47 New labor inspectors deployed nationwide to enforce workplace safety
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
The Ministry of Labor, Jobs and Employment has deployed 47 newly trained Compliance Officers and Inspectors across all 16 regions of Ghana to strengthen the enforcement of labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
The officers are part of a newly established Labor Compliance Task Force, which has been mandated to enforce labor laws, provide technical guidance, and identify gaps or abuses in existing legislation.
At the unveiling ceremony in Accra, Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Hamidu Adakurugu, described the initiative as a major step in promoting a culture of workplace safety and legal compliance across the country.
“This initiative marks a cornerstone of the government’s broader agenda to reset Ghana—where every institution functions effectively, every law is upheld, and every worker is protected,” Mr. Adakurugu stated.
He credited the progress to the leadership of the Minister for Labor, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, noting that it was under his vision that the Special Task Force on Workplace Inspections and Compliance was created.
Mr. Adakurugu said the Task Force will strengthen enforcement of the Factories, Offices and Shops Act (Act 328) and the Labor Act, 2003 (Act 651), which he described as the foundation for decent work, safe environments, and sustained investor confidence.
He stressed that compliance should be viewed as a shared responsibility, not a form of punishment.
“When workplaces follow the law, they become safer, more productive, and more attractive to both local and international investors. Compliance builds trust, and trust is the currency of development,” he said.
He added, however, that where cooperation fails, enforcement will take precedence.
Mr. Adakurugu noted that the inspectors were selected based on their technical expertise, integrity, and commitment to public service.
“These inspectors are not enforcers of fear; they are ambassadors of reform and guardians of worker safety,” he emphasized.
He urged the new officers to carry out their duties with professionalism and fairness.
“You have the full authority of the state to enter any workplace, shut down operations that threaten worker safety, hold employers accountable, and uphold every worker’s right to a safe environment,” he added.
