Accra – The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) to strengthen occupational health and safety standards and promote professional training across Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry.
The agreement, signed in Accra, brings together the Ministry the Department of Factory Inspectorate (DFI), the Occupational Health and Safety Taskforce and GHATOF to improve workplace safety, enhance compliance with labour standards and build capacity within the tourism sector.
Delivering a welcome address, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Hamidu Adakurugu, described the partnership as an important step toward ensuring that the tourism industry continues to grow while safeguarding the welfare of workers.
Chairman of the Occupational Health and Safety Taskforce, Dr. Daniel Ayikwei, said the MoU represents a shared commitment to strengthening workplace safety standards in one of Ghana’s most dynamic sectors. He stated that the tourism industry remains a major driver of economic growth and job creation, making it essential to prioritise the health and safety of workers, visitors and other stakeholders.
“Today’s signing represents more than a formal agreement. It is a commitment to promoting best practices, strengthening compliance with occupational health and safety standards and building the capacity of workers and businesses in the tourism sector,” he stated.
Dr. Ayikwei added that the partnership would promote information sharing, training initiatives and coordinated monitoring to ensure tourism establishments maintain safe and healthy working environments.
Head of the Department of Factory Inspectorate, Mr. Joe Sam Agana, noted that the department’s mandate includes ensuring that workers across the country operate in safe environments. He explained that collaboration with the tourism industry is critical given the large number of people employed within the sector. He indicated that expanding awareness and enforcement of occupational health and safety standards at the grassroots level would significantly reduce workplace accidents and improve working conditions across the industry.
President of the Ghana Tourism Federation, Mr. Seth Ocran, described the MoU as a significant milestone for the private tourism sector. He noted that GHATOF represents 22 trade associations and more than 10,000 businesses, including hotels, tour operators, car rentals and other tourism-related enterprises. Mr. Ocran said the partnership would support nationwide professional training and certification programmes aimed at raising standards across tourism establishments in the country.
“We believe strongly in collaboration with government agencies to enhance our operations. This MoU will help ensure that minimum professional standards are maintained across the tourism industry in Ghana,” he said.
The MoU is expected to facilitate joint training programmes, safety compliance monitoring and stronger collaboration between government regulators and tourism industry operators.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Public Affairs Unit, MLJE
