Tema, 21 Nov 2025 – The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has welcomed the 2026 Budget, noting its strong emphasis on revitalising domestic production, improving the business environment, and positioning the private sector as a key engine of economic growth.
According to the Federation, the budget introduces a range of measures aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, enhancing industrial competitiveness, and stimulating investment in strategic value chains.
If effectively implemented, these reforms could strengthen economic resilience and expand opportunities for decent and sustainable employment across the country.
One of the most transformative interventions, the GFL said, is the newly launched National Integrated Oil Palm Development Policy (2026–2032) a policy it describes as Ghana’s most promising opportunity in decades to generate tens of thousands of jobs, particularly in rural communities.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s post-budget analysis programme with Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh, GFL Secretary-General Abraham Koomson praised government’s plans to expand plantations, strengthen out-grower schemes, and scale up downstream refining and packaging.
“Oil palm is labour-intensive at every stage—from farming and harvesting to transport, refining and packaging. If smallholder farmers are genuinely included and labour standards are upheld, this sector alone can transform livelihoods in the Volta, Eastern, Western and Ashanti regions,” he emphasised.
However, the Federation cautioned that the success of the programme depends heavily on resolving long-standing land tenure disputes involving stool and family lands.
These conflicts, Mr. Koomson noted, continue to deter serious investors and delay large-scale projects.
“Until government takes decisive action to address post-acquisition land conflicts, many of these ambitious projects will remain stalled,” he warned.
The GFL reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with government and industry to ensure that the oil palm policy delivers real benefits not just for investors, but for workers, smallholder farmers, and rural communities whose livelihoods depend on a fair and well-managed value chain.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