Ghana holds discussion on occupational safety and health

Ghana is making significant move towards achieving world-class occupational safety and health (OSH) at a high-level roundtable discussion on the passage of a draft national OSH Bill.

The event, which will take place on Wednesday 7 December, will be chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment Relations and co-hosted by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

The event will be attended by representatives from government, business, trade unions and international organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) to Accra.

Delegates will draw on the lessons of IOSH’s recent four-year support for the successful introduction of OSH strategy and plan in Malaysia.

Alan Stevens, head of strategic engagement at IOSH, who will represent the Malaysian experience, said the upcoming event is a crucial step in the effort to create a safer, healthier world of work across the African continent.

“This roundtable will play a crucial supportive role in helping government efforts towards the establishment of national legislative and administrative structures in the management of occupational safety and health.

“It is great to see key actors coming together to show their commitment to make this happen to make Ghana not only a safer, healthier place to work but also bring major benefits to the country’s economy, its healthcare and its education system,” he said.

He said OSH does not only seek to protect the wellbeing of workers but it is also geared towards attaining long term achievements.

“When other emerging economies from the Commonwealth and beyond see how OSH can not only help protect workers but also impress global business, lever inward investment, build strong supply chains, boost healthcare provision and free up workers’ families to pursue their education, then I’m sure they will want to secure the same OSH improvements that Ghana has committed itself to achieving.”

He is optimistic that with the growing networks of OSH professionals emerging in Ghana and in other West African countries, capacity will continue to build.