The Minister of Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, officially inaugurated a new office complex for the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on Friday, November 15, 2024.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the newly completed facility, marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the working conditions of public sector employees and enhance the Commission’s efficiency in carrying out its mandate.
The Minister expressed the government’s strong commitment to promoting decent work and fair compensation. He noted that the new office complex was a key part of the government’s broader agenda to create a conducive work environment for public sector employees and to improve productivity across the board.
“The government is committed to creating an enabling environment where workers can thrive, and productivity can be improved,” Baffour Awuah stated. He further emphasized that “while we have the best office buildings, the quality of service remains paramount.
Therefore, it is essential that the staff justify the state’s investment by offering efficient and effective service delivery.”
The new four-story office complex, designed with modern infrastructure, will house the headquarters of the FWSC as well as various facilities aimed at enhancing the Commission’s operations.
The complex includes offices for directors, different units of the commission, and a dedicated negotiation room. It also features a spacious ICT office designed to support the technological needs of the Commission’s operations.
One of the standout features of the building is the 200-seat auditorium, which will serve as a venue for conference activities, workshops, and large-scale meetings. The complex also has a fully equipped kitchen, a well-appointed boardroom, and ample parking space for staff and visitors.
The facility was fully sponsored by the government and constructed by private construction company, First Beacon Architectural Limited.
According to the contractor, Reverend Richmond Okrah, the building took almost two years to complete, with the company working diligently to ensure that the project was finished within the designated time frame.
In his speech, the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Ing. Benjamin Arthur, expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Ministry of Employment, and the Ministry of Finance for their unwavering support throughout the project. He specifically commended Minister Baffour Awuah for his leadership in facilitating the timely completion of the office complex.
“This new office complex is a clear testament to the government’s commitment to improving the working conditions of public servants and promoting fair wages and salaries in Ghana,” Arthur remarked.
Arthur also noted that the FWSC was fortunate to receive such a modern facility, pointing out that other agencies under the Ministry had not yet had access to similar infrastructure. He assured the public that the FWSC would take great care in maintaining the facility and using it to benefit all stakeholders.
In addition to the new office building, Minister Baffour Awuah highlighted other recent government initiatives aimed at improving public sector labor conditions. He mentioned the presentation of 16 new pickup vehicles to the Labour Department, which will support the department’s operational activities.
Additionally, the government has commissioned 16 new Public Employment Centres to enhance access to employment services across the country.
The Minister also revealed that the new office building for the Ministry of Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions had been completed and is located opposite the Accra Sports Stadium.
This office, which will further bolster the Ministry’s ability to fulfill its mandate, is another step in the government’s wider effort to modernize and streamline labor-related institutions.
The new office complex for the FWSC is expected to not only improve the Commission’s service delivery but also provide a state-of-the-art working environment for employees, helping to foster efficiency, accountability, and better outcomes for the Ghanaian workforce.
