The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has launched a major regional intervention to improve workplace safety and strengthen compliance with national labour laws through the establishment of the Ashanti Regional Taskforce on Health and Safety Compliance.
Speaking at the launch on Saturday in Kumasi, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, affirmed government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the health, safety and dignity of Ghanaian workers.
He noted that every workplace accident carries “a human cost and a national cost,” and emphasized the urgent need for stronger monitoring mechanisms and full compliance with existing legislation such as the Labour Act (Act 651) and the Factories, Offices and Shops Act (Act 328).
Dr. Pelpuo said “By establishing this regional Taskforce, we are bringing part of the operational strength at the capital closer to the people, this means quicker response, stronger oversight, and clearer accountability.”
He outlined the core duties of the Taskforce, which includes supporting labour officers with inspections, strengthening district-level coordination, providing safety guidance to employers and workers, and ensuring that enforcement efforts are practical and sustainable.
He commended the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and local MMDCEs for their leadership and expressed appreciation to regulatory bodies, private sector actors and civil society partners for their support.
The minister called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to play an active role, describing their leadership and local expertise as essential to the effectiveness of the system and urged employers and workers to view workplace safety as a shared responsibility.
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD
