Ghana’s labour inspectors lead the charge for safer workplaces and child labour eradication

Kumasi - In a pivotal effort to safeguard workers and eradicate child labour, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment (MLJE) and other key stakeholders, has strengthened the capacity of 20 labour inspectors in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). This initiative is part of the ILO’s ACCEL Africa project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The five-day capacity-building workshop held in Kumasi provided inspectors from diverse government units with essential technical skills and knowledge to promote and enforce OSH standards in the cocoa and artisanal gold mining sectors. This comes at a critical time as these industries face significant challenges linked to unsafe working conditions and the persistence of child labour.

Participants, guided by facilitators Bismark Quartey (National Project Coordinator for ACCEL Africa) and Emily Esenam Akumah (External Collaborator on OSH), engaged in dynamic sessions and hands-on field visits. They explored OSH practices directly on cocoa farms and interacted with local farmers, gaining a practical understanding of workplace safety issues and how these intersect with child labour.

Reflecting on the workshop, Francis Bibuksi, Assistant Chief Labour Officer, expressed optimism: “The depth of knowledge shared empowers us to better supervise and ensure OSH compliance, particularly in the mining and cocoa sectors. This knowledge is critical for addressing gaps and improving conditions on the ground.”

The workshop also fostered inclusive discussions that led to the development of actionable strategies to tackle OSH gaps and eliminate child labour. Key outcomes include plans for collaborative OSH inspection visits and the formulation of proactive safety measures for workplaces.

Speaking on behalf of the Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Vanessa Phala, Ph.D., Bismark Quartey applauded the participants’ commitment, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration and innovative solutions to address OSH challenges. He reaffirmed the ILO’s dedication to supporting Ghana with technical assistance in establishing a robust national OSH framework.

As labour inspectors gear up to implement their newly acquired skills, this milestone marks a significant step towards creating safer, more inclusive work environments in Ghana’s cocoa and gold mining supply chains—a crucial stride in the ongoing fight against child labour.