Mr. Joseph Abuabu Dadzie, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has emphasized the organization’s commitment to prioritizing mental health in the workplace.
This was in line with the theme of World Mental Health Day this year: “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.”
In his speech, Mr. Dadzie, the head of the GNPC, talked about how important mental health is in the upstream oil and gas industry, where there are a lot of pressures to meet productivity goals and keep safety standards high.
He said, mental health is just as important as physical safety for a business to succeed.
He asserts that mental health is a corporate responsibility as well as a personal concern.
Added Mr. Dadzie.
“At GNPC, we recognize that the well-being of our workforce directly impacts productivity, safety, and the overall success of the Corporation. In this industry, particularly for those working offshore, the pressures of isolation and being away from family can lead to mental health challenges that must be addressed.”
Mr. Dadzie mentioned the significant financial costs of neglecting mental health in the workplace, citing alarming statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Depression and anxiety account for an estimated 12 billion lost workdays annually, costing the global economy $1 trillion annually.
He urged energy companies to take proactive measures to manage mental health risks and boost employee happiness.
Meanwhile, the GNPC has already taken initiatives to improve mental health. The company has made more efforts to make counseling services more accessible, held seminars on stress management, and created an open culture where employees feel comfortable talking about their problems.
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In addition, the departments of Human Resources, Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE), and Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) at GNPC work together to address issues pertaining to physical and mental health.
“We are committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and recognizing it as a fundamental aspect of human well-being. We are dedication to creating a mentally healthy workplace, within GNPC and across Ghana’s energy sector,” Mr. Dadzie added.
Mr. Dadzie empowered all other organizations, especially those in the energy sector to take on comparative measures, highlighting that emotional health is an ongoing journey, and only by working together can companies foster environments where employees can reach their full potential.
