In Conjunction with the 8th HESS Awards
HESS Leadership Conference 2026 - 2ND ANNUAL EDITION
“Building Leadership That Protects Lives, Preserves the Environment and Secures the Future”
MÖVENPICK AMBASSADOR HOTEL, ACCRA
Date: 29th - 30th September 2026
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: 14TH AUGUST, 2026
About the HESS Leadership Conference
Launched in 2025 as a groundbreaking addition to the HESS Awards platform, the HESS Leadership Conference (HLC) has rapidly established itself as the premier education and networking event for HESS, EHS, HSE, HSEQ, and HSSE professionals in Ghana.
🎯 The 2nd edition of the HLC takes place in conjunction with the 8th HESS Awards, bringing together industry leaders, safety professionals, policymakers, academics, and innovators for a full day of insight, debate, and practical learning.
The conference theme — “Building Leadership that Protects Lives, Preserves the Environment and Secures the Future” — reflects the maturation of Ghana's HESS conversation: moving from foundational awareness to strategic leadership integration and organisational resilience.
The HESS Leadership Conference serves as a strategic platform for collaboration, professional development, and industry transformation — equipping organisations and leaders with practical solutions to strengthen workplace safety, environmental stewardship, operational resilience, and sustainable business performance.
2026 THEME
“Building Leadership that Protects Lives, Preserves the Environment and Secures the Future”
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- HESS, HSE, EHS, HSEQ, and HSSE professionals at all levels
- CEOs, MDs, and C-suite executives committed to HESS leadership
- Government regulators and policymakers
- HR and people operations leaders
- Academics and researchers in occupational health and safety
- NGO and civil society representatives working in HESS-related areas
- Insurance and risk management professionals
HESS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2026
Call for Speakers
The HESS Leadership Conference 2026 is now accepting speaker proposals. We are looking for practitioners, innovators, and leaders with real-world experience in managing and advancing HESS systems in their organisations.
We give priority to active HESS professionals at companies and organisations. Consultant or vendor submissions are only considered when paired with a co-presenter who is an active safety professional. Panel discussion proposals involving two or more speakers are also welcome.
🎯 We are especially seeking speakers from:
- Construction & Engineering
- Energy & Oil and Gas
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
- Manufacturing & Food & Beverage
- Financial Services & Banking
- Education & Public Sector
- Transportation & Logistics
📌 Topic areas of interest:
- Zero-Harm Culture & Safety Leadership
- Safety Leadership Styles
- Process Safety in High-Risk Industries
- ESG, Corporate Responsibility & Safety
- Environmental Compliance & Climate Resilience
- Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work
- Emergency Resilience and Climate Adaptation
HESS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
2026 Programme Overview
Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra · Two-day high-impact summit combining leadership, policy, technical workshops and the Accra Declaration.
◎ DAY ONE · 29 SEPTEMBER 2026
| TIME | FORMAT | SESSION / ACTIVITY |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 - 08:10 | REGISTRATION | Delegate Registration & Welcome Pack CollectionConference lanyards, programme booklets and souvenirs. Exhibition Zone opens for early exploration. |
| 08:10 - 08:20 | PRE-PLENARY SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT | Pre-session safety briefingConference HSE Advisor delivers briefing – Emergency Exits, Muster Points, Fire Procedures, Washroom and First Aid Locations. |
| 08:20 - 08:30 | OPENING CEREMONY | OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONYWelcome address by the Conference Chair. National Anthem. Remarks by the HESS Leadership Conference - Nana Adu-Gyamfi |
| 08:30 - 09:30 | ADDRESS & REMARKS | Official Opening & Goodwill Messages
1. Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment – Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo 2. ILO Ghana - Mr Enoch Cudjoe 3. Institute of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability (ICRS) Ghana – Dr. Akwasi Adom-Dankwa |
