ILO to validate Ghana’s National Employment Policy

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has presented the final National Employment Policy (NEP) and Implementation Plan at the National Tripartite Validation workshop to mobilise support to help achieve productive employment for all Ghanaians.

The validation of the draft NEP and implementation would provide a framework and content to achieve goals set by the government and social partners towards the ratification of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No.122).

Mrs Sina Chuma-Mkandawire, Director ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Gambia stated that Ghana NEP and Implementation Plan had been planned last year to culminate an actual product that the country had strived to achieve over the years.

She said Ghana deposited the instruments of ratification for three important conventions related to the achievement of decent work through social dialogue and these include the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No.144) and the Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184).

Mrs Chuma-Mkandawire said ILO included Ghana in its pilot programme for strengthening the implementation of International Labour standards which would be implemented during 2012-2013.

She said ILO undertook a technical mission to Ghana in October 2011 during which extensive discussions were held and a national tripartite workshop held accordingly on reporting and submission of obligations of ILO Member States.

Mrs Chuma-Mkandawire noted that the workshop supported the development of a new national employment policy, prepared a national Occupational Safety and Health Profile for the country.

The drafting of relevant legislation for the implementation of the Radiation Protection Convention, 1990 (No.115), and the Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No.119) were aimed at supporting better application of the conventions.

Mr Antwi Boasiako Sekyere, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, said the draft NEP validation had undergone several conception periods since 2006 and was long overdue for the country to boast of a NEP and not a draft.

Source: GNA