The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Ghana Trades Union Congress met in Ghana in a union-to-union cooperation effort to compare notes and ensure that global energy transition and climate policies do not adversely affect the livelihoods of workers in both countries. The meeting took place on Monday, July 7.
The workshop aims to enable knowledge sharing among members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Over the next three days, the two groups will hold technical sessions on Just Transition and climate change, focusing particularly on how these issues affect the future of work.
The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress of Ghana, Mr. Joshua Ansah, noted that the urgency of climate change is no longer up for debate. He highlighted that across Africa and the world, working people are already living with unpredictable weather patterns, rising living costs, and the resulting growing inequality. Mr. Ansah stressed the need for action rooted in justice, stating, “That is why the principle of Just Transition is so vital. Climate policies must not worsen existing inequalities or sacrifice livelihoods.”
ILO Senior Specialist on Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), Ms. Inviolata Chinyangarara, described the conference as a groundbreaking event organized by the ILO, bringing together unions from the Nigeria Labour Congress to collaborate with the Ghana Trades Union Congress. “Over the three days, we will have technical sessions on ILO policies regarding Just Transition and climate change,” she said, adding that they would also explore the role of social dialogue, with unions playing a key role in national climate change advocacy.
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Employers Association emphasized that if the transition is not well-managed, it risks exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining decent work. He added, however, that energy transition holds the promise of fostering innovation, green enterprise growth, and resilient labour markets.
Chairman of the International Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Marwan Mustapha Adamu, noted that climate change is largely a workplace reality, with workers, their families, and communities on the frontlines of its impact.
