The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that a higher proportion of workers in urban centers work excessive hours compared to those in rural areas.
The service warned that long working hours can lead to worker fatigue, reduced productivity, health risks, safety concerns, and poor work-life balance.
According to the GSS, excessive working hours are commonly defined as exceeding 48 hours per week.
“Adequate working time is a crucial part of decent work. It represents a key element of working conditions and has a great impact on workers’ income, well-being, and living conditions,” the report, titled National Report on Productivity, Employment, and Growth, stated.
The findings showed that about 7 percent of employed people worked more than 48 hours per week, though this figure declined to around 4 percent in the third quarter of 2023.
The report also highlighted a gender disparity, indicating that male workers are more likely to work excessive hours compared to their female counterparts.
The GSS noted that these observations suggest concerns about decent working conditions are more prevalent among males and urban workers than among females and rural workers.
