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Risking for nothing: Private security guards paid GH¢100 as monthly salary?
● Some members of the Upper West Regional Youth Parliament
Private security guards (watchmen) in the Upper West Region are said to be underpaid as they received between GH₵100 and GH₵399.00 as their monthly salary.
This was among a number of findings of a study that was launched into the activities of private security operatives in the Upper West Region following the recent murder and disappearance of private security guards in the Wa Municipality of the region.
The research which was conducted by the Upper West Youth Parliament titled “Assessing Private Security Accountability in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region” involved 50 respondents which included private security guards, staff of private security companies and owners of facilities that engaged the services of the security guards.
For a job that was of a high risk, the study revealed that persons who were engaged in the field were mostly not given any training or logistics to better protect themselves, making it riskier than was expected.
Presenting the findings to the media at a meeting at Wa, the Speaker of the Youth Parliament, Mr James Baba Anabiga expressed concern over the salary that was paid to persons engaged in the service and said it was nothing to write home about considering the risk involved.
“These are mostly married men with children who do not even live around their places of work, they have to ride several kilometres to get to their workplaces only to take such meagre amount at the end of the month”, he lamented.
He explained that among the group, older men who were engaged as private security guards for schools were the least paid as they did not have any job contract to even show how much they received.
“Many of the security guards are old men and some do not take even up to GH₵200.00 a month yet have to stay at their workplaces which are mostly in isolated places through the night without any logistics to protect them,” he said.
He revealed that those who were engaged through private security companies received less salaries even though their companies were paid above GH₵600.00.
The study, he said, uncovered that young men rejected the job for the old men to do due to the meagre salaries they were paid.
The Youth Parliament further suggested that the aged watchmen be withdrawn from such job and rolled onto the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
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
