Healthy workforce key to productivity and economic growth – SHAPE Medical Director

By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO

Dr. Promise E. Sefogah, Medical Director of SHAPE Healthcare and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School has called for greater investment in Ghana’s health sector, stressing that a healthy population is essential for national productivity and economic growth.

He made the statement while speaking at the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Hangouts themed “Healthy People, Thriving Businesses, Sustainable Ghana,” noting that health spending should be viewed as an investment in human capital rather than a cost to the state.

“Just as we invest in roads for transport, we must invest in health for human capital. A healthy population is not a cost, it is the most profitable investment a nation can make,” he pointed out.

The event was organised by Tarragon Edge in partnership with SHAPE Healthcare and the Africa Institute of Sanitation and Waste Management as part of efforts to advance SDG 3, which focuses on good health and wellbeing.

Dr. Sefogah highlighted major gaps in Ghana’s mental health system, revealing that less than one percent of the national health budget is allocated to mental health. He also noted that Ghana has only three public psychiatric hospitals and about 0.05 psychiatrists per 100,000 people.

“One per cent of the National Health Budget is being allocated to mental health and 1 in 5 Ghanaians have mental health problems. Unfortunately, Ghana has only three public psychiatric hospitals nationwide,” he revealed.

According to him, the country loses between  GH?2 billion and GH?4 billion annually in productivity due to preventable illness.

He urged policymakers, businesses, healthcare professionals and the media to work together to strengthen the health system, improve public awareness and increase investment in healthcare to support national development.

Speaking on employee burnout and leadership strategies, Dr. Patrick Kwaku Ofori, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, noted that high job demands are a major contributor to workplace burnout.

According to him, tight deadlines and heavy workloads place significant pressure on employees, creating constant urgency and increasing stress levels in the workplace.

“Tight deadlines and overwhelming workloads create immense time pressure and constant urgency for employees,” he indicated.

He further noted that emotionally draining interactions, such as difficult meetings and interpersonal conflicts, heighten stress levels and can lead to emotional exhaustion among staff.

He also pointed out that performance anxiety, particularly the fear of negative feedback during performance evaluations, can intensify feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt among employees.

Dr. Ofori added that “Insufficient organizational support and low appreciation reduce motivation and increase cynicism.”

He  also discussed stress reduction through physical and breathing exercises, highlighting practical ways employees can manage workplace pressure.

He explained that controlled breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which can effectively calm the body and reduce the stress response during intense or stressful moments.

On physical exercise, he noted that regular physical activity helps lower stress hormones while increasing mood-boosting endorphins. According to him, this not only improves mental clarity but also supports better emotional regulation among employees, contributing to a healthier workplace wellness culture.

“Regular physical activity lowers stress hormones while boosting mood-enhancing endorphins and improving mental clarity and emotional regulation.

Workplace Wellness Culture,”he stressed.

He added that leaders can help reduce stress by promoting wellness programmes, providing access to fitness resources and encouraging regular break periods that support healthy habits.

He explained that leveraging social support is an effective way to relieve stress and prevent burnout. According to him, strong social networks provide both emotional and practical support, helping individuals cope with pressure and build resilience in demanding work environments.

He added that workplace initiatives such as mentorship programmes, team-building activities and open communication can strengthen relationships among staff and reduce stigma around stress. These social connections, he noted, serve as a psychological buffer that supports recovery and helps employees remain engaged at work.

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