Mr Ahedor at the GHIMA Volta Chapter's 2025 Annual General Meeting at Ho, said that in an era driven by digital health, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making, it was regrettable that health information professionals continued to be sidelined in critical policy and operational decisions.

The meeting, which was on the theme "The Strategic Role of Health Information Managers in Ensuring Quality Data in the Implementation of the Network of Practice (NoP) in the Volta Region," brought together practitioners from across the 18 districts of the region.

Mr Ahedor called on health sector employers to invest in continuous professional development, provide modern working tools, and recognise the strategic role of health information management in Ghana's health system.

"It is disheartening to see our members working under deplorable conditions, lacking even the most basic tools, let alone modern ones, to meet today's standards in technologically advanced health systems," he said.
He urged the Ministry of Health to tap into GHIMA's internal expertise and avoid excessive reliance on foreign consultants to develop the country's Health Information Management Systems (HIMS).

"GHIMA has the professional and academic capacity to contribute significantly to improving HIMS. What we are asking for is recognition, proper upgrading, and fair remuneration, just as it's being enjoyed by other health professionals," he added.

Mr Ahedor also highlighted concerns about the lack of support from regulatory bodies, particularly the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), in safeguarding the integrity of the health information management profession.

"Our members continue to face frustrating delays in licensing renewals and struggle for recognition, while unqualified and non-licensed individuals infiltrate the profession. This undermines our credibility and puts patient safety at risk," he stated.

He appealed to the AHPC to engage GHIMA more meaningfully in regulatory discussions and decisions that affected the profession, emphasising that professional identity and licensing were essential for accountability and quality service delivery.

"We call on employers and regulatory authorities to act decisively. Licensing is not a formality - it ensures that only qualified professionals manage sensitive health information," he stressed.
He called for the establishment of proper governance structures for health information management in Ghana and urged members of GHIMA to recommit themselves to the association's values of participation, excellence, advocacy, and professionalism.

"Let us be the voice that defends GHIMA, the hands that ensure quality health information, and the hearts that serve the people of Ghana. Together, we can protect the future of our profession," he said.

Mr Mawunyo Mensah, the Volta Regional Industrial Relations Officer (IRO) of the Health Services Workers' Union (HSWU) of the TUC, lauded GHIMA's strategic role in shaping professional standards and expressed support for their advocacy efforts.

Mr Mensah emphasised the importance of data in shaping health policy and lauded the government's efforts to digitalise health systems through tools like the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS).

He said timely access to quality data was critical for evidence-based decision-making and advised that as managers, their ability to maximise these digital tools was key for improving Ghana's healthcare outcomes.
He announced that the long-awaited Tier 3 HSWU Provident Fund would become operational in September 2025, with unique ID numbers being generated for all members in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

"The fund will support members with access to short-term loans, education support, procurement of building materials, terminal health needs, and more," he disclosed.

Mr Senam Agbosu, the Volta Regional Governor of GHIMA, described the theme of the meeting as timely and relevant, emphasising the need for health information managers to step beyond routine data processing into strategic and transformational leadership.

"We must work collaboratively, innovatively, and transparently to ensure that decisions made at the national level are implemented effectively here in the Volta Region," he said.
He reiterated GHIMA's commitment to decentralise leadership, regional empowerment, and participatory governance in advancing the profession.

The AGM was well attended by GHIMA members from all districts in the Volta Region, as well as other health professionals and union leaders nationwide.