Norway Backs Ghana’s ‘Decent Work’ Agenda At National Labour Conference
Norway has re-echoed its commitment to supporting productive, resilient, and inclusive economic growth in Ghana, noting that sustainable development can only be realised when productivity gains directly improve worker livelihoods and advance social cohesion.
Speaking at the ongoing 2026 National Labour Conference at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, Ms Silje S. Vevatne, Counsellor of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ghana, commended the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment alongside its social partners for establishing an essential platform for national dialogue.
According to Ms Vevatne, the conference arrives at a pivotal moment as global labour markets experience unprecedented transformations.
“This conference comes at a critical time when countries around the world are navigating profound changes in the world of work driven by technological transformation, demographic shifts, climate change, and evolving labour market dynamics,” Ms Vevatne stated.
“In this context, effective social dialogue and strong labour market institutions are more important than ever.”
She highlighted that Norway’s development arm, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), actively backs the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work initiative. This framework operates on the foundational principle that boosting productivity and ensuring decent work are not mutually exclusive, but rather mutually reinforcing components of a stable economy.
The Embassy expressed strong optimism regarding the conference’s diverse agenda, which features intense discourse on sustainable pension systems, labour administration, social stability, and inclusive economic policies.
A key highlight for the Norwegian delegation was the review of the newly tabled Productivity, Employment and Growth Report.
Ms Vevatne emphasised that reinforcing an evidence-based approach to data collection is absolutely essential for shaping policies that successfully translate macroeconomic growth into quality, tangible jobs across all segments of Ghanaian society.
In closing, the Embassy praised the collaborative spirit demonstrated in Ho, noting that the combination of government, workers’ unions, employers, and development partners reflects the core essence of a healthy productivity ecosystem.
Reaffirming Norway’s long-term partnership with Ghana, Ms Vevatne pledged NORAD’s ongoing support to help strengthen local institutions, deepen institutional dialogue, and advance decent work outcomes.
“We believe that the discussions and recommendations emerging from this conference will contribute significantly to building a more productive, inclusive, and sustainable future of work,” she concluded.
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