Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo has called on African leaders to rethink the continent’s approach to work and labour transformation by prioritising human dignity, fairness, and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development.
Speaking at the HR Focus Africa Conference and Awards 2025 in Accra on Saturday, Dr Pelpuo said the future of work “will not be determined solely by machines or markets, but by our ability to align human potential with evolving economic realities.”
He described Africa’s youthful population as both a “gift and a responsibility,” cautioning that neglecting it could deepen inequality and fuel social instability.
“If harnessed well, our youthful population will transform Africa into a powerhouse of productivity and innovation. But if neglected, it will deepen inequality and social instability,” he said.
The Minister called on human resource professionals and industry leaders to act as “stewards of potential,” championing ethical leadership, digital transformation, and inclusive workplaces.
Citing management expert Peter Drucker, Dr Pelpuo noted that “the greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence itself, but to act with yesterday’s logic.” He added, “Innovation without impact is an illusion. The success of our strategies must be measured not by the sophistication of our ideas but by their power to transform lives. Let us design the disruption and choose inclusion, innovation, and impact as the drivers of Africa’s emerging future.”
Dr Pelpuo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for decent work, fair wages, and digital empowerment. He highlighted ongoing collaborations with the private sector to expand digital skills training, enterprise development, and youth entrepreneurship across Ghana.
The conference, themed “Equity, Innovation & Impact: Reimagining Work and Talent in Africa’s Emerging Future,” brought together leaders from across the continent to explore how technology, policy, and human development can reshape Africa’s workforce.
Among the notable attendees were Chloe Smith, President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (UK); Dr Ellen Hagan, Group CEO of L’AINE HR; and James Laar, Managing Director of L’AINE HR.
The event also featured the launch of the Ghana Living Wage Report 2025 and concluded with the HR Focus Africa Awards, celebrating excellence in human resource practice across the continent.
MTN Ghana was inducted into the Hall of Fame III as the Overall Best Organisation in HR Practice, while Newmont received the award for Overall Best Organisation in HR Practice. William Easmon of Absa Bank Ghana was named HR Practitioner of the Year, and Beryl Agyekum Ayaaba of EchoHouse Ghana was honoured as HR-Oriented CEO of the Year. Ecobank Ghana was recognised as HR Team of the Year.
Dr Pelpuo commended the organisers for convening a diverse group of professionals to shape Africa’s workforce agenda, noting that such platforms were essential for “building a future of work that is fair, inclusive, and transformative.”
