[ 2017-05-24 ]

CEO, Ghana Employers Association, Alex Frimpong

Employers’ Association proposes extension of maternity leave by 2 weeks
The Ghana Employers’ Association has proposed an
extension of the country’s maternity leave from
the current 12 weeks to 14 weeks.

The call follows moves from various stake holders
to have the leave period extended to enable women
undertake exclusive breastfeeding as well as
recover before resuming work.

Speaking to Citi Business News on the matter, the
CEO of the Ghana Employers Association, Alex
Frimpong said an extended time period should be
effected to allow women fully regain their
strength.

“I think that the proposed increase of the
maternity leave from the current 12 to 14 weeks is
something that the Ghana Employers Association
supports, women need more time especially after
birth to take care of their babies. After all,
that’s the only avenue for ensuring that human
welfare goes on; so to that extent, it should be
extended.”

“Again by recreation, we get the next generation
of workers so we support an extension of the
current period,” Mr. Frimpong added.

The call for an extension has however been met
with opposition from some women in business who
believe the current leave period is long enough
for nursing mothers to deal with.

They with further argue that an extension would
have a negative effect on production at work.

Dr. Nana Yaa Owusu Prempeh is one of the female
entrepreneurs who believe extending the leave time
will only lead to losses in the business sector.

“I am a mother of four, I have done it, when I
was pregnant I was going to work and school at the
same time, I’m not here to condemn women because
I believe in women but the fact that you are a
woman and you get pregnant does not mean you have
come to the end of the world and we should clap
for you but we are trying to build an economy
which should sustain itself.”

Alex Frimpong spoke to Citi Business News at the
sidelines of the 3rd Women in HR Conference.

The conference seeks to bring together women in
various sectors of the economy on how to improve
productivity at in their respective jobs.

The GEA in 2015 initiated the Women in HR
Conference in acknowledgment of the contribution
of women in the field of HR and beyond.

The previous editions brought together top female
HR practitioners from various sectors of the
economy, including banking, manufacturing,
commercial agriculture, educational institutions,
mining companies, petroleum and power, industries
etc. to share ideas, experiences and the best
practices aimed at enhancing their career
prospects, optimizing their professional
potential, advancement in the corporate world and
improve productivity at their various work places.

Source - citibsinessnews.com

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