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By Efua Nessa
“As a nation, we need to reset our mindset if we are to develop,” the Speaker declared passionately, calling for a shift in attitudes that he says continue to hinder Ghana’s progress.
He criticised the growing tendency for public events and official functions to start late under the guise of protocol, insisting that such delays reflect a broader national mindset that holds the country back.
“The situation where you attend a public function and are asked to wait because people are not seated, citing protocol — it must stop,” he stressed.
Productivity has long been a challenge for successive governments in Ghana, with concerns over low output and inefficiency frustrating citizens, particularly in the public sector. While recent data showed a modest productivity improvement of 3.6 percent in December 2024, many Ghanaians say these gains have yet to translate into tangible improvements in everyday life.
Speaking at the same event, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, emphasised the urgent need for discipline, patriotism, and commitment to rebuilding the country’s struggling economy. Meanwhile, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, described productivity as the backbone of economic recovery and national prosperity.
Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, painted a worrying picture of the economic consequences of low productivity, linking it directly to poor wages and the growing exodus of young professionals seeking opportunities abroad. “The reason our salaries are low and many are considering leaving the country is because we are not productive. As a nation, we must address this,” he said.
Adding to the discussion, Director-General of the MDPI, Dr Elijah Yendaw, highlighted the importance of implementing measurable productivity systems to accelerate Ghana’s development agenda.
This year’s Productivity Week is being observed under the theme: “Transforming Mindset, Driving Efficiency: The MDPI Approach to Sustainable Productivity for Ghana’s Economic Growth.”