Ghana’s Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has called on African governments, businesses, and HR leaders to reimagine the future of work through equity, innovation, and impact, placing human dignity and fairness at the centre of labour transformation across the continent.
Speaking as Guest of Honour at the HR Focus Africa Conference & Awards 2025, held at the Accra International Conference Centre, Dr Pelpuo underscored that “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 highlighted Africa’s youth demographic as both a gift and a responsibility, emphasising that empowering young people, women, and vulnerable groups is crucial for sustainable development. “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 cautioned.
The Minister urged HR professionals and industry leaders to become “stewards of potential”, inspiring new thinking around digital transformation, ethical leadership, and inclusive workplaces. Quoting management thinker Peter Drucker, he remarked that “the greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence itself, but to act with yesterday’s logic.”
“Innovation without impact is an illusion,” Dr Pelpuo declared. “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 let us choose inclusion, innovation, and impact as the drivers of Africa’s emerging future.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to create an enabling environment for decent work, fair wages, and digital empowerment, noting ongoing collaborations with the private sector and development partners to expand digital skills training, enterprise development, and youth entrepreneurship.
Mr Pelpuo also commended the organisers of the HR Focus Africa Conference for convening a diverse body of leaders to discuss the continent’s workforce evolution under the theme, “Equity, Innovation & Impact: Reimagining Work and Talent in Africa’s Emerging Future.”
Other distinguished guests at the event included Rt. Hon. Chloe Smith (President, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, UK), Dr Mrs. Ellen Hagan (Group CEO, L’AINE HR), and Mr James Laar (Managing Director, L’AINE HR), alongside hundreds of HR professionals and policymakers from across Africa.
The conference also featured the launch of the Ghana Living Wage Report 2025, Company exhibitions, and climaxed with the prestigious HR Focus Africa Awards, honouring organisations and professionals who demonstrated innovation and impact in HR practice across sectors.
MTN Ghana won Hall of Fame III (Overall Best Organisation in HR Practice), Overall Best Organisation in HR Practice went to Newmont, William Easmon of Absa Bank Ghana was also awarded HR Practitioner of the Year, while the HR-Oriented CEO of the Year went to Beryl Agyekum Ayaaba of EchoHouse Ghana. Ecobank Ghana was also awarded the HR Team of the Year.
