FOHSMN strengthens partnership to enhance health, safety policies

The foundation over the years has been actively engaging with government ministries, private sector institutions, and State-Owned Enterprises to strengthen health and safety policies for greater coordination in the country.

In an interview with The Point, Abdou Ceesay, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of the foundation, highlighted that their ongoing discussions with key ministries and departments is aimed at increasing awareness and improving the enforcement of health and safety regulations.

Ceesay, a civil engineer, health and safety officer, thus, expressed appreciation to have the opportunity to meet with the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, during which he formally introduced FOHSMN and discussed potential areas of cooperation.

He noted that the Ministry’s senior management team, including the Permanent Secretary, the Directorate of Planning and Technical Services, and the Director of Public Health Services, all applauded the foundation’s initiative.

They equally assured their commitment to collaborating with FOHSMN to advance national health and safety policies.

For his part, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh welcomed the foundation’s efforts, describing the initiative as a significant step toward national development.

He, accordingly, urged both government and private sector organisations to support the foundation’s work in promoting health and safety awareness across the country.

Furthermore, Minister Samateh assured that his ministry is ready to formalise collaboration with the foundation by developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support national health and safety initiatives.

Beyond the Ministry of Health, Ceesay revealed that the FOHSMN has also engaged with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and other regulatory bodies, including National Environment Agency (NEA), Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA),     The Gambia Fire and Rescue Services (GFRS), Area Councils.

This engagement, he said, is focused on strengthening workplace safety standards and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations nationwide.