"Gov't is committed to protecting pension funds, implementing labour bill 2026" – Vice President

Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed government's commitment to protecting pension funds and implementing the proposed Labour Bill 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen workers' welfare and deepen industrial harmony.

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the opening of the 2026 National Labour Conference in Ho, the Vice President said government remains focused on safeguarding the retirement savings of Ghanaian workers while fast-tracking reforms to modernise the country's labour laws.

She said the proposed Labour Bill 2026, together with broader labour sector reforms, will promote fairness, strengthen workers' rights and enhance industrial relations to support national development.

She also reaffirmed government's commitment to advancing the 24-hour economy policy to create more employment opportunities, while urging organised labour, employers and government to continue working together to sustain industrial peace.

The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment,HDr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, described the conference as a strategic platform to deepen social dialogue, promote industrial peace and build consensus on critical labour and economic issues.

He noted that Ghana's labour front has remained relatively peaceful over the past one and a half years due to sustained engagement among government, employers and organised labour.

Dr. Pelpuo further highlighted the recently launched Ghana Decent Work Country Programme (2026–2030), developed with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), and disclosed that stakeholders would soon reconvene to finalise the review of the Labour Bill 2026 before it is submitted to Parliament.

The conference, held under the theme, "Strengthening Industrial Harmony as a Catalyst for Accelerated Economic Growth and National Development," brought together government officials, employers, organised labour, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on policies aimed at improving labour relations and promoting inclusive economic growth.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith