Hot!
“We need concerted effort at addressing internal conflicts around chieftaincy, economic and other social issues”
The Director at the Governance, Justice and Peace Directorate of the National Catholic Secretariat, Very Rev Father Clement Kwasi Adjei has called for concerted effort at addressing internal conflicts around chieftaincy, economic and other social issues in the country in order not to serve as fertile grounds for violent extremism.
He noted that activities of terrorists and extremists in neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, Togo, among others, put Ghana at risk and was therefore imperative that stakeholders took immediate action to protect the nation through amicable and timely conflict resolution.
He stated that issues such as chieftaincy and tribal conflicts as well as illicit trafficking made communities weaker and less resilient and served as possible pull factors for Jihadists .
Rv. Fr. Adjei stated this on Tuesday at Wa in the Upper West Region during a regional dialogue session on trending conflict issues in northern Ghana under the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) by the Catholic Relieve Services (CRS).
The Dialogue which was on the theme: “Trending Conflicts in Ghana: Fertile Grounds for Violent Extremism; A call for Action” brought together traditional rulers, religious, leadership of market women, persons with disabilities, the clergy, among others.
The SPI which was at the instance of the Catholic Church aimed at promoting peace and building a cohesive society to ensure that individuals living in Ghana experienced greater levels of peace, social cohesion and resiliency.
Rv Fr Adjei said the five northern regions, namely, Upper West, Upper East, Northern, North East, Savannah and Northern Regions were at risk of violent extremism as they bordered the Sahel Regions and shared more than 500 kilometres of borders with Burkina Faso, a country under insurgency.
“As we speak, the Bawku District which borders Burkina Faso and Togo and the Sissala East District which borders Nazinga Forest in Burkina Faso have been experiencing increasing spillover of violent extremist related activities”, he noted with concern.
Economic disparities, he noted further, was also a recipe for conflict and needed to be addressed by governments by creating opportunities for all Ghanaians regardless their background or circumstances, in the areas of education, job creation and entrepreneurship.
“We need to strengthen social cohesion and promote tolerance and respect for diversity by building bridges between different communities, promote dialogue and understanding, unity and cooperation and do away with hate speech and incitement to”, he enumerated.
In a speech on his behalf, the Upper West Regional Minister Dr Hafiz Bin Salih said government had put in place necessary measures to ensure that citizens were better protected.
He encouraged the public to play their part through vigilance and reporting of suspicious people and activities to the appropriate authorities for action, and also charged religious leaders to ensure their sermons were devoid of messages that fueled agitations and dissentions.
Some participants expressed concern about the springing up of youth camps in the region with membership mostly made up of unemployed young persons who were ready to accept any task to earn an income.
They were of the view that taking security measures included providing permanent decent jobs for the youth without recourse to nepotism.
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
