Tullow launches HIV/AIDS workplace policy

TULLOW Ghana Limited, a lead partner in the Jubilee Oil Field, has launched an HIV/AIDS workplace policy aimed at equipping its workforce with information regarding the deadly disease.


The policy which was launched during a brief ceremony held at the company’s main office in Accra formed part of Tullow’s commitment to creating awareness among its staff on the necessary details to be learnt about the disease and how society can help in making Ghana an HIV/AIDS-free country.

The occasion was attended to by officials of the Ghana Aids Commission, the Ghana Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS and officials of Standard Chartered Bank as well as staff of Tullow Ghana.

A Manager at the company, Mr Caesar Molina indicated during the launch that Tullow had recognised that its employees were its key resource “for which reason the workplace policy on HIV/AIDS is introduced to help improve their way of living in and outside the office.”

Mr Molina insisted Tullow’s workplace policy on HIV/AIDS would not discriminate against carriers irrespective of their status. The policy is thus expected to provide guidance for the management of HIV/AIDS in the workplace to ensure that employees affected, work in an environment that promotes dignity, and a free access to counseling and compassion without discrimination.

Mr Molina also expressed government’s commitment to fighting the disease in any possible way adding that the spirit exhibited so far by Tullow Ghana’s employees “is representative of what the company stands for.”

An official of the Ghana Aids Commission, Madam Angela Adams, lauded Tullow Ghana’s initiative and called on other corporate bodies to also form work site HIV/AIDS policies to shield their employees from its effects.

Tullow Ghana’s initiative, she said “is in line with the National HIV/AIDS workplace policy,” noting that efforts at creating and achieving a healthy environment to encourage and improve productivity should be seen as the concern of all and just health officials.

Tullow Ghana’s launch of the workplace policy comes on the back of a recent visit by the company to people living with HIV/AIDS at Abofu near Achimota in Accra.

The launch of the workshop is expected to trail a workshop to be organised by Tullow in the second week of November.