should develop early warning systems and strengthen continuous engagement with employers, organised labour and sector regulators to identify workplace tensions at an early stage.
He made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf at a stakeholders’ symposium organised to mark the 20th anniversary of the National Labour Commission.
According to President Mahama, the Commission must evolve beyond its traditional role of resolving disputes after they occur and become a proactive institution that prevents conflicts through sustained dialogue and mediation.
“The Commission must increasingly evolve from an institution of dispute settlement to one of dispute prevention. This distinction represents an entirely different philosophy of labour governance,” he said.
He pointed to international examples, including Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, where labour-management relations are supported by structured dialogue, workplace mediation and legal obligations that encourage employers and workers to resolve disagreements before they lead to industrial action.
The President said Ghana could strengthen industrial harmony by investing more in preventive mechanisms rather than relying primarily on conflict management.
He acknowledged the NLC’s contribution to maintaining industrial peace over the past two decades through mediation, negotiation, arbitration and conciliation, noting that many disputes had been resolved amicably without causing major disruptions to the economy.
“Many conflicts that would have paralysed sectors of our economy were settled amicably around conference tables rather than across picket lines,” he said.
President Mahama also highlighted the role of the National Tripartite Committee, saying the institutionalisation of the National Labour Conference as an annual platform for dialogue would help build consensus on key labour and economic issues.
He said the government would continue using the conference to address challenges in the world of work while promoting cooperation between labour, employers and the state.
The President commended the Commission’s leadership, staff and stakeholders for their contribution to its development and urged them to continue strengthening institutions that promote industrial peace, productivity and economic stability.
