The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has unveiled the first cohort of 47 newly trained Labour Compliance Officers and Inspectors as part of efforts to ensure nationwide compliance with labour laws and workplace safety regulations.
The Labour Compliance Officers and Inspectors Task Force has been assigned a threefold mandate: enforcing labour legislation, offering technical advice and guidance, and identifying abuses or regulatory gaps not currently addressed by existing laws.
The officers will be deployed across all 16 regions of Ghana, ensuring comprehensive coverage and monitoring of businesses, factories, and workplaces.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Accra, Mr. Hamidu Adakurugu, Chief Director of the Ministry, said the move marks a turning point in Ghana’s efforts to foster a stronger culture of compliance and worker protection.
“This initiative is a cornerstone of the government’s Reset Ghana agenda—building a nation where every institution works, every law is enforced, and every worker is protected,” he said.
Mr. Adakurugu attributed the milestone to the leadership of the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, under whose direction the Special Taskforce on Workplace Inspections and Compliance was constituted.
He emphasized that the deployment is in direct response to the urgent need to fully implement the Factories, Offices and Shops Act (FOSA), Act 328, and the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
“These laws are not just documents—they are the backbone of decent work, safe environments, and investment confidence,” he stated. “As we reset our nation, we are resetting workplace safety standards and labour compliance across Ghana. The era of unsafe workplaces ends today.”
He stressed that compliance should not be viewed as punishment but as a partnership between the government, employers, workers, and investors.
“When workplaces follow the law, they create safer, more productive environments that attract both local and international investment. Compliance builds trust, and trust is the currency of development,” he noted.
However, Mr. Adakurugu warned that where cooperation fails, enforcement will take over.
“We will not negotiate worker safety,” he declared.
He said the newly recruited inspectors were selected based not only on their technical qualifications but also on their integrity and commitment to service.
“These inspectors are not enforcers of fear—they are ambassadors of reform and guardians of worker safety,” he added.
Their duties include ensuring compliance with legal standards under the Labour Act and FOSA, supporting workplaces to meet requirements, protecting vulnerable groups including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and documenting violations with swift follow-up actions.
“No factory, office, or shop in Ghana is beyond the scope of these inspectors,” he said. “Whether urban or rural, small or large, every business must meet our standards. Every worker deserves dignity, safety, and respect—and our inspectors will ensure that becomes a reality.”
He urged the inspectors to carry out their mandate with fairness and professionalism, assuring them of the full backing of the state.
“You have the authority to enter any workplace, shut down operations that endanger lives, and hold employers to the highest standards. Let no bribe, no bias, and no bureaucracy derail your noble mission,” Mr. Adakurugu charged.
“You are not just inspectors—you are custodians of national progress and worker dignity.”
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Lionel Anim Boateng, Project Manager of the Special Taskforce, reminded the new officers that the safety and security of Ghanaian workers now rest in their hands.
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