The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has officially opened a Senior Managers' Meeting of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Accra, calling on health managers and stakeholders to work collectively towards the successful implementation of the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) initiative.
The three-day meeting will assemble senior managers of the Ghana Health Service, agencies of the MOH, development partners, professional bodies and representatives of key health sector institutions, provided a platform to discuss strategies for implementing the newly launched FPHC initiative and strengthening primary healthcare delivery across the country.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, described the FPHC initiative as a transformative framework aimed at restoring dignity to the Ghanaian people through equitable, accessible and people-centred healthcare. He noted that while the launch of the policy represented a significant milestone, its success would ultimately be measured by tangible improvements in health outcomes and service delivery at the community level.
Dr. Akoriyea highlighted key implementation priorities under the policy, including the remapping of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) zones, the introduction of enhanced staff identification systems with security features, strengthened monitoring and supervision, improved discipline and communication, and enhanced security measures across health facilities.
Addressing participants in a keynote speech, Hon. Akandoh commended the collaborative efforts of agencies under the Ministry of Health and the contributions of development partners towards strengthening Ghana's health system. He emphasized the need for all health facilities to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems to enhance security, accountability and patient safety.
The Minister also called for the landscaping and beautification of health facilities nationwide to create healthier and more welcoming environments for patients and staff. He further stressed the importance of proper identification for all health personnel and reiterated government's commitment to completing the 35 Agenda 111 hospital projects to improve access to healthcare services across the country.
The meeting featured solidarity messages from key stakeholders, including representatives from the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Coalition of NGOs in Health, and other partner organizations.
Also at the opening ceremony for the Senior Managers Meeting, a technical presentation was delivered by Deputy Director General, Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah on the five-year strategic plan document founded on nine strategic pillars. The document is expected to steer the direction of the Service until 2030.
The programme also witnessed the launch of a digital library application designed by the GHS IT Department to serve as a knowledge repository for health workers, researchers and institutions.
In his closing remarks, former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, under whose distinguished patronage the ceremony was conducted, reflected on the strategic position of the Service within Ghana's health system.
He described the Service as the primus inter pares - the first among equals - and urged the Service to position itself to lead healthcare transformation while ensuring the equitable distribution of human resources throughout the country.
The Senior Managers' Meeting is expected to generate actionable recommendations that will guide the implementation of the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) initiative and contribute to the achievement of universal health coverage in Ghana.