Financial, Institutional and Human Resource Capacity Needs Assessment for Environmental and Occupational Health in Ghana.

Abstract

Introduction An increase in industrial activities without a corresponding increase in management infrastructure has significantly resulted in growing environmental and occupational health concerns. The absence of appropriate regulatory mechanisms and the requisite expertise in environmental and occupational health have mainly been responsible for most health challenges in Ghana. Objectives An investigation was therefore conducted to assess the financial, institutional and human resource capacity needs of Environmental and Occupational health in Ghana. Methods The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional and quantitative data collection approach using a structured questionnaire. A total number of eighty four respondents were randomly selected from relevant ministries, departments, agencies, international non-governmental organizations, tertiary training institutions with accredited degree programs in environmental and occupational health and a cross-section of industrial entities with operational presence or head office in Accra, Ghana for the study. Results The findings of the study revealed that institutional capacity was statistically stronger, recording a mean value of 80±12.2SD and the most statistically significant institutional capacity attributes were the criteria for recruiting new employees and working space (P<0.05). Financial capacity was also found to be statistically strong, recording a mean value of 74±15.0SD with environmental/occupational health and safety budget allocation being the most statistically significant attribute (p<0.05). Human resource capacity however moderately influenced Environmental and Occupational health with a mean value of 62±24.3SD and significant among the attributes were the proportion of departmental staff with Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety expertise and the total number of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety staff (p<0.05). A collaborative approach where human resource, institutional and financial capacity building are harmonized will yield significant benefits for the country and eliminate the need to deal with challenges arising from poorly balanced development. Conclusions The study suggests that adequate and proper training and effective capacity building in Environmental and Occupational Health in Ghana should be prioritized. Positioning qualified individuals to head Environmental and Occupational health services must also be considered. This study emphasizes the need for all relevant institutions to increase funding allocation for Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety in order to invest in institutional development and human resource capacity building.