An economist and lecturer at Pentecost University, Dr. Alexander Amoh Baffour, has called for stronger trust, accountability, and productivity reforms within Ghana’s labour sector to improve national development and economic growth.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Friday, May 2, 2026, on Yepe Ahunu, a political talk show aired on Ahotor 92.3 FM and hosted by Nana Dogbe, Dr. Baffour stated that the growing tension on Ghana’s labour front is largely due to declining trust between workers and employers.
According to him, many workers feel inadequately compensated, while employers equally believe employees are not giving off their best performance.
“The whole brouhaha on the labour front is about trust. Workers appear to be pretending to work, while employers also seem to be pretending to pay,” he stated.
Dr. Baffour stressed the need for deliberate discussions and practical solutions to address the concerns affecting workers and employers across the country.
Touching on productivity in the public sector, the economist noted that output among Ghanaian workers, especially in some government institutions, remains low and continues to affect efficiency and national progress.
“Truthfully speaking, the productivity of Ghanaian workers is low. If you visit some government institutions, work is not moving at the pace it should,” he said.
He therefore advocated for the introduction of effective performance appraisal systems, measurable targets, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the public sector to ensure accountability and value for money.
“There should be a deliberate and conscious performance measurement system in every government sector to ensure that we get the best out of public service,” he added.
Dr. Baffour further emphasized that workers remain the backbone of Ghana’s economy and should be supported with policies that ensure economic stability and improved living conditions.
He explained that government’s responsibility is not only to create employment opportunities but also to maintain an economy where workers’ salaries remain valuable despite economic pressures.
“A stable economy should make life affordable for workers and create opportunities for wealth and job creation,” he noted.
Speaking on unemployment concerns raised by labour unions during the recent May Day celebrations, Dr. Baffour acknowledged that government has the desire to employ more Ghanaians but is constrained by limited financial resources.
“Government cannot give what it does not have. Resources are limited to some extent,” he explained.
He, however, commended the administration of John Dramani Mahama for what he described as prudent management of state resources and efforts to fight corruption.
According to him, the government is being intentional in ensuring that public funds are used responsibly to sustain economic stability.
Dr. Baffour warned that reckless employment without proper financial planning could negatively affect the country’s economic gains.
“If government is not careful and employs people without sustainable plans to pay them, the economic stability achieved could disappear, and that will not be good for the country,” he cautioned.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Baffour emphasized that although government has a strong desire to create employment opportunities for all Ghanaians, the responsibility cannot rest solely on the state.
According to him, the private sector must play a central role in job creation and national economic transformation.
“In conclusion, it is the interest of government to ensure that everybody gets employment, but government alone cannot do it. The private sector must also support,” he stated.
The economist explained that government has already taken several steps to create a more conducive business environment by working to reduce lending and interest rates to encourage business expansion and investment.
“Government is doing a lot for labour. It has created the enabling environment, so the private sector should take advantage of the opportunity to provide decent jobs for the people,” he added.
Dr. Baffour described the private sector as the true engine of economic growth and expressed optimism about the long-term vision of President Mahama’s administration.
He noted that the government is implementing strategic policies aimed at ensuring that more Ghanaians enjoy economic prosperity in the coming years.
“The President is looking into the future and making conscious efforts to ensure that a time will come when money will be in the pockets of every Ghanaian and jobs will be in abundance,” he said.
He further highlighted the proposed Volta Lake Blue Economy initiative under the government’s 24-hour economy policy as one of the major interventions expected to generate massive employment opportunities.
According to him, agricultural business opportunities along the Volta Lake corridor could significantly improve livelihoods and create sustainable jobs for thousands of Ghanaians.
“The Volta Lake blue economy and agribusiness initiatives will ensure that every Ghanaian gets a share of the opportunities. Government is planning long-term measures to create sustainable jobs for the people,” he concluded.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe/Ahotoronline.com