| 09:30 - 09:45 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS | KEYNOTE I: What Ghana's Own Profile Found and What It RecommendsThe National OSH Profile presented by the man who wrote it. What Ghana's fragmentation looks like from the inside. What the Profile's own evidence demands in response. This is not HESS's argument, it is Ghana's government's own document. Dr. S. T. Odonkor - Lead Consultant, Ghana National OSH Profile |
| 09:45 - 10:40 | PANEL DISCUSSION | MINISTERIAL AND REGULATORY RESPONSEThe panel chair asks five specific questions: 1. Has the National OSH Policy been drafted; when will it be published? 2. When will the OSH Bill be tabled? 3. What has the Special OSH Task Force found? 4. Has any ministry begun designing a Ghana OSH Authority? PANELLISTS: Rep - Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment; Rep - Environmental Protection Authority (EPA); Hon Joseph Appiah Boateng - Chairman Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions; Rep - DFI |
| 10:40 - 11:00 | NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK | Networking Coffee Break |
| 11:00 - 11:15 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS | KEYNOTE II: 'THE LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVE - WHY GHANA CANNOT AFFORD UNSAFE WORKPLACES'Ghana's workplace fatality and occupational illness crisis examined through a leadership lens. The economic cost of poor HESS governance. What transformational HESS leadership looks like in practice and the gap between policy and execution on Ghana's industrial shopfloor. President, Ghana Chamber of Mines; Executive Vice President and Country Director for Asante Gold Corporation - Frederick Attakumah. |
| 11:15 - 12:05 | PANEL DISCUSSION | PLENARY PANEL 2: 'BUILDING A ZERO-HARM CULTURE - FROM C-SUITE COMMITMENT TO SHOPFLOOR REALITY'The most ambitious safety policy is worthless without cultural execution. This panel examines how Ghana's most safety-conscious organisations have embedded zero-harm as a lived, non-negotiable value. PANELLISTS: Managing Director - AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine; General Manager, Gold Fields Ghana; General Manager - Ghana Petroleum Mooring Systems; Deputy CEO, National Petroleum Authority; CEO - Consolidated Shipping Agencies Ltd Moderator: Ernestina Awelgiyah, QHSE Manager, SMT Ghana. |
| 12:05 - 12:15 | PERFORMANCE BREAK | POETRY BY NAKEEYAT DRAMANI |
| 12:25 - 13:00 | PANEL DISCUSSION | PLENARY PANEL 3: THE PROFESSIONAL RECKONING - BUILDING ONE VOICEAll association heads on stage. The cost of professional fragmentation. The HESS Professional Coalition: what it is, what it is not, and what it would change. PANELLISTS: GhISEP, SHEQ-PA, IOSH Ghana, OSH Association Ghana. |
| 13:00 - 14:00 | NETWORKING LUNCH BREAK | Networking Lunch Break |
14:00 – 15:00 CONCURRENT PARALLEL SESSIONS
| TRACK A - ROOM 1 | TRACK B - ROOM 2 | TRACK C - ROOM 3 |
|---|---|---|
| WORKSHOP A1Safety Leadership Styles: Assessing and Developing Your Leadership Approach Interactive facilitated workshop using validated HESS Leadership Assessment tools. Delegates complete individual leadership style inventories, receive peer feedback, and co-develop personal action plans. Facilitator(s): Joe-Steve Annan - Director. Safety and Health, at AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi; HR Manager - World Vision Ghana |
WORKSHOP SESSION B1Process Safety Management in High-Risk Industries: Lessons from Ghana's Mining & Oil/Gas Sector A rigorous technical examination of Process Safety Management (PSM) frameworks HAZOP, LOPA, and Bow-tie Analysis applied to Ghana's extractive and energy industries. Facilitator(s): Prince Obeng - Health and Safety Manager, Chirano Gold Mines Limited. |
WORKSHOP C1ESG Integration for HESS Leaders: Reporting, Accountability & Investor Expectations Practical workshop on embedding HESS metrics into ESG reporting frameworks - GRI, SASB, and TCFD. Ghana-specific case studies. Facilitator(s): Akwasi Adom-Dankwa, PhD, Executive Director, ICRS Ghana; Deborah Amoah-Awuah, Lead, Sustainability Transformation, Intelligence & Reporting, GCB Bank |
| 15:00 - 15:15 | NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK | Networking Coffee Break |
| 15:15 - 15:45 | WORKSHOP INSIGHT SHARE | RETURN TO MAIN PLENARY HALLGroup members from each group will share insights from the workshop sessions. |
| 15:45 - 15:55 | CLOSING PLENARY | DAY ONE CLOSING PLENARY: SAFETY LEADERSHIP IN ACTION - COMMITMENTS FOR A SAFER GHANARapporteur's synthesis of Day One key insights. Delegates invited to make personal and organisational safety leadership pledges. Led by: Ernestina Awelgiyah, QHSE Manager, SMT Ghana. |
