CHIRANO: Mining firms in Ghana have been urged to implement stringent safety measures to protect workers, as incidents of injuries in the sector have risen compared to the previous year. This call to action was made by Mr. Sulemamu Koney, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, during the Annual Inter-Mines First Aid and Safety Competition held at Asante Gold Chirano. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Koney emphasized the importance of safety protocols in the mining industry due to the hazardous nature of the work environment. He highlighted that data from 2023 indicated an increase in all categories of reportable injuries, except for near misses and serious injuries. Specifically, near-miss incidents fell from 325 in 2022 to 254 in 2023, a decrease of 21.8 percent, while first-aid injuries rose from 156 in 2022 to 162 in 2023. Mr. Koney urged industry players to prioritize a safe and healthy workplace for their employees and noted the Chamber's commitment to engaging community members, especially women, in safety initiatives. He remarked that preparedness in emergencies could be life-saving and that the competition aimed to enhance first-aid knowledge and skills. The event, themed "Safety! Our Collective Responsibility," was attended by representatives from various mining companies, including Asante Gold Chirano Limited, Golden Star, AngloGold Ashanti-Iduapriem Mine, and Perseus Mining. Okogyeman Kwaku Gyamprah III, the Paramount Chief of Chirano Traditional Area, also stressed the importance of first-aid skills, praising the collaboration between mining companies and local communities in fostering a shared culture of safety.