In a powerful address that bridged the gap between mental health and industrial safety, Dr Robert Amesiya, the Acting Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) for Greater Accra, has called on corporate Ghana to prioritise the psychological well-being of employees as a critical safety metric.
Speaking at the maiden Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Quality (HSSEQ) Week launched by GOIL PLC at the GOBitumen Terminal in Tema, Dr Amesiya delivered a clear message to the petroleum downstream sector, insisting physical safety protocols are insufficient if the workforce is struggling internally.
Addressing senior management, staff, and industry stakeholders, Dr Amesiya challenged the traditional focus on hard hats and safety harnesses. Under the theme “Promoting a Positive Psychosocial Working Environment,” he emphasised that mental health must be moved from a “background concern” to a “core operational issue.”
“You cannot have a genuinely safe workplace if your people are psychologically unsafe,” Dr Amesiya stated firmly. “The two are inseparable.”
His remarks highlight a growing global recognition that stress, anxiety, and a lack of psychological safety can lead to lapses in judgment, reduced alertness, and increased workplace accidents—particularly in high-stakes environments like the petroleum sector.
Beyond Physical Systems
The Regional Health Director urged GOIL PLC and other corporate entities to conduct an honest audit of their organisational cultures. He prompted leaders to look beyond physical infrastructure and ask critical questions.
The Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate (GARHD) is not merely observing from the sidelines. Dr Amesiya used the platform to signal the Directorate’s readiness to collaborate with the private sector.
He offered the Directorate’s expertise to assist organisations in developing robust workplace wellness initiatives, mental health first aid training, and comprehensive occupational health programs.
As GOIL PLC kicks off its HSSEQ Week, the message from the Regional Health Directorate serves as a vital reminder: the strongest safety link in any organisation is a healthy, supported, and psychologically secure mind.
