Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, June 26, GNA – The Health, Environment Safety and Security (HESS) Awards has been held in Accra with a call for a sustainable future where the well-being and dignity of workers are prioritised.
Themed “Building a Resilient Workspace Post-COVID-19: the role of HSSE Initiatives,” the awards were aimed at recognising individuals and organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive HSSE culture within the work environment and among their stakeholders.
The event brought together professionals from various industries. It focused on creating awareness, raising the bar of excellence and showcasing success to encourage others to adopt best HSSE practices and management.
Speaking at the awards, Mr Oliver Boachie, Special Advisor to the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), said a healthy workforce was the backbone of every thriving economy, since the well-being of workers directly impacted their productivity.
He indicated that globally, nearly 2.8 million workers were losing their lives each year due to occupational accidents and diseases, with an additional 374 million suffering from non-fatal occupational accidents.
He said although there was a paucity of data in Ghana, the global statistics have underscored the urgent need for comprehensive health initiatives at the workplace.
He said the government in collaboration with MESTI was, among others, actively engaging employers and industry stakeholders to promote a culture of preventive healthcare and provide support for mental health and well-being of workers.
“We recognise that building a sustainable future for work through health, environment, safety, and security requires a collaborative effort from all sectors of society, therefore companies must strive for that,” he said.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister for Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, said his outfit would continue sensitising businesses on HESS workplace issues.
“This would ensure that recent recurrent disasters such as fire outbreaks, gas explosions, and road accidents, are curtailed to the barest minimum,” he said.
Mr Isaac Adu-Gyamfi, the Managing Director of Ianmatsun Global Services, organizers of the HESS Awards reiterated the responsibility of individuals and organisations to create a world that is sustainable and equitable.
“The companies have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve good health and safety while promoting economic growth and social development,” he said.
In all, 22 companies and 11 personalities were honoured for their exemplary work in HSSE practices.
The Bui Power Authority picked up six awards, the highest number for the event. The company won the Best Company in Fire Safety and Security Management Practices, HESS Company of the Year, HESS Team of the Year, and Sustainability and Operational Excellence Awards.
The HESS Awards was organised by Ianmatsun Global Services, in collaboration with Hegemony Consulting, a research and consulting firm.
GNA