The concept of productivity is often viewed through the lens of efficiency and output, yet for many workers in Ghana’s garment and shea sectors it is deeply personal. Their livelihoods support entire families and even other sectors such as agriculture, making their working conditions crucial to both economic stability and overall well-being. Challenges such as extreme heat, repetitive strain and heavy manual labour can rapidly erode productivity and health, underscoring the need for more supportive work environments.
Through funding from Switzerland and Norway, the ILO’s Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work programme is helping to confront these realities. In partnership with key national institutions—including government ministries, the Ghana Trade Union Congress and the Ghana Employers Association—the initiative has improved policies, strengthened industrial organisations and, notably, provided direct support to women-led SMEs in the garment and shea industries. This support has reached both urban entrepreneurs and rural communities through business training, locally manufactured equipment and hands-on technical support. The results are visible in safer workplaces, reduced physical strain, increased profits, job creation and more motivated workers.
To bring these transformations to life, the ILO collaborated with the Dikan Center, supporting two young Ghanaian documentary photographers through a fellowship programme. Over six months, Nokor and Adbul immersed themselves in the daily lives of garment workers and shea processors, capturing authentic moments that reflect resilience, skill and pride. Their photographs reveal the human meaning of productivity—from mastering new techniques to working collaboratively on production lines—and show that when workers flourish, industries grow stronger.
These stories converge in an exhibition that illustrates how the future of Ghana’s labour landscape is being shaped by the hands of its workers. The exhibition will travel across Africa and later to Europe, sharing powerful narratives of work, transformation and dignity with global audiences. The Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work programme continues to advance productivity and decent work in Ghana, building more inclusive and sustainable sectors for the future.