| 15:55 - 16:00 | DAY 1 CLOSE | CLOSING REMARKS & VOTE OF THANKS DAY ONEDay One closing address – MC/Ian Matsun Rep. Announcements for Day Two. Sponsor acknowledgements. Preview of Day Two keynote and parallel session line-up. |
◎ DAY TWO · 30 SEPTEMBER 2026
| TIME | FORMAT | SESSION/ACTIVITY |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 - 08:20 | MORNING NETWORKING BREAKFAST | REGISTRATION & EXHIBITION ZONEDelegate networking breakfast. Exhibition Zone opens. Conference App morning poll: 'What is the single most important HESS leadership action your organisation must take in the next 12 months?' |
| 08:20 - 08:30 | DAY 2 OPENING | DAY TWO OPENING & ORIENTATIONWelcome back by Day Two Conference – IanMatsun / MC. Summary of Day One outcomes and pledge commitments. Overview of Day Two programme. Announcement of morning poll results. |
| 08:30 - 08:45 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS | KEYNOTE III: THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT NEGOTIABLE - GHANA'S INDUSTRIAL SECTOR AND ITS ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITYGhana's environment is under sustained pressure from extractive industry operations, industrial discharge, land degradation, and climate change. This keynote challenges Ghana's industrial leaders to move beyond regulatory minimum compliance. KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency |
| 08:45 - 09:55 | PANEL DISCUSSION | PLENARY PANEL: THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT NEGOTIABLEPANELLISTS: Minerals Commission - Director, Small Scale Mining; EPA Rep; Waste - Zoil, Zoomlion; NGO - A Rocha; AGI. Moderator: Erastus Asare Donkoh. |
| 09:50 - 10:50 | PANEL DISCUSSION | PLENARY PANEL 3: SECURITY IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD - PROTECTING PEOPLE, ASSETS AND COMMUNITIES IN GHANA'S HIGH-RISK SECTORSThe threat landscape facing Ghana's extractive, energy, and logistics sectors. PANELLISTS: Prof. Kwesi Aning – Security Consultant, KAIPTC; Security Manager - AngloGold Ashanti; G4S Security/Eden Security; Insurance. Moderator: Advisory Council – Propose Moderator |
| 10:50 - 11:10 | NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK | NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK - EXHIBITION ZONE. Refreshments sponsored by Gold Sponsor. Speed networking: 5-minute structured delegate conversations. |
| 11:10 - 12:10 | PANEL DISCUSSION | PLENARY PANEL 2: 'MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING AT WORK - GHANA'S SILENT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CRISIS'Ghana's occupational mental health crisis is hiding in plain sight. Burnout, trauma, anxiety, and depression are rampant in high-risk industries. PANELLISTS: Chief Medical Officer, Volta River Authority; Chamber of Mines Mental Health – Dr. Safo; Clinical Psychiatrist; Rep - Mental Health Authority Ghana |
| 12:10 - 12:40 | CONFERENCE COMMUNIQUÉ | PRESENTATION & ADOPTION OF THE HESS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE COMMUNIQUÉ 2026 (ACCRA DECLARATION)The Conference Rapporteur presents the draft Communiqué. Delegates vote to formally adopt. KEY COMMUNIQUÉ THEMES: National HESS Policy Reform, Digital HESS Investment, Mental Health Regulatory Action, Environmental Compliance, Contractor Safety, Emergency Preparedness, HESS Talent Pipeline. Attiah & Engr Ishmael |
| 13:00 - 14:00 | NETWORKING LUNCH BREAK | Networking Lunch Break |
14:00 – 15:00 CONCURRENT PARALLEL SESSIONS — ROUND III
| TRACK D — ROOM 1 | TRACK E — ROOM 2 | TRACK F — ROOM 3 |
|---|---|---|
| MASTERCLASS D1Environmental Compliance & Climate Resilience: Navigating Ghana's Regulatory Landscape Deep-dive into Ghana's Environmental Assessment Regulations (LI 1652), the EPA permitting regime, and emerging climate-related disclosure requirements. Facilitator: James Bright Baidoo - QHSSE Manager, GPMS; Raji Abdallah - EHSS Manager - CECA SL/NANT Power Project - Sierra Leone |
MASTERCLASS E1Emergency Preparedness & Business Continuity: Designing Resilient Industrial Response Systems Hands-on workshop: participants work through a simulated industrial emergency scenario applying Incident Command System (ICS) and Business Continuity Management (BCM). Facilitator: Prince Obeng - Health and Safety Manager, Asante Chirano Gold Mines Limited. |
ROUNDTABLE F1Contractor Safety Management: Closing the Gap Between Operator and Contractor HESS Standards Facilitated roundtable examining the persistent safety performance gap between principal operators and their contractor workforce. Facilitator: James Bright Baidoo - QHSSE Manager, GPMS; Raji Abdallah - EHSS Manager - CECA SL/NANT Power Project - Sierra Leone |
