The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has officially opened its 2026 Annual National Labour Conference in Ho, the Volta Regional capital.
The three-day conference is under the theme “Strengthening Industrial Harmony as a Catalyst for Accelerated Economic Growth and National Development”.
It has brought together government officials, employers, organised labour, industry leaders, and labour experts to discuss ways of fostering peaceful workplace relations and driving national development.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hon. Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, emphasised the importance of unity among all stakeholders.
“As Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, and Chairman of the National Tripartite Committee, I’m particularly happy to interact with many constituents directly on the theme ‘Strengthening Industrial Harmony as Catalyst for Accelerated Economic Growth and National Development,” he said.
Dr. Pelpuo noted that economic transformation cannot be achieved by any single group acting alone.
“Economic transformation cannot be delivered by the government alone, nor by employers or organised labour acting separately. It requires a strong partnership among all tripartite partners, anchored in mutual respect, shared responsibility, and common national purpose,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to social dialogue and peaceful resolution of labour issues, adding that the administration is working hard to make strikes a thing of the past.
“It is the reason why His Excellency, along with the government, are committed to ensuring that strikes become a thing of the past, because we will open up for discussion, we will create a condition for meetings and organised programmes like this,” the Minister said.
Dr. Pelpuo described industrial harmony as a strategic national interest rather than a peripheral matter.
“It is important we recognize that industrial harmony is not a peripheral issue but a strategic national interest,” he added.
The conference provides a key platform for tripartite partners to assess the current state of labour relations, review existing policies, and propose practical solutions to challenges in the world of work.
Discussions are expected to centre on collective bargaining, dispute resolution, occupational safety and health, workers’ rights, employment generation, skills development, and the future of work in a changing economy.
Participants at the opening expressed optimism that the outcomes of the conference will help shape better labour policies and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
