At the Ghana Grid Company Limited's (GRIDCo) 2023 Corporate Safety Durbar in Accra, Mr Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi, the Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the legal obligations of employers to ensure worker safety as mandated by the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651). This act requires employers to safeguard their workers against risks of personal injury or health damages while on duty.
According to Ghana News Agency, who conveyed this message in a speech read on his behalf, the Act specifically obliges employers to create a risk-free environment for their employees. The GRIDCo Corporate Safety Durbar, which marked the culmination of the company's annual safety awareness celebration, was themed 'A Safe and Healthy Working Environment is a Fundamental Principle and Right at Work.' The event included a series of activities, such as a health walk, breast cancer screening, awareness creation, and an interdepartmental safety quiz competition, aimed at promoting workplace safety.
Mr Essienyi also referenced the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.8, which aligns with the Labour Act's provisions. This goal mandates employers to safeguard the labour rights and ensure safe, secure working environments for all workers, including migrants and those in precarious jobs, by 2030. He affirmed GRIDCo's commitment to fulfilling these obligations by regularly inspecting work locations, providing necessary tools and equipment, and offering training aligned with the company's core values.
Further, GRIDCo's management pledged to allocate the required resources and implement safety inspection and audit report recommendations to boost productivity. Mr Essienyi urged the Safety Management Team to conduct frequent inspections to identify and mitigate potential hazards and ensure comprehensive training and compliance with safety manual provisions by all staff, including contractors.
Staff members were also encouraged to prioritize their health and well-being through regular medical check-ups. Mr Bernard Gyan, the Director of the Technical Services Department, in his welcome address, highlighted GRIDCo's improved safety culture, which has led to a year without any harm incidents. He stressed that safe work practices are a responsibility vital for ensuring employees' safety.
During the event, 18 safety coordinators received certificates for completing the second phase of training in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Awards were presented to several individuals for their exemplary contributions to workplace safety, including Mr Blankson Paa Kwesi Joe for Fire Fighting, Mr George Seidu Ayorna for Incident and Accident Reporting, Mr Patrick Addae Elioneah for Life Saving, and Mr Alexander Emmanuel Frimpong for House Keeping. Additionally, the Ghana National Fire Service was honored with the Safety Collaboration Award for its support during GRIDCo's 15 years of operation.