News
IFMA-Ghana calls for professionalism in public facility management
Members of the Ghana Chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) have asked government to enforce legislations regarding the design and use of environmentally friendly materials in the construction of public buildings.
It wants government to adopt Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to ensure long term maintenance and sustainability of public facilities.
Ahead of the celebration of World Facility Management Day on May 11, 2022, the association emphasised the need for professionalism in the management of public spaces.
World Facility Management Day is to celebrate the successes of professional facility managers and help address challenges that persist in the sector.
Mr. Sampson Opare-Agyemang, President of the Ghana Chapter of IFMA, speaking at the launch of the celebrations on Wednesday, said outsourcing facility management to professional organisations “is the best practice.”
Facility Management, he explained, involved “building management from the design stage to enhance its overall life cycle,” hence the need for the government to establish a facility management department or agency for proper “infrastructure management and regulation” in the country.”
“Facility management influences the health, safety, productivity and well-being of people who “utilise the built environment.
“The challenge today in our built environment is not just lack of maintenance culture rather lack of understanding of the value of facility management by governments, business owners and financial institutions,” he noted.
Mr. Opare-Agyemang said the Ghana Chapter of IFMA would focus on “the earth, health and well-being in a post-COVID hybrid working environment” in the country as it joined the worldwide celebrations in a few weeks.
Activities for the celebrations in Ghana are Round table discussions on the strategic role of facility management as well as a tour of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST) among others.
The International Facility Management Association, founded in 1980, is the recognised association of facility management professionals which has about 24,000 members in over 106 countries.
The Ghana Chapter of IFMA was approved in August 2009 and currently has over 200 professional members. The Association recently entered a partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to introduce a Master of Science (MSc) programme in Facility Management.
Mr. Opare-Agyemang said the association intended to partner other institutions to help train more facility managers.
By Ernest Nutsugah
News
‘Echoes of the Landfill’ exhibition underway to create awareness on sanitation
The Museum of Science and Technology (MST) last Thursday launched an arts exhibition in Accra to mark World Environment Day.
The exhibition themed; “Echoes of the Landfill,” displayed artistic paintings made from plastic waste materials serving as a creative protest and public education tool to raise awareness.
The Echoes of the Landfill exhibition will remain open to the public until July 5, with free admission. Schools, art enthusiasts, and the general public are encouraged to visit and engage with the artistic call for environmental awareness and action.
The exhibition, a joint effort between MST, ArtfullyYours, and Bee Arthur Creative Productions, brought together six environmentally conscious Ghanaian artists, including Obed Addo, Beatrice Bee Arthur, Essilfie Banton, Andrea Ghia, and Salim.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Abla Dzifa Gomashie, highlighted the importance of recycling plastic waste or using it to create beautiful and artistic things, such as paintings.
She emphasised the vital role recycling and creative reuse of plastic waste play in building a more sustainable future.
She said by turning waste into art, we not only clean our surroundings but also give voice to powerful environmental messages.
The Head of MST, Mrs Akosua Buckman, stated that the museum launched the initiative to raise environmental awareness.
“The museum’s mandate is to transfer scientific knowledge and appropriate technology to the public through exhibitions, and this exhibition is a testament to that commitment,” she asserted.
According to Ms Arthur, the paintings feature installations made from salvaged materials, including fishing nets and plastic waste.
By Cecilia Yada Lagba
News
Corporate executives attend ‘2nd Stress Knock-Out Workshop’
Manager from reputable firms across the Ashanti and Bono/ Ahafo regions have attended the second edition of the Stress Knock-Out! Workshop, a one-day stress-management conference designed to equip busy executives with practical coping tools.
Hosted by Okoriwaa.com, an organisational and people-development partner and facilitated by learning-and-development expert, Ms Augustina O. Oti-Twumasi, the workshop combined expert instruction, group activities and hands-on relaxation techniques.
The inaugural event was held in March 2025 at Aburi in the Eastern Region.
In her opening remarks, Ms Oti-Twumasi reminded attendees that “although stress is an unavoidable part of life, its long-term harmful effects can be managed or even avoided.”
She guided participants through four interactive modules including Understanding Stress, Essential Skills for Effective Stress Management, Relief Strategies, Techniques and Practices and Action Planning and Resource Toolkit.
She engaged participants in group discussions to brainstorm and exchange strategies, fostering peer support and networking.
The art-therapy segment drew particular praise, with participants selecting it as a key addition to their personal stress-relief toolkit.
Giving a background, she said stress had become a significant concern for employees and businesses globally with it related challenges projected to cost the world economy over US$1 trillion a year in lost productivity.
Headspace’s Workforce State of Mind Report (2024) reveals that around 86 per cent of workers experience moderate to extreme stress, and 77 per cent say it negatively impacts their physical health. High stress levels can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, rising medical costs and, in some cases, burnout. Chronic stress undermines cognitive function, diminishes creativity and raises the risk of staff turnover.
Okoriwaa.com plans to extend the Stress Knock-Out! series to Ghana’s major business hubs.
“Our mission is to make stress management an integral part of employee development and wellness programmes nationwide,” said Ms Oti-Twumasi.
