By Solomon AIDOO
Across Africa—and particularly in Ghana—the conversation around construction is often dominated by concerns about quality, safety, and timely delivery. These are vital pillars of any successful project. Yet, one equally important issue continues to be sidelined: the mental health and emotional well-being of the construction workforce.
The demands of the construction industry are immense. Site engineers face daily pressure to deliver on deadlines. Labourers, often under the sun for long hours, deal with intense physical exhaustion. Project managers juggle expectations from stakeholders, often with limited resources. Together, these pressures exert a quiet but significant psychological toll on the very people tasked with shaping the future of our cities and infrastructure.
In a sector that is both male-dominated and physically intense, conversations around mental health are not only rare—they are often seen as taboo. Strength, in the traditional sense, is celebrated. Vulnerability is mistaken for weakness. And so, countless workers go through the motions while silently battling stress, fatigue, and emotional burnout.
Behind the concrete and mortar
Construction work is intense not just physically, but psychologically. The pressure to deliver on time, often under uncertain job security, creates chronic stress. For many workers, project-based employment means a cycle of short contracts, financial instability, and emotional strain.
Poor communication and lack of support systems only add to the pressure. In many cases, the working environment fosters confusion and mistrust rather than collaboration. Workers pushed to their limits often sacrifice personal time, relationships, and rest—all of which are essential for mental balance.
Beyond the workload, exposure to dust, chemicals, and noise over time impacts overall health. In the absence of mental health support, workers may turn to alcohol or substance use to cope, leading to further decline in well-being and site safety.
The hidden cost
Unchecked mental health challenges carry heavy consequences. When workers are exhausted or emotionally drained, mistakes increase, delays mount, and injuries become more likely. In worst cases, it can lead to serious accidents or loss of life.
Low morale also erodes teamwork. When people don’t feel valued or heard, productivity dips—and so do project outcomes. Personal stress can spill into home life, affecting families and community stability.
All of this contributes to higher operational costs, slower project delivery, and a workforce in crisis.
Building a stronger, healthier culture
Addressing mental health on construction sites is not just about preventing burnout—it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported and perform at their best.
Mental health awareness training should become part of standard site orientation. Workers at every level need to know how to recognise signs of stress in themselves and their colleagues. Equally, supervisors and engineers must be equipped to offer guidance and listen without judgement.
Encouraging open conversations around mental wellness helps dismantle stigma. It creates space for workers to seek help before they reach breaking point. Awareness campaigns about the effects of substance abuse should be rooted in education and empathy, not punishment.
Importantly, leadership must model this shift in culture. When site managers acknowledge effort, provide positive feedback, and reward hard work, it builds trust and motivation. A simple thank you, a public shout-out, or recognition at the end of a long project can uplift an entire team.
Mental health is a foundation too
As we reflect during Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s clear that construction is about more than bricks and concrete. It’s also about the people—project managers and the subcontractors, such as the electricians, masons, engineers, steel benders, plumbers, welders and labourers—who make these projects a reality. Their mental health isn’t a side issue. It’s a structural concern.
If we truly want to build better, we must start by strengthening our foundations—from the inside out. Because just as a tree cannot flourish with rotting roots, no project can succeed when the people behind it are silently falling apart.
Let’s build with heart. Let’s build with care. Let’s build for the future starting with our people.
Solomon is a Civil Engineering Enthusiast
