The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has launched a new initiative to strengthen workplace safety and ensure compliance with Ghana’s labour laws. The Ashanti Regional Health and Safety Compliance Taskforce will assist in inspections, provide guidance to employers, and help prevent workplace accidents.
At the launch on Monday, November 17, Hon. Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the wellbeing and dignity of Ghanaian workers.
“Every workplace injury carries both a human cost and a national cost,” Dr. Pelpuo emphasized, highlighting the need for better monitoring systems and strict adherence to laws such as the Labour Act (Act 651) and the Factories, Offices and Shops Act (Act 328).
The Minister described the Taskforce as a decentralised structure designed to bring safety enforcement closer to local communities, businesses, and workers.
“By establishing this regional Taskforce, we are bringing part of the operational strength at the capital closer to the people,” he stated. “This means quicker response, stronger oversight, and clearer accountability.”
The Taskforce will support labour officers during inspections, improve district-level coordination, provide safety guidance to employers and employees, and ensure enforcement measures are practical and sustainable.
Dr. Pelpuo also called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to play an active role, emphasizing that local leadership is crucial to the initiative’s success.
He urged employers and workers alike to view safety as a shared responsibility. Employers must implement legal requirements through proper training, safe equipment, and regular inspections, while workers should follow safety protocols and report hazards promptly.
Following the Minister’s remarks, Mr. Hamidu Adakurugu, Chief Director of the Ministry, reinforced that workplace safety remains a national priority. He commended the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, MMDCEs, regulatory agencies, private sector organisations, and civil society partners for their support.
