ILO holds 2-day multi-stakeholder workshop on decent work and inclusive finance

Workshop on Inclusive Financial Solutions for Vulnerable Workers

The International Labour Organization (ILO) held a two-day workshop. It focused on using inclusive financial solutions to improve work conditions. The event took place in Accra from May 5 to May 6, 2025. It was titled “Innovating for Inclusion: Financial Solutions to Advance Decent Work.”

Key participants included trade unions, civil society, financial institutions, and government representatives. They discussed innovative approaches to financial inclusion that support rights-based development strategies.

Mr. Abubakari Kamil, the ILO's National Project Coordinator, opened the event. He highlighted ongoing decent work deficits in vulnerable sectors despite years of effort. He stated that limited access to employment and social protection remains a challenge.

Kamil emphasized the potential of inclusive finance to empower families and cooperatives. He expressed hope that the workshop would inspire collaboration and innovation for resilient economies.

Mr. Kennedy Atong Achakoma from the Trades Union Congress also spoke at the workshop. He stressed the link between financial inclusion and decent work outcomes. Achakoma noted that financial issues significantly affect access to social protection and income security.

He called for innovative pathways to integrate vulnerable workers into the economy. By co-creating solutions with affected communities, Ghana can strive for fairness.

The workshop was organized by three ILO projects in Ghana: ACCEL Africa, Fair Recruitment Initiative – Phase III, and Social Finance Programme. Each project targets specific themes but shares a vision of addressing inequalities through inclusive finance.

During plenary sessions, ILO experts presented updates on these core projects. They discussed strategies for reducing child labor in cocoa supply chains and ensuring fair recruitment of migrant workers.

Panel discussions included representatives from various sectors identifying gaps in financial services. Key topics were digital financial services, gender-sensitive products, and strengthening rural cooperatives.

One engaging feature was co-creation sessions where participants designed inclusive financial solutions together. They focused on practical tools like credit products linked to social protection and group-based financial literacy initiatives.

The workshop encouraged attendees to share experiences and develop context-specific interventions collaboratively. It aimed to create a community of practice promoting peer learning beyond the event.

Additionally, it sought actionable strategies for improving informal workers' financial resilience and access to social security while ensuring ethical recruitment practices.

This initiative aligns with ILO’s Decent Work Agenda promoting productive work opportunities under equitable conditions. It also supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work).