Joshua Ansah
Organised Labour has mounted fresh pressure on the government to shift focus from macroeconomic gains to aggressive job creation and improved wages, warning that recent economic stability has failed to ease the burden on ordinary Ghanaians.
The call, led by Trades Union Congress (TUC), comes ahead of this year’s May Day celebrations in the Eastern Region, under the theme “Pivoting to Growth, Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods Beyond Macroeconomic Stability.”
The Secretary-General of the TUC, Joshua Ansah, who acknowledges improvements in macroeconomic indicators, has cautioned that the benefits have not translated into tangible relief for workers or meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.
“Millions of Ghanaians still struggle to make ends meet. The rising cost of living is taking a toll on our people. We need to create jobs and stop focusing only on statistics,” he said.
He stressed that low incomes remain a pressing issue, calling for a shift towards living wages that reflect current economic realities.
According to him, the government must prioritise strategic investments in critical sectors such as industry, agriculture, manufacturing and digital innovation to drive sustainable job creation.
“Incomes are a major concern. We need decent wages that match the cost of living. Growth must translate into jobs and livelihoods that people can depend on,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Prosper Tachie, called for stronger and more consistent engagement between labour unions and the government, noting that workers have historically been disadvantaged in negotiations over conditions of service.
“Workers must remain united to secure better outcomes. Without collective effort, progress in improving welfare will remain slow,” he said.
Adding an economic perspective, labour economist, Baah Boateng, underscored the need for targeted investments, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, to stimulate employment and long-term growth.
“We need investment in agriculture that will support manufacturing. That is how we create sustainable jobs,” he noted.
Organised Labour insists that without deliberate policies to expand productive sectors and improve incomes, Ghana risks deepening inequality despite macroeconomic stability.
By Ernest Kofi Adu