Stakeholder engagement is critical in managing public health crises such as cholera outbreaks, ensuring coordinated efforts across sectors to support health officials in curbing the spread of disease. In line with this, the Acting Director-General of the Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, convened a strategic meeting with key stakeholders in the Central Region to deliberate on collaborative measures to tackle the cholera outbreak in the area.
 
The meeting, presided over by the Regional Coordinating Director, brought together a wide array of influential leaders and groups, including traditional and religious leaders, municipal and district coordinating directors, the head of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency in the region, and representatives from organized groups such as the Fishmongers Association, Okada Drivers Association, and Market Women Association. Also in attendance were selected Municipal and District Directors of Health Service, the Acting Regional Director of Health and his team, along with other key opinion leaders.
 
In his address, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea urged all stakeholders to unite in supporting the Ghana Health Service’s efforts to combat cholera in the region.
 
“This is the time to come together as one people to fight this disease and ensure that the Central Region is rid of cholera,”
he emphasized.
 
He announced that the Regional Health Directorate would deploy Health Promotion Officers to schools, lorry parks, and markets to raise awareness about the disease and promote preventive measures. He further called on all relevant agencies to ensure communities have access to clean water and maintain environmental sanitation to prevent the spread of cholera.
 
Adding to the call for collective action, Dr. Osaberima Kwesi Atta II, Oguaamanhene, urged all traditional leaders in the region to actively support health authorities in combating the outbreak.
 
This meeting marked Prof. Akoriyea’s first out-of-office engagement since assuming leadership of the Ghana Health Service just six days prior. He was accompanied by Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of the Public Health Division; Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, Program Manager for Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI); and Dr. Oliver Commey, a member of the National Case Management Team.
 
The Service remains committed to working closely with stakeholders to safeguard public health and curb the spread of cholera in the Central Region and beyond.