Ministry of labour launches National Occupational Safety and Health Profile to shape policy interventions

The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has launched Ghana’s maiden National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Profile, a foundational document designed to guide the formulation of a comprehensive national policy and legislation on occupational safety and health.

Speaking at the Launch, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, on Friday in Accra described the initiative as a historic milestone that demonstrates government’s determination to strengthen occupational safety systems and protect the wellbeing of the Ghanaian workforce.

He noted that the OSH Profile would serve as the basis for a National OSH Policy and Legislation, aligning Ghana’s standards with international labour conventions and best practices.

“This launch marks a new phase in Ghana’s journey to institutionalize occupational safety and health. Our goal is to ensure that every worker, in every sector, formal or informal, operates in a safe, healthy, and dignified environment,” he stated.

He commended the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the application of the Work in Fishing Convention (C188), calling it another important step toward protecting vulnerable workers.

“Our fishers feed the nation, and it is our responsibility to ensure that their working environment is safe and decent. The SOP is a practical tool to make that commitment a reality,” he added.

On his part, representing the Ghana Employers Association, Mr. Alex Frimpong Amoah stressed the urgency of creating safer work environments across all sectors.

He cited recent cases of building collapses and workplace accidents as examples of preventable tragedies that undermine productivity and economic growth.

“We need to ensure that our workplaces are safe and conducive,” he said. “Otherwise, it won’t help productivity or national development.”

Speaking on behalf of the International Labour Organization, Mr. Enoch Cudjoe explained that Ghana’s OSH Profile aligns with ILO Conventions 155 and 187, which serve as international frameworks for promoting safe and healthy workplaces.

“This profile serves as a foundation for developing a national OSH policy,” he said. “We are very pleased that Ghana has reached this stage, and we hope the effort continues until the policy and accompanying programme are fully enacted.”

Delivering an in-depth presentation on the Profile, Dr. S. T. Odonkor, the lead consultant on the project, emphasized that the document serves as a roadmap for reform.

He urged the government to consolidate existing occupational safety laws into a single framework and to establish a National Occupational Safety and Health Authority with legal powers to enforce compliance.

The launch of the OSH Profile and the accompanying SOP marks a defining moment in Ghana’s occupational safety and health journey, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building safer workplaces, protecting lives, and fostering sustainable productivity across all sectors.