JobAgri workshop pushes for stronger agri-employment policies in Ghana

ACCRA, Ghana (ILO News) - The JobAgri Ghana project brought together 21 key stakeholders to review findings from a national policy mapping exercise. Participants are all members of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF). They include the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Ghana Employers Association (GEA), Farmers Organisation Network Ghana (FONG) and National Youth Authority (NYA).

Led by the ILO, FAO, and CIRAD, the project helps align agriculture and employment policies to improve job quality and productivity in Ghana’s agri-food sector.

© ILO

© ILO

John Adraki, National Project Coordinator of JobAgri Ghana, emphasised the importance of the policy mapping exercise in identifying gaps and overlaps in existing agricultural and employment policies. The review analysed laws, schemes, and policy documents, while also gathering insights from implementers. Its goal is to produce evidence-based recommendations for more coherent and inclusive policymaking. Mr. Adraki stressed that collaboration must continue to fully achieve the project’s objectives.

Stakeholders reviewed the policy mapping report, which identified both opportunities and gaps in existing frameworks. Key issues included weak labour dimensions, limited stakeholder participation, weak monitoring systems, and persistent gender inequalities.

To address these, the report recommended setting clear job creation targets, formalizing private sector and youth involvement, strengthening agricultural education, and embedding strategies to empower rural women.

© ILO

© ILO

The ILO emphasized that aligning agricultural and employment policies is key to creating decent, productive jobs and improving sector performance. Grace Gondwe, Technical officer noted that the JobAgri methodology effectively supports this alignment.

The project’s Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) plays a vital role by bringing together key actors to coordinate policy efforts. During the workshop, MSF members stressed the need for stronger policy coherence and inclusive consultations to ensure effective implementation and meaningful stakeholder involvement.

JobAgri Ghana strengthens data-driven decision-making by working with national institutions to analyze labour dynamics in farming systems. It also promotes inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue to better align employment and agricultural policies. By breaking down policy silos and encouraging collaboration, the project plays a key role in boosting decent work opportunities and driving sustainable growth in the agri-food sector.