Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, says the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancement into the work environment will invariably result in loss of traditional jobs.
He said due to the technological advancement under the Fourth Industrial Revolution, many countries worldwide were shifting from traditional economy to a new era of production and service delivery using innovative technologies.
In that vein, the Minister said government was promoting technical and vocational training as well as active labour market programmes to equip people with the requisite skills to find alternative jobs on the labour market.
Mr Baffour-Awuah said this at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ workshop in Accra on Wednesday, to solicit views from key players to develop national strategy for safeguarding potential jobs for workers and persons who might lose their sources of livelihood as a result of climate change and technological advancement.
The event was held on the theme: “Taking Stock and Identifying High Potential Entry Points for Promoting Green Jobs in Ghana,”
IT brought together environmental consultants, policy-makers and representatives from the Trades Union Congress, Ghana Employers Association, National Development Planning Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, International Labour Organisation, Labour Department, Ministries of Finance and Employment and Labour Relations.
He said the new employment policy had been designed to develop skills to make the people adapt to climate change and technological advancement so that no one is left behind.
According to 2017 Ghana Living Standard Survey, agriculture contributes 38 per cent to job creation, services constituted 45 per cent and industry offers 18 per cent.
Mr Dennis Zulu, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director for West Africa, in his welcome address, said the effect of climate change was affecting the economies of many nations in the world and underscored the need for every nation to be more responsible and utilise the national resources to create job opportunities for the people.
He said Ghana had been an exemplary member of the ILO, explaining that statistics available showed many jobs had been created by the government of Ghana.
Mr Zulu called for efficient application of renewable energy sources, reduction of carbon emissions and more use of organic agriculture to make the earth a safer place for all.