Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has observed that many nations worldwide leverage robust productivity institutions to steer economic policy and foster growth.
He noted that such bodies are essential for providing the precise data and strategic direction required to propel national development.
These remarks were made as the Government progresses with plans to transform the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) into a modernised National Productivity Authority, Ghana (NPAG).
According to the Government, this transition is designed to bolster the nation’s economic competitiveness while embedding evidence-based decision-making into the heart of policy.
The proposed reform intends to repeal Legislative Instrument 1077 of 1976, replacing it with a contemporary legal framework that aligns with international best practices. Once established, the new Authority will concentrate on productivity measurement, rigorous research, and national benchmarking to underpin strategic economic planning.
Dr Pelpuo emphasised that the persistent lack of credible productivity data continues to hinder wage negotiations and national economic forecasting, frequently leading to friction between the Government and organised labour.
Regarding this challenge, he noted: “What we often see is labour demanding increases while government insists there are no resources. The problem is the absence of credible productivity data to guide these decisions.”
Under this revitalised framework, the National Productivity Authority will be mandated to develop productivity indicators at the enterprise, sectoral, and national levels.
Additionally, it will regulate and certify productivity and management consultants while providing essential advisory services to both the public and private sectors.
Professor Elijah Yendaw, the Director-General of the MDPI, characterised the reform as a pivotal shift in Ghana’s developmental trajectory.
He explained that the initiative represents a move from mere productivity promotion to a system of rigorous measurement and benchmarking, ultimately positioning Ghana to enhance its competitiveness, attract foreign investment, and expand its influence in regional productivity services.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
