Ianmatsun Global Services Limited officially launched the maiden edition of the HESS Leadership Conference at the 7th edition of the prestigious Health, Environment, Safety, and Security (HESS) Awards.

The event was under the theme “Empowering a Safety-First Culture: Leadership, Transparency, and Accountability in Health.”

The launch marks a major milestone in Ghana’s journey toward entrenching a proactive and people-centered safety culture across industries.

According to the Event Coordinator at Ianmatsun Global, Isaac Adu-Gyamfi, the conference is not just an event, but a strategic move to ignite nationwide dialogue on embedding health and safety as a lifestyle rather than a compliance checkbox.

“We want people to start acting, not just talking. Safety must become part of our DNA, and that begins with inclusive dialogue between regulators, implementers, and the everyday workforce,” he stated.

He noted that beyond awards, the HESS platform aimed to recognize unsung heroes, those making an impact even when not nominated by their organizations.

The upcoming conference, scheduled for July 31, 2025, is designed to bring together industry leaders, regulators, and civil society to engage in candid discussions on challenges, best practices, and opportunities in the HESS space.

The ISO Coordinator at Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and a speaker at the conference, Dr. Frances Jemimah Anabia-Tia Manu, emphasised the need for a holistic approach.

“Every actor within Ghana’s environmental and safety ecosystem must take part. Not just to attend, but to go back and implement. Policy makers and professionals need to listen to each other so we can design policies that work on the ground, not just checklists to hang in offices.”

A Senior Manager for Health and Safety at AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi, Joe-Steve Annan, welcomed the launch, noting it presented an opportunity for capacity building beyond professionals.

“This is about continual improvement. It’s not a challenge; it’s a call to keep doing better. Everyone, not just professionals, will benefit from the knowledge shared.”

Representing the Chief Inspector of the Department of Factory Inspectorate, Emmanuel Sawyer lauded the initiative and called attention to the regulatory strides being made to improve workplace safety nationwide.

“We are moving from a compliance-only culture to one that truly values health and safety. The national OSH policy, upcoming legislation, and reforms are all aimed at making safety an everyday practice, not a one-off obligation,” he noted.

He further urged employers to prioritise emergency preparedness, lamenting that in many cases, workers were left confused during accidents due to a lack of training and protocols.

Head of Retail Banking at FirstBank Ghana, Mr Alan Quaye, whose institution won two awards for data security and safety, underscored the business case for safety.

“It’s not just about our branches; it’s about protecting customer data, employee well-being, and all digital platforms we use. The HESS Leadership Conference is crucial for industry players to learn and align with evolving responsibilities.”

In a compelling keynote, the CEO of the Health Facilities Regulatory Authority (HeFRA), Dr. Winfred Korletey Baah, declared that safety was not a checkbox but a human right. He emphasized the role of leadership in shaping safety-first institutions.

“Leadership in safety must be visible, actionable, and inclusive. From the boardroom to the cleaner, every voice matters. We at HeFRA are introducing systems like digital reporting and whistleblower channels to enforce accountability.”

He shared a powerful anecdote of how a cleaner unknowingly disrupted life-saving equipment due to a lack of training, underscoring why safety education must reach all levels of an organization.

Board Chairman of the HESS Award Committee, Jonathan Amoako-Baah, wrapped up the event with a powerful message.

“We are not just handing out plaques. We are holding up a mirror to the values we claim to uphold. Safety is not the absence of incidents; it is the presence of vigilance. Let’s stop celebrating safety week once a year and start living it daily.”

He challenged stakeholders, from CEOs to frontline workers, to embrace transparency, accountability, and systems that anticipate risks rather than react to them.

With the launch of the HESS Leadership Conference, Ghana takes a significant step toward institutionalising a safety-first mindset that goes beyond regulatory compliance to become an integral part of national development. As stakeholders prepare to convene in July, the conversation shifts from awards to action, from recognition to responsibility.

"The message is clear: Safety is no longer a duty for the few. It is a value for all," he reiterated.

The 7th edition of the HESS Awards, which took place at the Movenpick Hotel, rewarded and recognised 37 institutions, including individuals championing safety and security at their workplaces in the country.