GEA-IPMA graduates 32 students in Industrial Relations Programme
The Ghana Employers Association (GEA), in collaboration with the International Professional Managers Association (IPMA) in United Kingdom has graduated 32 students who just completed the Diploma in Industrial Relations programme.
The ceremony, which was held under the theme: “Creating a resilient industrial relations environment for improved productivity,” was the third in the series and saw the graduation of the fifth and sixth batches of the programme.
Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Kizito Ballans, commended the GEA and IPMA for rolling out a diploma programme for practitioners of industrial relations.
He said the collaboration demonstrated the importance the GEA has attached to the promotion of peaceful industrial relations.
The Hon. Minister indicated that it was high time innovative ways of minimizing industrial disputes were identified to ensure the effective production of goods and services at the workplace.
He also stated that there was the pressing need for employers, management and employees to familiarize themselves with relevant policies and legislations of the sector to provide guidance in the reduction of industrial disputes at the workplace.
“This would reduce the frequency of industrial disputes because they are occasionally caused by lack of knowledge of the law,” he added.
Mr Eugene Narh Korletey, Chief Labour Officer at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, said the theme for the event was timely and relevant as it depicted what was needed in the country’s current labour space.
He said the graduating classes were part of the key actors with the role of creating conducive work environment to enhance growth.
Mr Korletey said it was for which reason they had to efficiently use the knowledge acquired to enhance productivity and maintain harmonious relationships in their organizations and the country at large.
Mr Alex Frimpong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEA, encouraged the graduands to put their skills to use and help reduce industrial disputes. He assured the graduates of the GEA & IPMA’s continual support to help them in the course of their works.
Mr Kingsley Laar and Mr Bethel Yeboah, the overall best students for the sixth and fifth batches respectively, expressed their gratitude to their organizations for the opportunity to add value to themselves.
Mr. Laar and Mr. Yeboah both underscored that they had received great knowledge and hence assured that they were prepared to tackle challenges that may come their way, as well as help in achieving harmonious and peaceful workplace environment for their organizations to thrive.