Labour Minister Rashid Pelpuo has credited Ghana’s calm industrial atmosphere and improving economic outlook to effective conflict management, a committed workforce and sustained investment in skills development, especially in emerging green jobs.
In an exclusive interview on JoyNews’ AM Show, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment said the absence of major labour unrest over the past year was one of the clearest signs that things were working.
“One of the ways you measure success is when you don’t see extreme labour agitations or conflicts that bring work to a halt. People are going to work,” he said.
Mr Pelpuo admitted that workers may still have concerns about conditions and welfare, but stressed that his ministry’s job is to manage those pressures before they spiral into widespread disruption.
“The purpose of my office and my ministry is to identify the tensions that arise and work to calm them down,” he explained.
He described the current labour environment as “relatively quiet”, adding that workers across key sectors such as mining and industry remain focused on productivity.
“People are committed to work. They’re putting in the energy, pushing Ghana to the next level, and you can see the results in what is being done,” he said.
According to the minister, this labour stability has been crucial in sustaining economic confidence and keeping activities running smoothly.
“When everything is going on well and the economy remains stable, it is because of the labour force and the effort they are putting into their work,” he noted.
Beyond industrial peace, Mr Pelpuo pointed to ongoing training and skills development as another major achievement. He said the government was deliberately preparing young Ghanaians for new opportunities in the green and digital economies.
“You can also measure our success by the training programmes aimed at upskilling workers for the new green jobs,” he said.
He revealed that a number of young people have already completed specialised training, equipping them with skills for sectors that were either underdeveloped or did not previously exist.
“There have been training programmes and graduations in specific areas where young people can now move straight into jobs,” he explained.
The minister added that his ministry, working closely with youth-focused agencies, has rolled out several empowerment initiatives designed to reduce unemployment and prepare Ghana’s workforce for the demands of the future.