Ghana Launches Labour Export Planning Committee to Boost Global Workforce Strategy
Ghana has inaugurated a National Planning Committee for the Ghana Labour Exchange Program (GLEP), marking a strategic push toward structured and ethical labour export. The initiative, led by the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, is part of the country’s broader aim to become a key player in the global workforce market. The launch event took place at the Presidential Annex and brought together stakeholders from various sectors including government ministries, foreign missions, labour agencies, and civil society.
The Committee has been charged with designing a comprehensive framework to guide the professional, safe, and mutually beneficial migration of Ghanaian labour to international destinations. This approach is intended to ensure that the process is not only economically advantageous but also protective of workers’ rights and dignity. It also reflects a growing trend among developing countries to formalize and manage labour mobility as a tool for economic development.
Dr. Pelpuo stressed the urgency and national importance of the Committee’s role. He highlighted how labour migration can stimulate job creation, provide critical skills training, and fuel long-term economic growth. He further emphasized the value of giving Ghana’s youth structured opportunities abroad, allowing them to contribute internationally while gaining experiences they can bring back to enrich the local economy.
The Ghana Labour Exchange Program is framed as a key aspect of labour diplomacy, aligning Ghana’s workforce with international market demands. It underscores the country’s commitment to fostering global partnerships that benefit both Ghanaian workers and host countries, while ensuring ethical recruitment and comprehensive support systems for those working abroad.
The Committee’s core responsibilities will include the development of bilateral labour agreements, systems for aligning skills training with global market needs, institutional mechanisms for deployment, and reintegration frameworks for returning workers. This multi-layered approach aims to build a robust, sustainable, and secure system that benefits workers, employers, and the national economy alike.
Source: Citi newsroom