VP Opoku-Agyemang Pledges Government's Full Protection of Workers' Pension Funds at Ho Labour Conference

Vice President Professor Jane Nana Opoku-Agyemang has given a firm assurance that the government remains fully committed to protecting the pension savings of Ghanaian workers, describing such funds as the product of a lifetime of labour and sacrifice that must be handled with the utmost care.

Speaking at the 2026 National Labour Conference in Ho, which brought together government officials, labour unions, employers, and key stakeholders, the Vice President said regulatory oversight over pension fund management would be strengthened to guard against mismanagement and preserve asset value in the face of economic pressures.

"Government remains committed to safeguarding the integrity and value of especially pension fund assets for the benefit of the Ghanaian worker. We therefore remain committed to our obligations with other tier pension schemes," she stated.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang also touched on broader economic ambitions, noting that the government's 24-hour economy policy — anchored on a seven-point action plan — was central to accelerating growth, maximising national resources, and positioning Ghana as a fast-growing, export-led economy.

On public sector pay, she acknowledged that the current single-spine salary structure, introduced roughly 15 years ago, is now under severe strain. She said the proposed establishment of an independent emoluments body is a deliberate step to stabilise compensation, restore fairness, and maintain industrial harmony. She added that 2026 would not be a year for major public sector pay renegotiations, with existing collective agreements to be honoured as an interim measure while broader economic reforms continue.

The Vice President concluded by calling for stronger cooperation among government, organised labour, and employers, and urged stakeholders to embrace flexible working arrangements and modernised labour laws to ensure adequate social protection for all workers.