| 15:00 - 15:15 | NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK | FINAL EXHIBITION SESSION. Last opportunity for delegate-exhibitor engagement. |
| 15:15 – 15:45 | WORKSHOP INSIGHT SHARE | RETURN TO MAIN PLENARY HALLGroup members from each group will share insights from the workshop sessions. |
| 15:45 – 16:00 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS | CLOSING KEYNOTE: 'FROM CONFERENCE TO COMMITMENT - TURNING INSIGHTS INTO INSTITUTIONAL ACTION'The conference's closing keynote challenges every delegate to move from passive observer to active HESS champion. CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Conference Director – Dr Frances Jemima |
| 16:00 – 16:15 | CLOSING CEREMONY | OFFICIAL CLOSING ADDRESSClosing address by the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment representative. Final remarks by the Conference Chair and HESS Leadership Conference Founding Team. Formal declaration of the close of the 2nd Annual HESS Leadership Conference. Group photograph. |
| 16:15 - 16:30 | CLOSING NETWORKING | Informal closing dinner and networking celebrationSponsor-branded refreshments and entertainment. Certificate distribution for all workshop and masterclass participants. HESS Conference merchandise and resource pack collection. |
Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra · HESS Leadership Conference 2026
Who Should Attend
The HESS Leadership Conference is designed for professionals, executives, regulators, researchers, and organisations committed to advancing workplace safety, environmental sustainability, and operational resilience across Ghana and West Africa.
HESS Professionals
- HESS professionals at all levels
- HSE, EHS, HSEQ, and HSSE practitioners
- Safety officers and coordinators
- Environmental and compliance professionals
- Occupational health specialists
Corporate Leadership
- CEOs and Managing Directors
- C-suite executives committed to HESS leadership
- Operations and business unit leaders
- Corporate governance professionals
- Organisational resilience champions
Government & Policy
- Government regulators and policymakers
- Public sector safety professionals
- Environmental protection agencies
- Labour and workplace compliance officers
- Institutional decision-makers
HR & People Operations
- HR and people operations leaders
- Workplace wellbeing professionals
- Culture and employee engagement teams
- Learning and development managers
- Talent and workforce strategy leaders
Academia & Research
- Academics and university lecturers
- Researchers in occupational health and safety
- Environmental science researchers
- Technical and vocational educators
- Students pursuing HESS-related disciplines
NGOs & Risk Professionals
- NGO and civil society representatives
- Professionals working in HESS-related areas
- Insurance and risk management professionals
- Compliance and governance consultants
- Resilience and sustainability advisors
Why Attend
For Corporate Leaders & Executives
Strategic Integration: Gain insights on embedding HESS excellence into corporate governance and business performance.
Business Case: Learn how to build a compelling case for safety investment and demonstrate ROI to stakeholders.
Cultural Transformation: Explore leadership frameworks that drive employee engagement and safety culture.
For HESS Professionals & Practitioners
Technical Knowledge: Access cutting-edge risk assessment, environmental management systems, and security protocols.
Global Standards: Discover tools for implementing ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 31000 and more.
Real-World Cases: Learn from successful HESS interventions in African contexts.
CPD Points: Earn Continuing Professional Development credits recognised by leading bodies.
Career Pathways: Explore advancement and certification opportunities in HESS disciplines.
For Government & Regulatory Officials
Policy Dialogue: Engage on Ghana’s emerging National Occupational Safety and Health Policy framework.
Regulatory Excellence: Learn international best practices in harmonisation and enforcement.
Public-Private Partnerships: Explore collaborations that strengthen national HESS infrastructure.
Development Partners: Connect with donors and international organisations supporting HESS capacity building.
For Solution Providers & Technology Innovators
Showcase Innovation: Present products, services and technologies to qualified decision-makers.
