ASHEPA’s Membership, Committees and Digital Launch Is a Strategic Step Toward Stronger Professional Engagement Across Africa

As ASHEPA prepares for its Digital Launch, Membership & Committee Inauguration Summit 2026, the association’s President, Mr. Wilson Ronnie Odoom, says the upcoming event represents far more than a formal gathering. To him, it is a defining moment in ASHEPA’s journey toward stronger coordination, deeper member participation, and a more digitally connected professional community.

Scheduled for Saturday, 30 May 2026, at 3:00 PM CAT, the virtual summit will take place via Microsoft Teams and will bring together ASHEPA leaders, members, committee representatives, regional stakeholders, partners, and invited participants.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Odoom described the summit as a major milestone in ASHEPA’s 2026/2027 strategic cycle.

“This summit is about building the systems, structures, and culture that will help ASHEPA grow stronger,” he said. “We are entering a phase where member engagement, digital coordination, committee leadership, and program accountability must work together. The Digital Launch and Committee Inauguration Summit gives us the opportunity to align everyone around that vision.”

A New Digital Chapter for ASHEPA

One of the central highlights of the summit will be the official launch of the ASHEPA Digital Community Platform, a system designed to improve communication, collaboration, and participation among members.

According to Mr. Odoom, the platform is being introduced at a time when professional associations must become more responsive, inclusive, and accessible.

“Our members are spread across regions, and we need a platform that allows them to connect, share ideas, access information, and participate meaningfully in ASHEPA’s work,” he explained. “The digital community platform is not just a technology tool. It is a bridge that connects our members to opportunities, committees, programs, and each other.”

He noted that the platform will support community engagement, information sharing, professional participation, and regional coordination. For ASHEPA, this digital shift is expected to make member interaction more consistent and structured.

“We want members to feel that they are not only registered with ASHEPA, but actively involved in shaping its future,” Mr. Odoom added. “Digital engagement gives us the ability to bring people closer, even when they are in different countries or regions.”

Strengthening Committees for the 2026/2027 Cycle

Another major component of the summit will be the Membership and Committee Inauguration Program. Six key committees will be formally introduced, each with a defined mandate and role in supporting ASHEPA’s One-Year Plan.

The committees include the Conferences and Events Committee, Registration and Membership Growth Committee, Partnerships, Advocacy and External Relations Committee, Education, Training and CPD Committee, Technical Committee, HSE Practice and Guidance, and Communications, Media and Public Awareness Committee.

Mr. Odoom emphasized that committees will play a central role in turning ASHEPA’s strategic objectives into practical action.

“Committees are the working engines of the association,” he said. “They allow members to contribute their expertise, take ownership of programs, and support the delivery of ASHEPA’s mission. Through the inauguration, we want every committee to understand its responsibilities, priorities, and expected contribution.”

He said the event will give committee chairpersons or nominated representatives an opportunity to present their mandate, outline their priorities, and encourage members to participate actively.

“This is also about clarity,” Mr. Odoom continued. “When members know where they can contribute, how committees function, and what outcomes are expected, participation becomes stronger and more meaningful.”

Launching the Program Management Portal

In addition to the digital community platform, ASHEPA will also introduce its Program Management Portal, which Mr. Odoom will present during the summit.

The portal is designed to support program tracking, planning, reporting, and implementation of ASHEPA’s One-Year Plan. It is expected to improve transparency, coordination, and accountability across the association’s activities.

“For any organization to grow sustainably, it must be able to track what it is doing, report progress, and measure results,” Mr. Odoom said. “The Program Management Portal will help us organize our programs more effectively and ensure that our plans are followed through with discipline.”

He explained that the portal will give ASHEPA a stronger structure for monitoring committee activities, documenting program progress, and aligning initiatives with the association’s broader strategic goals.

“It is not enough to have plans,” he said. “We must have a system that helps us implement those plans, review progress, and keep everyone accountable. That is why the portal is so important.”

Advancing ASHEPA’s Mission Across Africa

The summit will also feature Dr. Tambeayuk Agbornawbi Marykathleen, Acting Program/Project Director and ASHEPA Central Africa Representative, who will speak on the importance of ASHEPA to Africa and why members should participate in the ASHEPA Annual Conference 2027.

Mr. Odoom said ASHEPA’s work must continue to reflect the needs and aspirations of professionals across the continent.

“ASHEPA has a responsibility to contribute to the growth of health, safety, and environmental practice across Africa,” he stated. “Our goal is to build a professional community that supports learning, collaboration, advocacy, and practical improvement in HSE standards.”

He believes the 2026/2027 cycle presents a valuable opportunity for members to become more involved in ASHEPA’s mission.

“This is the right time for members to step forward,” he said. “Whether through committees, regional activities, training, conferences, technical work, or public awareness, every member has something important to contribute.”

A Summit Focused on Participation

The event will open with a welcome address and keynote by Mr. Odoom, who will outline ASHEPA’s priorities for the 2026/2027 cycle. The ASHEPA IT Team will then lead the Digital Platform Launch, introducing members to the platform’s access process, features, benefits, and support arrangements.

Following the committee inauguration and Program Management Portal Launch, the summit will include a Q&A session, final remarks, and a closing speech by Mr. Bekalu Tasew Tebabal, ASHEPA Vice President.

Mr. Odoom said members should approach the event not merely as attendees, but as active contributors.

“This summit is a call to participation,” he said. “We want members, committee leaders, regional representatives, partners, and stakeholders to join with a sense of purpose. ASHEPA’s strength depends on the active involvement of its people.”

Looking Ahead

For Mr. Odoom, the Digital Launch, Membership & Committee Inauguration Summit 2026 represents the beginning of a stronger and more coordinated phase for ASHEPA.

He believes the combination of digital tools, structured committees, regional engagement, and program management will help position the association for greater impact.

“We are building a more connected ASHEPA,” he concluded. “An ASHEPA that communicates better, plans better, tracks progress better, and gives members more opportunities to contribute. This summit is an important step toward that future.”

With its focus on digital transformation, committee leadership, membership engagement, and accountable program implementation, the summit is expected to set the tone for ASHEPA’s next phase of growth across Africa and beyond.