Labour Ministry partners private firm to advance Occupational Safety and Health reforms

The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IanMatSun Global Services, organisers of the HESS Awards and HESS Leadership Conference, to strengthen Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) reforms in Ghana.

The partnership will institutionalise and expand the HESS Awards Scheme, which recognises organisations and individuals demonstrating excellence in workplace safety, health, environment, and sustainability practices across industries. The Awards aim to promote compliance with OSH standards and encourage innovation, accountability, and best practices.

Under the MOU, the Ministry and IanMatSun Global Services will:

• Promote the development and implementation of a National OSH Policy
• Advocate for the passage of an OSH Bill
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and technical engagements
• Strengthen data systems and accountability mechanisms in workplace safety
• Collaborate on national and international platforms to advance OSH standards
• Support the organisation and growth of the HESS Awards as a national recognition platform

The MOU also covers collaboration on the 2nd HESS Leadership Conference, scheduled for 22–23 July 2026 in Accra, which will provide policy direction, technical insights, and stakeholder consensus for implementing OSH reforms. The conference will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, and labour stakeholders.

Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, said the initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to translating the National OSH Profile, launched in October 2025, into policies, legislation, and institutional reforms.

Isaac Adu-Gyamfi, Managing Director of IanMatSun Global Services, stated that the HESS Awards will become a flagship national event, providing benchmarking for organisations against national and international safety standards and positioning Ghana as a leader in workplace safety in West Africa.

The initiative is intended to accelerate the implementation of OSH recommendations, encourage compliance, and foster a culture of safety and accountability across all sectors in Ghana.