Occupational Health Hazards and Safety of the Informal Sector in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area of Ghana

Abstract

In Ghana, the informal sector comprises over 70% of the labour force and contributes substantially to the poverty reduction objective of the country. Yet most of their activities are often considered hazardous and take place in unhealthy and unsafe environment. This study was conducted to systematically identify the various occupational hazards and risks faced among beauticians, Garage/mechanics, taxi Drivers and head Porters in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area of Ghana. The study finds that workers are exposed to a range of physical, ergonomic, chemical and psycho-social hazards which cause diseases. Yet nearly 62.5% of them have not registered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which can cushion them for paying high medical bills in cases of serious injuries. The paper consequently recommends that an Occupational Health and Safety Policy is formulated and intensive education through the mass media, undertaken to sensitize workers on their work environment and the level of risk exposure.

Keywords: Ghana, informal sector, occupational hazards, occupational safety