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Hayford Siaw Appointed Member of International Advisory Board of Book Aid International
Hayford Siaw
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Library Authority has been appointed as a member of the International Advisory Board of Book Aid International.
Book Aid International, founded in 1954 is an international charity with headquarters in London. The charity provides books and supports libraries around the world. Every year, the charity sends books to public and community libraries as well as libraries in prisons, refugee camps, hospitals, schools, and universities.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was the charity’s patron from 1966 until his death in April 2021. Her Majesty The Queen Consort, formerly Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has since May 2022 become the Patron of the charity. The Board is chaired by The Rt Hon. Lord Boateng, the first UK’s Black Cabinet Minister.
Hayford Siaw was appointed by H E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo- President of the Republic of Ghana in December 2017 as Chief Executive of GhLA. Prior to his appointment into public service, he founded Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa that successfully worked with development partners from around the world setting up projects in Education, Health, and Youth Development. Hayford has been supported on various initiatives by UN Agencies, European Union, Global Fund for Children(USA), Reach for Change, Sweden, and many others. He is also the founder of Damang Community School and the award-winning Street Library Project.
At GhLA, he has led unparalleled institutional growth by expanding the network of libraries from 61 to 114 and books on shelves from 349,941 to 1,275,894. In 2021, GhLA was declared Library of the Year by the London International Book Fair Excellence Award. The United Nations Public Service Awards Programme also awarded GhLA for its innovation and inclusive approach to promoting technology education in Ghana.
Hayford Siaw currently also serves as a trustee of Central Aid, the charity arm of International Central Gospel Church (ICGC). He is a 92Y Ford Motors Fellow and a Change Leader of Reach for Change. In 2018, Hayford was awarded as the 15th Commonwealth Points of Light by Queen Elizabeth II. Hayford has received education and training from the University of Ghana Business School, Sikkim Manipal University, Oxford University, and Columbia University. -GNA
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
