Prioritise wellbeing of employees – Panellists urge employers

HR Focus Africa Magazine in collaboration with Vodafone Ghana on Friday, October 9, 2020 held a semi-virtual international HR Focus Conference to discuss issues concerning the wellbeing of employees.

At the event, panel discussions were held and presentations made on the theme “Work and Wellness”.

Speaking on the theme, the Chief Executive (CE) of L’AINE Services, Dr. Mrs. Ellen Hagan encouraged employers to prioritise the wellbeing of their employees and subsequently develop policies in that regard.

“Within the confines of the working space, workers were expected to leave their worries and struggles outside, and deliver their best; but how can one really do that? The work environment should provide the tools and policies needed to navigate difficult circumstances and yet contribute positively to the business,” she noted.

Panel discussions

The Regional Vice President of HR at Newmont Africa, Awo Quaison-Sackey, speaking on the topic: “Implementing a World Class Wellness Program; Making Staff a Priority”, in a panel discussion, shared portions of the company’s wellness plan that spanned two years, encouraging other HR Practitioners to develop similar welness plan for their employees which will subsequently improve the growth of the company.

She was joined by other panellists including the National Head of HR at OLAM Ghana; Kenneth Antwi, CEO of Allianze Life; Gideon Ataraire, and CEO of Nova Wellness Centre; Dr. Naa Dordor.

In another panel discussion to discuss how to achieve the perfect work life balance by bringing wellness to corporate culture, the Managing Director of Nyaho Medical Centre, Dr. Elikem Tamaklo shared from his experience the importance to create a wellness culture in the corporate world, by incorporating wellness into every employee’s life and every organisation’s culture.

Dr. Tamaklo was joined by the HR Director of Vodafone Ghana, Hannah Ashiokai Akrong, Founder of the Work-Life Organisation Nigeria, Nkem Offonabo, and the People and Culture Director at Absa Bank Ghana, William Easmon.

Wellness month

According to Ms. Akrong Vodafone Ghana observed the month of October as the wellness month, noting that each year, events were organised and conversations held to promote good healthy living.

“Though we are largely working agilely this year, we still have an engagement plan to ensure our employees are enjoying the best mental and physical wellbeing there could be,” she said.

The Director of Human Resources at Volta River Authority (VRA), Dr. Irene Stella Agyenin-Boateng during the discussion called on organisations to do better with seeking the wellbeing of their employees.

“A forest can only remain a forest when all the trees are well taken care of and not cut. Similarly, the strength of every workforce is in the wellbeing of each individual,” she said.

Other companies present at the conference included L’AINE Services, Old Mutual, Apex Health Insurance, Zeepay, Fitket powered by Strategic plus and Amal Medical Laboratory.