By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Bolgatanga, May 05, GNA – Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has inaugurated a Regional Task Force on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the Upper East Region to strengthen compliance and safeguard the well-being of workers.
The inauguration, held in Bolgatanga, forms part of the government’s broader efforts to build a modern, preventive, and data-driven occupational safety and health system across the country.
The Regional Task Force is expected to enhance inspections, improve compliance, and contribute to reducing workplace-related incidents across the Upper East Region.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Pelpou said the initiative marked a decisive step towards ensuring safe, healthy, and dignified working conditions for workers in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
“Workplace safety is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a moral obligation and a cornerstone of national development,” he said.
He explained that the establishment of the task force was informed by findings from the 2025 National Occupational Safety and Health Annual Report, which highlighted both progress and persistent challenges in enforcing safety standards nationwide.
The Minister noted that between June and December 2025, the National Task Force registered 2,409 entities, including factories, shops, and offices, and achieved a 100 per cent administrative resolution rate for escalated issues.
He added that the exercise also generated over GH¢1.3 billion in revenue, reflecting growing awareness among businesses that safety compliance was essential for productivity.
Dr Pelpou, however, acknowledged challenges such as delays in financial releases, inadequate logistics, limited staffing, and a lack of digital tools, which had affected operations.
He assured that the government was implementing measures to address the constraints through improved funding, digital transformation, and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
He charged members of the Regional Task Force to ensure effective enforcement of safety regulations across all communities in the region.
“You are expected to reach every nook and cranny of this region to ensure that compliance reaches the highest level,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that the task force would work closely with stakeholders, including employers, workers, regulatory bodies, traditional authorities, and local government institutions, to promote a culture of prevention.
He stressed that failure to enforce safety standards, especially in cases resulting in workplace injuries, would be unacceptable.
Dr Pelpou said the formation of the task force was part of ongoing reforms, including the development of a National Occupational Safety and Health profile and a proposed Occupational Safety and Health Bill to establish a National Occupational Health Agency.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that all organisations complied with safety regulations, noting that “safety first, compliance always” would be the guiding principle of the task force.
On his part, Mr Akamugri Donatus Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, said the initiative would strengthen regulatory enforcement and promote safe and sustainable development in the region.
He urged members of the task force to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and fairness in the discharge of their duties, while also engaging stakeholders through education and awareness creation.
The Regional Minister called on employers and business owners to cooperate fully with the task force, stressing that compliance with occupational safety and health regulations was essential to protect lives and sustain productivity.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]