The Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) has called for urgent reforms and stronger state support to improve productivity and efficiency across Ghana’s economy, warning that institutional and operational challenges continue to affect its mandate.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 National Productivity Week celebration in Accra on 7 May, the Director-General of MDPI, Professor Elijah Yendaw, outlined a series of reforms and initiatives the Institute is pursuing to strengthen the productivity culture in both the public and private sectors.

The event, held at the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment conference room, was under the theme: “Transforming Mindset, Driving Efficiency: The MDPI Approach to Sustainable Productivity for Ghana’s Economic Growth”.

Prof. Yendaw said the Institute is seeking to expand its operational capacity through a proposed Act of Parliament, while also developing a national productivity framework to guide performance improvement across sectors of the economy.

He disclosed that MDPI is pursuing the establishment of satellite offices in Kumasi, Takoradi, Ho, and the Upper West Region to decentralise its services and improve nationwide access to training and consultancy support.

However, Prof. Yendaw said the Institute continues to grapple with major operational difficulties, including inadequate staffing, limited funding, and insufficient logistics.

Among the challenges listed were delays in recruitment approvals, lack of vehicles for field operations, and the inability to complete MDPI’s office infrastructure projects.

“Inadequate funding to run MDPI’s day-to-day operations effectively remains one of our major challenges,” he said.

The launch of the 2026 National Productivity Week brought together government officials, development partners, heads of state institutions, and industry leaders to discuss strategies to improve workplace efficiency and national productivity.

Report by Clankson Acheampong for Asaase News in Accra