The call was among a number of resolution made at the end of the inaugural Consumer Health Week (CHW) Summit and Health Expo held in Accra, last week. 

The event, organised by Development Impact Partners in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and the Food and Drugs Authority, formed part of activities marking Consumer Health Week (April 6–12), anchored on World Health Day. 

The two-day summit brought together government officials, regulators, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals, innovators, and members of the public to deliberate on advancing consumer health rights and strengthening health systems. 

Other key resolutions from the summit included recognising consumer health as a constitutional right, promoting patient participation in healthcare design, prioritising women in health strategies, strengthening regulatory systems, and advancing science-based decision-making. 

Speaking at the summit, Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, underscored the relevance of contextualising Consumer Health Week locally to improve health literacy and public trust in regulatory institutions. 

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Korle-Klottey, stressed the need to prioritise women in consumer health strategies. 

She noted that women, while being key decision-makers in household health, were also highly vulnerable to misinformation. 

“Protecting consumer health, therefore, is not an option; it is central to building a secure, resilient, and well-governed nation,” she said. 

Madam Caroline Amissah, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to consumer-centred health governance. 

Madam Fiona Braka, World Health Organization Country Representative, urged policymakers to prioritise investment in science and research to improve national health outcomes. 

Kwabena Frimpong-Manso Opuni, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, who also spoke at the summit, pledged the Authority’s continued commitment to protecting consumers. 

Highlighting the importance of citizen participation, Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute, said patients must be recognised as co-designers of the health system. 

“Patients should be positioned as co-designers of the health sector in a patient-centred approach,” he stated. 

In a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh reiterated government’s commitment to building a health system that is accountable to citizens and responsive to their needs. 

On the legal dimension of consumer health, Mr Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, said consumer health must be treated as both a public health priority and a constitutional right. 

“Consumer health in Ghana must be understood as both a public health imperative and legal entitlement grounded in national legal framework. Article 13 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees the right to life and inherently the right to health,” he noted. 

The summit also featured presentations on key public health issues, including vaccine hesitancy, nutrition, and mental health. 

A regulatory panel comprising representatives from the FDA, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Standards Authority, and Health Facilities Regulatory Authority outlined measures to strengthen enforcement and accountability.  

These included the deployment of additional standards inspectors, digitisation of regulatory services, and enhanced community engagement. 

The summit also showcased Ghanaian health technology innovations, including DociaCare, Bloodworld Platform, Mycare Mobile, and Fornix AI, highlighting the growing role of digital solutions in healthcare delivery. 

The week-long activities extended into the community with a health outreach programme at Osu Obeweku, where more than 400 residents received free healthcare services.