Labour Minister calls for stakeholder input to strengthen workplace safety

Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, has called for stakeholder input to enhance workplace safety. Speaking at the 2026 Health, Environment, Safety and Security (HESS) Leadership Conference, Dr Pelpuo emphasized that workers should be shielded from hazards that could jeopardize their health and efficiency.

He added that the conference's recommendations should offer practical solutions to issues impacting workplace safety, environmental conservation, and worker wellbeing. HESS, themed "Building Leadership that Protects Lives, Preserves the Environment and Secures the Future," aims to convene stakeholders from various sectors, including mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, trading, and public services.

The event will serve as a forum for government, employers, workers, development partners, academia, and industry to discuss pressing issues in occupational health and safety, environmental protection, and employment. Dr Pelpuo highlighted the Ministry's keen interest in proposals that could inform government policies and programs related to workplace safety.

He underscored that a secure workforce is crucial for economic stability, as employees must operate in safe conditions and return home without incident. Prince Obeng Afful, an Advisory Council Member for the HESS Leadership Conference, confirmed the organizers' eagerness to collaborate with the Ministry to elevate occupational health and safety standards in Ghana.

He stated that HESS views the Ministry as a vital partner in its mission to promote safer workplaces in both the public and private sectors. Mr Afful also affirmed that the conference would contribute to discussions surrounding Ghana's proposed Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, which is poised to establish a cohesive legal framework for workplace health and safety.

This partnership aims to ensure that industry players' concerns and firsthand experiences are integrated into the proposed legislation. Consequently, the 2026 HESS Leadership Conference is expected to yield recommendations that can bolster occupational safety standards and foster healthier, more sustainable workplaces throughout Ghana.