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The 6th Health, Environment, Safety, and Security (HESS) Awards, was held on Friday, June 28, 2024, continuing the tradition of celebrating businesses leading the way in environment, health, and safety initiatives. Under the theme ‘Thriving in a Changing World, Embracing Resilience and Agility in HESS’, the event recognised excellence and innovation, with Anglogold Ashanti and Trust Hospital emerging as standout winners.

Anglogold Ashanti took home eight awards, underscoring its commitment to environmental sustainability and workplace safety. The mining giant was honored with the 'Best Company in Environmental Management Practices' award for its sustainable mining efforts. 

Other accolades included Best Company in HESS Compliance, Reporting & Monitoring; Best Company in On-site Safety Awareness and Communication (Mining); HESS Company of the Year; Best Company in HESS Integration and Digitalization; HESS Team of the Year; Most Outstanding Contribution for Sustainable Development; and HESS Innovation Excellence Award.

Trust Hospital was recognised for its excellence in healthcare delivery and patient safety, winning the Best Company in Employee Health and Wellbeing Initiatives and the Patient Safety & Security Excellence awards. The hospital was also lauded for its Best Public Health Awareness Education Initiative, and its CEO, Dr. Juliana Ameh, received the HESS CEO of the Year award.

This year's winners also included Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd, GB Foods Ghana Ltd, Interplast Ltd, Sonotech Medical and Diagnostic Centre, and Wilmar Africa Ltd, among others.

Zhara Abdulai, speaking on behalf of Awarding Board Chairperson Professor Douglass Boateng, highlighted the relevance of this year's theme. "The HESS Awards are a testament to the tireless efforts of those who have dedicated themselves to creating a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world. Our awardees have demonstrated unwavering commitment, innovative thinking, and a passion for excellence in HESS management," she said.

"Their remarkable work inspires us to strive for excellence, push boundaries, and challenge the status quo. With determination, collaboration, and a shared vision, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges. Recognizing our awardees underscores the importance of HESS in the workplace, in our communities, and in our personal lives. HESS is not just a moral imperative but also a business imperative essential for long-term success and sustainability," she added.

Cephas Adjei Mensah, Director Research Statistics and Information Management at the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), speaking on behalf of the Minister, emphasised the importance of the awards. 

"The HESS Awards serve as a platform to recognize and promote best practices across various industries. The ministry recognises the critical role of strong health, environment, safety, and security practices within businesses and other organizations in ensuring sustainable development for Ghana. We are committed to supporting Ghanaian organisations in their endeavors to achieve excellence in these fields."

Martin Afram, Director for Planning and Programmes at the National Roads and Safety Authority, speaking on behalf of Acting Director General David Osafo Adonteng, stressed the need for resilience in a rapidly evolving world. "Today, we celebrate not only our ability to withstand the unpredictable but our capacity to evolve and thrive in adversity for growth and innovation. Resilience is about creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement," he said.

Isaac Adu-Gyamfi, the Events Director, praised the participants for their dedication and hard work. "The HESS Awards continue to honor those at the forefront of creating safer, healthier, and more sustainable environments. We are proud to recognize and celebrate these outstanding achievements, which set a high standard for others to follow."

Robert Emmanuel Kaye, the lead assessor, provided insight into the criteria and selection process for the awardees. He explained that the evaluation process is comprehensive and rigorous, involving multiple stages of assessment. "Our criteria focus on innovation, impact, and sustainability. We look at how organizations implement and integrate HESS practices into their operations, the measurable outcomes of these practices, and their commitment to continuous improvement. The selection process includes site visits, interviews, and thorough reviews of submitted documentation to ensure that the awardees truly represent the best in their respective fields," Kaye noted.

The event fostered networking, knowledge sharing, and inspiration for further advancements in health, environment, safety, and security. The HESS Awards continue to highlight the remarkable efforts of those committed to enhancing standards in these crucial areas.