Ghana BPO workers build union power in Accra workshop
ACCRA, GHANA — Ghanaian workers in the booming business process outsourcing (BPO) sector are stepping up their efforts to secure better working conditions through a two-day workshop organized by UNI Global Union in Accra last November 2025.
According to a report from Uni Global Union, the training, held in partnership with the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU-Ghana), aimed to strengthen union organizing, leadership, and occupational safety skills among employees in the country’s growing outsourcing industry.
Training builds organizing skills in Ghana’s BPO sector
The workshop brought together 21 BPO employees, evenly split between men and women, including content analysts and customer service agents.
Participants shared firsthand experiences, discussing challenges such as unpaid working time, strict productivity targets, and quality scoring systems.
The training emphasized practical tools for union growth. Workers learned to identify leaders, map workplace issues, and plan effective organizing campaigns with the goal of increasing union density within CWU-Ghana.
“We welcome growth in the BPO sector from local and international companies, but growth must depend on good jobs and prosperity for workers too,” said CWU-Ghana General Secretary Joseph Yao Hotor.
By focusing on these skills, the workshop aimed to empower employees to assert their rights, amplify their voices, and actively participate in shaping fairer workplace practices.
Participants also explored ways to expand union membership, fostering a more organized workforce capable of negotiating collectively with employers.
Safety and health pushed into BPO bargaining
The second day concentrated on occupational safety and health (OSH), equipping workers with knowledge to conduct workplace risk assessments and identify cross-cutting issues for inclusion in collective bargaining.
By integrating safety and well-being into negotiations, organizers hope to ensure that fair conditions remain a top priority as Ghana’s BPO sector continues to expand.
Ghana’s outsourcing industry has become a magnet for both national and multinational firms, drawn by its educated, English-speaking workforce and political stability. However, conditions can vary widely, underscoring the need for consistent labor standards.
“We’re asking that multinational companies set safe and fair working conditions in all the countries where they operate,” Hotor added.
With Africa’s outsourcing industry growing rapidly, this workshop illustrates a broader trend: workers are increasingly recognizing the value of unionization and organized advocacy.
BPO operations are expanding across the continent, and initiatives like this will be crucial to promoting sustainable growth, where companies thrive without compromising worker safety, fair pay, and well-being.
Ghana’s proactive approach could serve as a model for other countries looking to balance industry growth with labor empowerment.
