National Tripartite Committee Inaugurated

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday, 26 October 2007
The Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, Nana Akomea, has said that despite reports of good governance, economic growth has been painfully slow.

"We are painfully aware that we still have not reached growth levels that would bring the investments to provide employment for the people. This situation calls for urgent and pragmatic measures to meet the challenge of unemployment, especially among the youth."

Nana Akomea was speaking at the inauguration of the National Tripartite Committee in Accra on Wednesday.

The 15-member body, to be chaired by the sector Minister, includes representatives of the government, organised labour and the employers association.

The committee was established under the Labour Act 651 of 2003. Section 13 of the act spells out the tripartite committee’s composition and its functions which include determining the national minimum wage.

The committee also advises on employment and labour issues including labour laws, standards, industrial relations as well as consult with partners in the labour market on matters of social and economic importance to ensure industrial peace.

Mr Akomea said "we are providing for ourselves statutory national institutions to determine the all important minimum wage, maintain fair and equitable application of this wage through a unified pay structure, and head off or minimise labour disputes from becoming flash points or infernos".

He tasked the committee to promote employment issues and thoroughly discuss all aspects of policies that promote employment, adding "the Ministry will provide the necessary support for this committee to help solve the unemployment issue".

Ms Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, who is also an executive member of the Ghana Employers Association (GEA), said the committee will not only focus on minimum wage but also tackle issues that hinder economic well being of the people.

"We want to have a situation where people can be empowered to harness resources of this country for development and create wealth as well, she said."

She described the setting up of the committee as appropriate saying "we are actually realising the dream of many years. We need to work hard this time around."

Mr. Alex Bonney, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said "organised labour have been looking forward for this committee and we will offer our support for it to function appropriately and effectively."

A representative of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), which is supporting the programme, said DANIDA will continue to focus on issues related to industrial harmony and peace on the labour front.