The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hon. Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (MP), together with the agencies under the ministry joined members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions at a two-day stakeholder engagement retreat in Accra.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Pelpuo expressed appreciation to the Committee for the opportunity to engage and emphasized the importance of the retreat in strengthening collaboration between the Ministry and Parliament.
“This engagement provides a vital platform to deepen our shared understanding of the Ministry’s priorities, operations, and challenges. The outcome will directly inform policy decisions and improve the lives of workers and job seekers nationwide,” the Minister stated.
He noted that the review of the Mid-Year Budget Performance would serve as a springboard for making informed decisions to enhance efficiency and impact. Dr. Pelpuo also used the occasion to request the Committee’s support for a supplementary budget allocation to boost the Ministry’s capital expenditure, particularly in infrastructure development, digital systems, and capacity building.
Highlighting the value of collaboration, he welcomed the diverse expertise of stakeholders and expressed optimism about the deliberations ahead.
“As we engage over the next two days, I am confident we will arrive at actionable insights that will shape meaningful labor policies and legislative outcomes for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” he concluded.
The retreat is expected to foster stronger alignment between the Ministry’s strategic direction and the Committee’s legislative oversight.
On his part the chairman of the Select Committee Hon. Joseph Appiah Boateng said the retreat has been convened in accordance with Order 246(2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which mandates the Committee to examine the policies, programmes, and operations of the Ministry, Departments, and Agencies within its oversight jurisdiction.
He assured the Ministry of their commitment to work closely with it and its agencies to gain a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of their respective mandates, institutional frameworks, and ongoing initiatives. “We trust that these interactions will enable the Committee to identify key challenges, appreciate emerging opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to the development of sound policy guidance and appropriate legislative interventions in the employment and labour sector” he stressed.
He further stated that the retreat will also provide an important platform to review the Ministry’s Budget Performance Report for the 2024 financial year, and consider the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Performance of the Ministry and its agencies.
