On Thursday, 25^th January, 2024, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) in collaboration with SNV, Ghana organised a one day sensitisation and awareness creation workshop for some selected journalists on the National Green Jobs Strategy at the Central Hotel, Accra.

 The National Green Jobs Strategy is a framework developed by the Ministry in collaboration with other stakeholders to create platforms, develop capacities and institute measures which would minimize job losses and maximise the potential of the green and circular economy for the creation of decent green jobs in Ghana.

The aim of the workshop was to create awareness and build a partnership with the media to ensure a just transition from a brown economy to a green economy.

A brown economy is one in which economic growth is largely dependent on environmentally destructive forms of activity, especially fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

Whereas a green economy is an economy that aims at reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities, and that aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment.

In a speech read by the Director, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPME), Madam Gloria Bortele Noi, on behalf of the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Hon. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, madam Noi, expressed gratitude to the SNV Ghana, the European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for their commitment and support in the development and implementation of the National Green Jobs Strategy.  She remarked that "As concerned citizens, it is imperative that we remain well informed about climate change and its adverse effect on our environment and wellbeing".

She mentioned that "The knowledge on the measures and strategies to combat climate change, will equip us to make informed decisions, especially on matters concerning the sustainability of the environment and labour market."

The Director PPME, noted that in Ghana, the challenges of global warming is fuelled by human activities and greenhouse gases had worsened in recent times due to illegal mining activities known as "galamsey."

She said a policy decision to limit the importation of fossil fuel vehicles in favour of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions could adversely affect mechanics specialising in fossil fuel vehicle repairs, rendering them jobless overnight.

Hence, collaboration is crucial to mitigate job losses and maximise opportunities in adopting green technologies.

The Director said a sudden shift from a brown economy to a green economy to mitigate the effect of climate change would render a lot of workers jobless and increase unemployment in the country.

Madam Gloria said the media had a crucial role to play in ensuring a sustainable green environment. She  appealed to the media to intensify education on issues of climate change and requirements for a just transition and that through investigative journalism, the media could bring to light environmental issues which could influence decision-making

On his part, Mr Awudu Dramani Musah, Senior Skills Development Advisor, SNV, Ghana said SNV wants to ensure the "National Green Jobs Strategy" project stays and that it benefits Ghanaians.

Mr Gideon Mankralo, National Project Coordinator, ILO, reiterated the need to give people new skills so that they would fit into the green economy.

Mr Ernest Berko stated the overall objective of the National Green Jobs Strategy was to support the creation of green jobs through coherent and effective policy coordination of sectoral approaches.