ILO collaborates with GIPC to promote fair labour practices in Ghana

Accra, Ghana: Ghana has once again taken another step in elevating the conversation on the ILO Multinational Enterprise (MNE) Declaration. On Monday, 30th September, the International Labour Organization, in collaboration with constituent partners, and GIPC organized a breakfast meeting for CEOs of key multinational Enterprises in Ghana. The meeting, organized under the auspices of ILO Trade for Decent Work Project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, aligns with efforts at promoting and enforcing fair labour practices in Ghana.

The event sought to raise awareness among Multinational Companies operating in Ghana about fair labour practices and their significance in the business environment. The meeting aimed at empowering workers to understand their rights and participate actively in promoting fair labor standards.

Ghana has demonstrated a strong commitment to promote the ILO MNE Declaration - the ILO instrument on responsible business conduct - by designating tripartite-appointed national focal points for the promotion of the MNE Declaration. The four national focal points represent the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ghana Investment Promotion Center, the Ghana Employers Association, and the Trades Unions Congress of Ghana. Ghana is one of the 12 ILO Member States that has designed national focal points.

A singular feature of this appointment was that the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre would work with the Ministry of Employment and labour Relations and the social partners to promote the MNE Declaration among foreign investors.

Speaking at the meeting, Vanassa Phala, the ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, congratulated Ghana for its leadership role in promoting “this important ILO instrument.” She commended the national focal points in Ghana for their commitment and dedication to promote responsible business conduct for the realization of decent work and inclusive growth in Ghana.

The Director of Investor Services Division at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Edward B Ashong told multinational companies, that, they could still make profit within the context of ethical business conduct. He emphasized the center’s commitment to ensuring that multinational companies working in Ghana adhere to the rules of the game.

The programme brought together beneficiaries of the Trade for Decent Work Project- the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Ghana Employers Association, Trades Union Congress, Ghana and Ghana Oil Palm Development Corporation.