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Ghana has the potential to build a resilient, equitable, and efficient health system capable of addressing both its current needs and future challenges, the Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Health, Dr Koku Awoonor-Williams, has said.
According to him, Ghana had over the years developed innovative approaches and initiatives to enable her to address current needs and future challenges.
Dr Awoonor-Williams mentioned some of the innovative approaches as the implementation of the Ghana Essential Health Intervention Programme (GEHIP) and a programme for strengthening Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHIPS+), as well as digital health and emergency cares.
Dr Awoonor-Williams, who is also a Public Health Consultant, and Health Systems and Policy Analyst, made the remark at the opening of a health systems innovation conference under the theme: ‘Advancing Evidence -Based Innovation for Strengthening Health Systems in Africa,’ held in Accra yesterday.
The two-day conference provides a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing to improve health systems in Africa, and to highlight innovative approaches and best practices that have shown measurable improvements in health outcomes.
It is also aimed at inspiring the next generation of health systems leaders by offering capacity building and networking opportunities
Organised by the Regional Institute of Population Studies (RIPS) in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) with funding from the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), the conference brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to share their research findings, knowledge, and best practices to improve the country’s health systems.
He also reiterated the significance of innovation in transforming health outcomes, saying that “every innovation, no matter how small, can have a lasting impact across generations,” adding that it was not just about technology or strategy, but about imagination, collaboration, and a collective belief in finding solutions to complex challenges.
The Deputy D-G of GHS, Dr Caroline Reindorf Amissah, who represented the chairman of the programme, the D-G of GHS, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, underscored the significance of the theme saying it resonated deeply with aspirations and imperative of our time.
She applauded the DDF for their support and commitment in ensuring that the mission of RIPS was brought to fruition.
The Director of RIPS, University of Ghana (UG), Professor Ayaga Agula Bawah, stated that the conference contributions would undoubtedly shape the outcomes of this conference and, more importantly, the future of health systems in Africa.
He indicated that a comprehensive conference report would be published to reach a wider audience and amplify the impact of the conference.
Prof. Bawah reiterated the UG’s commitment to strengthening its role in promotion research, innovation and systems development, saying it remained the cornerstone of the University of Ghana’s mission to intensify research and innovation.
The Chief Programmes Officer of DDF, Ms Maurine D. Knighton, commended RIPS and the organising committee of the conference, pledging the foundation’s continuous support and partnership.
The conference would feature over 50 papers presented by researchers, policymakers and practitioners from 15 countries. These papers span diverse themes such as digital health, universal health coverage, community health, and health systems search.