Digital Transformation: Demonstrate how AI, IoT, data analytics are reshaping HESS management.
Strategic Partnerships: Build relationships with organisations upgrading HESS capabilities.
Regional Access: Leverage Ghana’s position as West Africa’s HESS hub to enter new markets.
Conference Structure
HESS Strategic Pillars
The HESS Leadership Conference 2026 is organized around five interconnected strategic themes presented in a branching tree-style structure.
Pillar 1
Leadership & Organizational Culture
- Transformational leadership models for HESS excellence
- Psychologically safe workplaces
- Board-level HESS governance
- Embedding safety culture strategies
- Behavioral-based safety systems
Pillar 2
Regulatory Compliance & Policy Development
- National OSH policy implementation
- Fragmented regulatory frameworks
- ILO convention applications
- Environmental law compliance
- ECOWAS harmonization protocols
Pillar 3
Technology, Data & Innovation
- AI and predictive analytics
- IoT safety monitoring systems
- Digital incident reporting platforms
- Data-driven decision making
- Wearable worker health technologies
Pillar 4
Environmental Sustainability & Climate Resilience
- ESG integration strategies
- Climate adaptation planning
- Circular economy systems
- Water stewardship initiatives
- Carbon footprint reduction
Pillar 5
Emerging Risks & Future Readiness
- Pandemic preparedness planning
- Physical security threats
- Mental health & psychosocial hazards
- Supply chain resilience
- Future HESS workforce skills
POST-CONFERENCE IMPACT
Expected Outcome
Participants will leave the HESS Leadership Conference 2026 with:
Actionable Strategies
Proven frameworks, tools, and methodologies they can implement immediately in their organizations.
Regulatory Clarity
Deep understanding of Ghana's evolving HESS regulatory landscape and practical compliance roadmaps.
Technical Expertise
Enhanced competencies in risk management, environmental monitoring, safety engineering, and security protocols.
Innovation Insights
Knowledge of emerging technologies and digital solutions transforming HESS management.
Strategic Networks
Connections with peers, solution providers, regulators, and development partners across West Africa.
CPD Recognition
Continuing Professional Development credits recognized by leading HESS professional bodies.
Renewed Purpose
Inspiration and commitment to drive transformative change in their spheres of influence.
SECURE YOUR SEAT
Registration Information
HESS Leadership Conference 2026 · 2-Day
Pass
Early Bird
Corporate Executive PassGHS
4,000
Professional Practitioner PassGHS 4,000
Government/Public Sector PassGHS 4,000
Student/Young Professional PassGHS 3,000
🎯 Group Rate (3+ from same org): 10% discount
Until June 15, 2026
Standard Registration
Corporate Executive PassGHS
4,500
Professional Practitioner PassGHS 4,500
Government/Public Sector PassGHS 4,500
Student/Young Professional PassGHS 3,500
Until July 15, 2026
✓ What's Included
- Access to all plenary sessions, panels, and workshops
- Conference materials (digital programme, resource toolkit)
- Exhibition hall access and innovation showcase
- Refreshment breaks, lunches, and networking receptions
- Certificate of attendance and CPD credits
- Conference mobile app for networking
- Post-conference access to presentation slides and recordings (where permitted)
Partner with the HESS Leadership Conference 2026
Sponsoring the HESS Leadership Conference gives your organisation premium exposure to Ghana's most influential HESS decision-makers, executives, and policymakers. Align your brand with thought leadership, workplace excellence, and the future of HESS in Ghana.
- Brand visibility across all conference materials
- Speaking or panel opportunities (select packages)
- Exclusive networking with C-suite attendees
- Recognition on digital platforms and event signage
- Complimentary delegate passes
📢 Sponsorship & Partnership Enquiries
Limited packages available. Contact us early to secure your preferred tier.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Build Leadership that Protects Lives
The HESS Leadership Conference 2026 is more than an event—it is a catalyst for the systemic transformation West Africa urgently needs. As our economies grow and our industries expand, the imperative to protect lives, preserve our environment, and secure sustainable futures has never been greater.
Whether you are a corporate leader driving organizational excellence, a government official shaping policy frameworks, a practitioner implementing best practices on the frontlines, or a solution provider advancing innovation — this conference is your platform to learn, lead, and leave a lasting legacy.
📍 Accra, Ghana · 29th - 30th September 2026
Register Now ⟶
