National Labour Commission and Labour Department of Ghana Joins S-DIA Advocacy to Host Maiden Africa Labour and Employment Summit (ALES 25)

Sustainable Development in Africa Advocacy (S-DIA Advocacy) has announced the inaugural Africa Labour and Employment Summit (ALES 25), expected to take place in June this year in Accra.

Under the theme, “The Future of Work and Labour Migration in Africa,” this landmark summit is in partnership with the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the LabourDepartment of Ghana, key collaborators committed to advancing fair labour practices and employment reforms across Africa.

The event is expected to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, trade unions, civil society, and development partners to engage in critical dialogue and action to transform Africa’s labour and employment landscape.

“We are at a defining moment for the future of work in Africa,” says Mr. Kweku Kakah, Executive Director of S-DIA Advocacy. “With youth unemployment on the rise, informal sector dominance, and a fast-growing digital economy, this summit aims to provide actionable solutions that prioritize inclusive, resilient, and future-ready employment systems. We are grateful for the partnership of the National Labour Commission and the Labour Department of Ghana, whose expertise and leadership are instrumental in achieving the summit’s goals.”

With more than 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25 and over 80% of its workforce in the informal sector, the summit will address challenges such as skills mismatches, limited labourprotections, gender inequality, and weak social security systems—while showcasing the untapped potential of green industries, digital platforms, and labour migration reforms.

Key components of ALES 25 include:

“ALES 25 is not just a conference; it is a strategic platform for policy innovation, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and sustainable job creation,” adds Mr. Kakah. “We’re focused on creating real pathways for young people, women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable workers to access decent work, whether locally or across borders.”

The National Labour Commission’s involvement enhances the summit’s potential to influence national and continental labourpolicy reforms, strengthen worker protections, and promote fair and ethical migration practices under regional frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Expected outcomes of the summit include:

• Labour Policy Resolutions and Legal Reform Commitments

• Youth Employment and Skills Development Programs

• Informal Sector Formalization Frameworks

• Green and Sustainable Employment Roadmaps

• Stronger Tripartite Collaboration and Regional Integration

“Africa’s development rests on the dignity, productivity, and wellbeing of its workers,” Mr. Kakah emphasizes. “The time for commitment is now, and ALES 25 is the ground where ideas must turn into action.”

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