Psychologist urges companies to prioritise staff wellbeing

A psychologist and corporate wellbeing trainer, Naa Okailey Okaitey, has called on Ghanaian companies to integrate staff wellbeing into their organisational culture, stressing that it is central to productivity and long-term business growth.

Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed 101.9FM, Ms Okaitey noted that many African workplaces have yet to fully embrace wellbeing as an essential aspect of human functioning.

“As Ghanaians, and in fact as black people, we have still not come to accept that our wellbeing is paramount to us. It is part of what keeps us sane and human,” she said.

The psychologist emphasised that both employees and high-level management, including CEOs and business owners, require strong wellbeing structures to thrive.

According to her, companies that overlook the mental and emotional health of their staff risk creating toxic work environments where stress, irritability and poor communication undermine efficiency.

“Stress makes people irritable. If you have a boss who is always angry and shouting at everyone, staff end up working on eggshells. You will not get the best out of your people,” she cautioned.

Ms Okaitey urged managers to see wellbeing initiatives not as a luxury but as an investment that drives performance.

She explained that when employees feel supported and valued, they are more motivated and productive, often going beyond their basic duties to sustain the company’s goals.

Ms Okaitey observed that in many organisations, staff only endure their jobs for survival rather than out of commitment to the company’s vision.

“Some employees drag themselves to work daily, not because they want to add value, but because they need to earn a living. That culture is not sustainable,” she stressed.

The psychologist also called for deliberate reforms in workplace structures, arguing that the pursuit of profit must be balanced with investment in employee wellbeing.

“If the systems or values of your company align with the quality of staff you want, you would definitely invest in them and you will not see it as a waste of money or time,” she added.