Human Resource Strategies for an Ageing Workforce and Knowledge Transfer in Ghanaian Public Sector Organisations: Evidence from CSIR-FRI

Abstract

Population ageing is reshaping public-sector workforces and increasing the risk that organisations lose knowledge when experienced employees retire. This study examines how human resource strategies support an ageing workforce and institutional knowledge continuity at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Food Research Institute (CSIR–FRI), Ghana. Guided by Nonaka and Takeuchi’s SECI knowledge-creation model and Human Capital Theory, the study addresses three objectives: assessing the contribution of knowledge-transfer mechanisms to institutional knowledge preservation, identifying HR strategies used to support an ageing workforce, and examining the workforce-ageing challenges confronting the institute. A quantitative descriptive case-study design was employed. From a population of 71 employees, 60 were randomly selected and 43 questionnaires were returned, representing a 71.7% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index. Knowledge-transfer mechanisms were perceived to preserve institutional knowledge to a moderate extent by 53.5% of respondents. Training and development were the highest-ranked HR strategy (RII = 0.781), followed by succession planning (RII = 0.771), whereas health and wellness programmes received the lowest emphasis (RII = 0.702). Ageism and skills gaps were the highest-ranked challenges (RII = 0.762 each). The study shows that HR practices and knowledge-transfer arrangements exist but are not yet sufficiently integrated to secure knowledge continuity. It contributes context-specific evidence from a Ghanaian public research institution and demonstrates the value of combining age-inclusive HR practices with knowledge-conversion processes before experienced employees exit the organisation. The findings identify priorities for policy, succession planning, intergenerational learning, and knowledge repositories in Ghana.