In collaboration with USAID, Grand Challenge Canada and AMP Health, the Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPME) Division of the Service has launched the Country Innovation Platform Ghana Pilot; an initiative designed to tackle critical health challenges in the country by empowering local innovators to develop sustainable solutions.
Aligned with ongoing efforts from the Networks of Practice, the CIP Ghana Pilot fosters collaboration, shared knowledge, and innovation of strengthen Ghana’s health systems.
The event marked the culmination of months of collaboration among various stakeholders, who worked tirelessly to support local innovators. The selection of these innovations highlighted the importance of home-grown solutions in transforming the health care landscape, especially in the post-pandemic context.
In his welcome address, the special Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MEST), Mr. Oliver Boachie, affirmed innovation as central to national development. He further stated that the CIP Ghana Pilot exemplified the power of innovation in addressing the challenges of the 21st Century within the health system, integrating science, technology, and innovation into health care delivery.
He extended a word of congratulations to the winning innovators, whose achievements showcased Ghana’s potential to develop impactful solutions and encouraged them to continue pushing boundaries, as their work had the potential to extend beyond national borders.
Mr. Boachie reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the innvators’ journey from concept to scale.
Dr. Alberta Biritwum-Nyarko, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana Health Service, announced that the new platform will create a structured framework for collaboration among innovators, health practitioners, government agencies, and development partners.
“This initiative aims to foster co-creation of solutions to address critical health challenges in Ghana. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the platform seeks to enhance innovation and improve health outcomes in the community” she said.
Dr. Biritwum-Nyarko emphasized that the CIP pilot aligns with Ghana’s national vision for universal health coverage (UHC) by promoting innovations that enhance access, affordability, and quality of care. She urged stakeholders to engage with the platform openly and commit to constructive dialogue, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful health improvements.
She also reaffirmed the Ghana Health Service’s commitment to providing the necessary resources and oversight for the CIP Ghana Pilot, ensuring its success as a catalyst for healthcare innovation in the country.
Touching on the monitoring aspects of the project, Dr. Biritwum-Nyarko stated that the Ghana Health Service is dedicated to establishing a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to provide ongoing support for innovators, which will involve field visits, cohort meetings, regional launches, and regular updates.
She added that, with the help of key partners, the GHS will fund and document each step of the implementation process to create a comprehensive repository of best practices.
