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President Akufo-Addo Calls For Stronger China-Africa Cooperation in Industrialization And Green Development
At the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) High-Level Meeting in Beijing on September 5, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo highlighted the critical need for China-Africa collaboration in industrialization, agricultural modernization, and green development.
Addressing the summit co-chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that these three pillars are vital for Africa’s modernization and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
President Akufo-Addo noted that Africa is at a pivotal moment, with rapid technological and economic shifts, as well as pressing environmental challenges.
He stressed that industrialization is a key driver of economic growth, diversification, and job creation, and cited Ghana’s own “One-District-One-Factory” (1D1F) initiative as an example of how targeted industrial policies can transform economies. Through 1D1F, Ghana has established 321 factories, creating 170,000 jobs and attracting both domestic and foreign investors.
The President also focused on agricultural modernization, highlighting Ghana’s “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme. This initiative has introduced modern farming techniques and machinery, boosting productivity and improving the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
On green development, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that sustainable development is no longer a choice but a necessity. He outlined Ghana’s efforts to promote renewable energy, reduce deforestation, and manage waste sustainably. The country’s development policies integrate environmental considerations to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
The President praised China’s rapid industrialization, agricultural transformation, and commitment to green development, citing them as valuable lessons for Ghana and Africa. He also underscored the importance of the Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027), which aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s SDGs, in fostering further cooperation.
President Akufo-Addo concluded by reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to industrialization, agricultural modernization, and green development. He called for deeper partnerships with China and other nations to build a future of shared prosperity and sustainability for all.
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 Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
