My sad but inspiring journey into the HSE profession is characterized by 3 things
- Nepotism, favoritism and tribalism;
- Faith and
- Patience
The Onshore Receiving Facility (ORF – OCTP) project which began in 2016 presented some of the hot cake job opportunities every safety professional from the length and breadth of Ghana wanted to be part of, feel the exposure, and be part of the history of the project. Getting your details to the liaison officer wasn’t easy, talk about getting a slot for an interview. Names of job seekers could be sent by 3 people to the liaison officer but in less than 3 hours, get changed or displaced by new names. Desperate job seekers, because they wanted to have a slot on the project have had to envelop monies for these liaison officers back door but yet to no avail.
My case was a mixture of happiness and gloom. With the help of an engineer friend who happened to be a course-mate of the HSE Manager for DE Simone, I was promised a slot on the project. As at that time, I was a fresh graduate having studied Occupational Health and Safety Management (Diploma) with the Institute of Commercial Management, ICM. The HSE manager advised that I go to the village (Sanzule at Nzema, in the Western region) and rent a room prior to the commencement of the project. The project was to start early 2016 but I was advised to rent in 2015. I recall my mom loaning me GHC 300 to pay for 6 months’ rent in October 2015. I took bold steps to rent ahead of the project because I had “macho” faith in God. Weeks run into months and finally 2016 was here. I was called to report at the site office with my CV in the second week of January 2016. All the HSE guys were gathered under a tree and those who had experience had already shared their experiences. Fear gripped me but I was confident to give my best during the interview and lo and behold, I got a slot on the project. By the grace of God, after the interview, I was among the few who were asked to start work that day. I was filled with happiness so I called my mom to share the great news.
Prior to starting work that day, I was given something in a rubber and guess what it was? It was a white De Simone long sleeves with reflectors in them. The happiness doubled, because to be given that PPE wasn’t easy, it was overwhelming because everyone wanted to be seen wearing that uniform, the joy alone wasn’t easy but soon that joy was short-lived.
Favoritism, Nepotism & Tribalism
I remember vividly without any shred of doubt, we were asked to introduce ourselves to the client HSE, managers, laborers, and visitors. The joy was overwhelming but little did I know that my happiness will turn into sadness. After the introduction, we were asked to supervise an ongoing fence construction 🚧. In less than 3 hours, the project manager and HSE manager, both of DE Simone sent for me. Fear gripped me because I didn’t know what I had done, a newcomer, a fresher, why is my presence needed? Ah well, my conscience was free, I entered the site office and the look on their faces broke my heart. Their facial expression wasn’t satisfactory. So, to spill the beans, the PM apologized and I said “you haven’t wronged me sir”, the HSE manager confidently told me that “the chief said you’re not a native of the land so the local folks have to be engaged first before any foreigner”. “Kw33”, that day I felt embarrassed, ashamed, disappointed, empty, and asked myself if I wasn’t a Ghanaian?
I was humbly asked to remove the uniform given to me, part of the uniform was soaked with my tears, it was terrible and embarrassing. How will I break this sad news to my mama, who loaned me 300 for my rent after assuring her that I will get the job, I kept questioning myself. When I was leaving the site office, all the folks and visitors murmured and asked one another why I’m sadly leaving the site
When I got to my room, I asked God if He brought me this far to disgrace me.
Faith & Patience
I encouraged myself in the Lord after two days of being indoors. It dawned on me to visit the altar of the lord and sow a seed. So, on the 3rd day, I dusted myself, took a shower, and left Sanzule in the western region to Tema (Royal House chapel, where I worshipped before moving to the western region). When I got to the church premises, the security said he couldn’t allow me to enter the auditorium because there was no service at the moment, I had to narrate my sad story before he allowed me but asked me to be quick. When I got to the altar, I couldn’t open my mouth to say anything, I just cried and left the seed offering at the altar. Two weeks after my visit to the altar, the HSE manager for De Simone called to tell me there’s one slot for HSE and if would be interested. All I said was “aswalapaa”, God isn’t asleep.
With my comeback, I was welcomed and apologized to, and encouraged by the liaison officer and some of the managers who witnessed my painful removal. I worked my heart out so well that I was praised for my hard work, compliance, good leadership exhibit, and punctuality. Six to seven months down the line, some colleagues and I were made redundant. Because of my hard work, the HSE officer for Engineers and Planners wanted to engage me. Negotiations were done, salary agreed and I was to start work the next week but when De Simone heard about my engagement with E&P, they disagreed because, at that time, E&P was working directly under De Simone. De Simone said I was one of their best and they will re-engage me, so E&P couldn’t engage me. I didn’t have the luxury of being delayed, disrespected, and toyed with so I chose not to work for both companies. A referral came for me after a week. The PM for De Simone recommended me to another company at Nkroful. After working with this new company on a two-year contract, they made me a permanent position staff because of my hard work and dedication to my job.
I’m currently their Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Advisor
Moral Lessons
- Sometimes circumstances are just what we need to reposition ourselves for better opportunities.
- Don’t just bear the title Christian, there is a fire inside of you that will warrant heavens to open for you when you pray – Sometimes God expects us to vibe with Him for He has answers to our worries
- Never mistreat others because they mistreated you
- There’s always light at the end of the tunnel
- I’ve come to love written inspirational messages because of my life story
I hope this story inspires you to keep pushing. Never give up on your dream.
My name is Cornelius Mawuli Adablanu, an HSE Advisor 👷🏾♂️