The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), has urged multinational enterprises operating in Ghana to begin Corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the walls of the company before extending outward.
Speaking at a high-level corporate national dialogue organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Madam Joyce Abdulai, Senior Human Resource Officer at GIPC, challenged companies to shift their CSR lens inward and prioritise the well-being, development, and working conditions of their own employees.
“CSR is not just about building schools or donating to communities. It must begin with your staff,” she said.
She quizzed: “Do your workers have safe, dignified working conditions? Are they empowered, trained, and supported? If not, then your CSR efforts are incomplete.”
Her comments came during a panel session focused on realising decent work in multinational enterprises (MNEs) in Ghana, a key concern as foreign investment continues to grow in sectors ranging from manufacturing and logistics to agriculture and mining.
Madam Abdulai emphasised that Ghana’s legal framework, particularly the GIPC Act 2013 (Act 865) and Technology Transfer Regulations, 1992 (L.I. 1547), requires MNEs to go beyond job creation and actively transfer knowledge and skills to Ghanaians.
These laws mandate firms to present Technology Transfer Agreements outlining how they plan to train local staff to eventually occupy key roles, reducing dependence on expatriates.
She praised companies like Fanmilk Limited for honouring these obligations and promoting Ghanaians to managerial positions. “These companies are not just ticking boxes but they are investing in people and laying foundations for long-term local leadership,” she said.
However, she did not shy away from pointing out the challenges. She noted that in some regions, the lack of qualified local talent makes it difficult for companies to meet localisation expectations.
“We must face the reality, some communities simply lack the skilled labour force that modern industries demand. This creates a mismatch that must be urgently addressed through vocational training and education reforms,” she said.
To this end, she urged stronger partnerships between government, educational institutions, and private investors to close the skills gap and ensure that local residents are equipped to benefit from the opportunities MNEs bring.
On the matter of transparency, she assured that all investment-related regulations, including labour rights and employment policies, are readily made available to prospective investors through GIPC’s official platforms.
