A new guide aimed at safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of workers in the horticulture sector has been launched with a call on stakeholders to prioritise occupational safety as a cornerstone of sustainable growth in the industry.
The Employers’ Guide on Occupational Safety and Health in the Horticultural Sector, developed with funding support from the Dutch Embassy, is a document which provides a framework for employers to promote fair trade practices and ensure that the country’s horticultural exports meet international standards—free from child labour, excessive chemical use and human rights violations.
Untapped diamond
Speaking at the launch in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA), Alex Frimpong, described the horticultural sector as an untapped diamond with the potential to generate significant revenue for the country if properly harnessed.
He observed that while the country continued to rely heavily on gold, cocoa, and timber, countries in East Africa earned millions of dollars annually from horticulture.
“Ghana has immense potential in horticulture.
However, we must protect the men and women who drive this sector to benefit fully.
Their safety, health and welfare cannot be compromised,” Mr Frimpong stressed.
He explained that the bottom-up approach used in developing the guide ensured it reflected practical realities, making it both feasible and results-oriented.
“Employees themselves must own occupational safety and health.
They are the direct beneficiaries and bear the consequences if infractions occur.
Management must, therefore, communicate, educate and sensitise workers to this guide to make it part of daily practice,” he said.
Mr Frimpong further underscored the economic benefits of strengthening the horticultural industry, noting that improved practices could boost household incomes in small farming communities while contributing to national revenue through increased exports.
He commended unions, employers and industry players for their collaboration in developing the guide and urged all stakeholders to ensure its effective implementation.
The Chief Inspector of Factories at the Department of Factories Inspectorate, Dr George Gershon, said the guide represented the collaboration needed to foster a workplace safety culture.
“In many organisations, safety committees do not even exist.
No strong safety culture can be developed without such platforms to discuss health and safety issues.
This initiative is, therefore, an example worth replicating across all workplaces in Ghana,” he said.
Dr Gershon noted that the country did not yet have a comprehensive national safety policy, stressing the need for every organisation to develop its own internal policy to provide direction for occupational safety and health.
He pledged the department’s commitment to effectively supporting employers and workers using the guide.
Highlighting risks in the horticultural sector, Dr Gershon warned that the dangers of chemicals had irreversible health effects.
He welcomed drafting a new bill that would extend occupational safety coverage to agriculture and the informal sector, describing it as a critical step toward a comprehensive national framework.
