TEMA, Ghana, 17th October: The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has called on the relevant authorities responsible for industrial health and safety to intensify workplace inspections to protect workers from accidents and ensure adequate compensation for those who suffer injuries on the job.
He stressed the need for the authorities to regularly monitor factories and other workplaces to ensure employers comply with safety standards and take proper care of workers who sustain injuries in the line of duty.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu programme on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Mr Koomson expressed concern about the working conditions of some employees within Ghana’s Free Zones enclaves.
He cited the case of a worker identified as Gideon Atakpe, who reportedly lost his right arm and all five fingers while working at a company within the enclave.
According to Mr Koomson, the compensation allegedly paid to the worker was inadequate considering the severity of his injuries.
Mr Koomson disclosed that efforts were made to get Mr Atakpe an opportunity to meet officials during President John Dramani Mahama’s tour of the industrial area, with the hope that he could raise his concerns with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, labour officials or the Minister responsible for Trade.
However, he alleged that the worker was not allowed to get close enough to meet the relevant officials.
The GFL Secretary-General acknowledged the importance of President Mahama’s efforts to create an enabling environment for industries to operate and generate employment.
However, he urged the authorities responsible for industrial health and safety to complement these efforts by ensuring that workers are protected from preventable workplace accidents.
He cautioned against prioritising job creation at the expense of workers’ lives and physical well-being, arguing that employment should not leave citizens permanently disabled while companies continue to make profits.
“Yes, Ghanaians need work to do, but we shouldn’t be working in places that will leave some citizens deformed or dead while somebody is making profits to be taken to his or her country,” he said.
Mr Koomson further indicated that the GFL would pursue the matter to ensure that Mr Atakpe receives the necessary attention and support.
He called on the relevant industrial health and safety authorities under the Ministry of Employment to intervene in cases where workers sustain serious injuries at factories but are not adequately cared for by their employers.
According to him, Mr Atakpe was reportedly paid approximately GH¢80,000 in compensation, an amount he considers insufficient given the extent of the worker’s injuries.
He explained that the worker had lost his entire right arm leaving him with a permanent physical impairment.
Mr Koomson also revealed that Mr Atakpe had requested a prosthetic hand to help him cope with the effects of the injury, but his appeal had allegedly not received the necessary response.
He therefore urged the relevant authorities to investigate the matter, strengthen workplace safety monitoring and ensure that employers fulfil their responsibilities towards workers who suffer injuries in the course of their employment.
