Ghana’s government is finalizing a National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Policy to strengthen workplace safety and boost productivity across all sectors. Announced by Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, at the HESS Leadership Conference 2025, this policy aims to make safety a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Dr Pelpuo, speaking as a guest at the conference themed “Leading the Way: Empowering Safety Professionals to Become Tomorrow’s Safety Leaders,” emphasized the policy’s role in providing a coordinated framework. “This policy will outline the roles of all OSH actors and integrate issues like gender, disability, climate resilience, and the informal economy,” he said, as reported by JoyNews. It will also guide sector-specific safety policies and support businesses in implementing OSH standards.
The minister urged the private sector to prioritize safer workplaces, highlighting that safe environments reduce absenteeism, enhance morale, and drive productivity. He outlined government efforts, including a Special Task Force on Compliance and Enforcement. This task force will conduct nationwide OSH audits and inspections, focusing on high-risk sectors like construction and mining. “The task force engages employers and workers to address safety gaps and ensure compliance with national and international standards,” Pelpuo added.
Ghana is also developing its first National OSH Profile in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This profile will provide a detailed overview of the country’s OSH legal framework, risk-prone sectors, training institutions, and accident reporting systems. Dr Pelpuo stressed its importance in identifying and addressing safety challenges systematically.
The HESS Leadership Conference, organized by Ianmatsun Global Services Limited, was praised by Pelpuo for fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Event Director Ian Isaac Nana Adu-Gyamfi noted the conference’s success in uniting regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders. “We brought in experts to show how safety professionals can justify investments in safety technologies,” he said. Topics included risk assessment, security leadership, and collective responsibility, engaging management and staff alike.
Adu-Gyamfi expressed optimism about the conference becoming a national fixture, fostering a safety-first culture in Ghana. The event underscored the need for innovation and collaboration to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable workplaces. As Ghana prepares to roll out its Occupational Safety and Health Policy, the focus on workplace safety signals a transformative step forward.
Stay informed on Ghana’s Occupational Safety and Health initiatives and their impact on workplaces nationwide!
Source: myjoyonline
