GEA calls for safer workplaces that prioritises workers wellbeing  

The Ghana Employers Association (GEA) has called for improved regulation, and sustained investment in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) at workplaces.   

Dr Emmanuel Adu-Sarkodie Afriyie, President of the GEA, made the call at the opening of the second annual OSH conference in Accra on Thursday.  

He said the changing labour landscape, driven by technology and new forms of work, demands proactive strategies to safeguard workers wellbeing and maintain productivity. 

The conference, organised by the GEA, with support from the Confederation of Norwegian Employers, was on the theme: “Future-Ready Workplaces: Advancing Safety, Well-Being and Productivity in a Transforming World of Work”. 

Dr Afriyie said despite the progress made in workplace safety, frequent accidents, injuries, fires and occupational diseases continued to impose significant financial and operational burdens on enterprises. 

Mr Joshua Ansah, the Secretary-General, Trades Union Congress (TUC), said the evolving world of work continued to place new pressures on employees, from factory workers adjusting to automation to office staff dealing with rising stress and teachers facing psychological strain. 

He said the safety, health and dignity of workers must remain at the centre of every conversation on productivity, stating that “every worker who leaves home for work deserves to return safely, healthy and hopeful.” 

Mr Ansah pledged organised labour’s readiness to collaborate with employers to build safer and more resilient workplaces. 

Mr Micheal Ako Korsa, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Ghana National Fire Service, said workplace safety must be viewed as a central pillar of enterprise sustainability, not an add-on, especially at a time when Ghana continued to record devastating fire outbreaks in industries, markets and public spaces. 

“By identifying potential hazards physical, psychological or technology-related and assessing their impact proactively, organisations can put in place effective controls,” she said, citing ISO 45001 standards and national fire regulations as essential guides. 

Mr Korsa encouraged organisations to adopt modern technologies such as drones for aerial assessments, for real-time health monitoring, and AI analytics for predictive risk detection. 

He emphasised the need for continuous training, robust reporting systems, and strict equipment maintenance, adding that “a faulty extinguisher is as good as none.” 

The annual OSH conference was institutionalised to deepen national dialogue, equip employers and workers with emerging knowledge. 

It seeks to promote strong safety cultures aligned with global frameworks, including the International Labour Organization’s 2022 amendment, recognising safe and healthy work as a fundamental right. 

This year’s conference features three interlinked sessions on strengthening labour market regulation and enforcement, integrating sustainability into enterprise OSH systems. 

It also aims at building workplace cultures that translate policy into behavioural change and productivity. 

Source: GNA 

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