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Masqueraders are responsible members of society – Chief Masquerader speaks
•Masqueraders are people from diverse backgrounds
Has it ever crossed your mind that your pastor, doctor, lecturer, that senior officer in any of the security services or the famous food vendor in your neigh bourhood could be the face behind a masquerade you have been seeing at a programme?
Be informed that masqueraders known locally as “kaakamotobi”, who dress in fancy-clothes dancing at festivals and displaying in vari ous forms are responsible members of society.
Typically, they wear masks, which make them fearful but this adds a level of excitement to the festival. During Christmas and New Year celebrations or other events, it is a handful of them who wear masks with most of them exposing their faces.
In an interview with The Spectator, the President of the Masquerades Association in Tema , Mr. Justice Gameli explained that the leadership of the various groups had taken a decision not to disguise themselves again so that the public would easily identify them.
“This is because, many people think Masqueraders are vagabonds but this is not true. We have very responsible members in the secu rity services, clergy, health sector, business and academia among others and I am sure if people see and identify them they would have a change of mind about masquer ades,” he said.
According to him, the associ ation had over 15, 000 members and it was opened to anybody who is ready to abide by the rules and regulations. He emphasised that even disability was not an excuse to deny a person membership into the association.
Mr. Gameli said many of their members were the youth who had been educated to stay away from all unacceptable social behaviours and crimes such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancy among others.
He said as part of the programme for the year, “they socialise and organise mentorship programme for the youth to discover their talents to promote the association and develop their communities and the nation as a whole”.
Recounting their major challenges he mentioned that costuming took a lot of their time and funds to sup port the association. He, therefore, called on corporate institutions to come to their aid with funding and to promote their businesses with the association’s branded costumes.
Mr Gameli added that with assistance from various institutions, it would help the association to en gage in corporate social responsibil ities to develop their communities and the youth.
He commended the Ghana Tourism Development Company for ex tending a hand to them to promote the culture of masquerade which had gained roots in some of the regions in the country.
He promised that the association would work hard to ensure that the festival stays to make Tema and its environs an attractive place to be during Christmas and the New Year and even beyond to make the area a preferred tourism destination.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
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
