Ghana News

Accra, Ghana 08 July 2015 - A two-day Regional African Consultation (8-9 July 2015) on the Global Strategy on Human  Resources For Health: Workforce 2030 is underway in Accra, Ghana.

Presentation of credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs - Dr Magda Robalo, on Wednesday 12 March 2014, presented her credentials to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Hannah Tetteh to officially assume office as the World Health Organization Representative (WR) to Ghana. During their interaction WR mentioned the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as the key item on the WHO agenda; specifically MDG4 and MDG5 together with the support to strengthen the Health Systems in Ghana.

Accra, 25 August, 2015 - The World Health Organization (WHO) has signed an Agreement with the School of Public Health, University of Ghana,  for the release of US $ 792,000.00 meant for the   training of  about 200 district and sub-district health and other staff from seven regions to strengthen disease control and surveillance systems in the country.   The need for this training is highlighted against the background of the recent Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa in which inadequate capacity of health staff contributed to the high morbidity and mortality.

1. Background

An outbreak of Ebola Viral Disease in Guinea was officially reported to WHO on 21st March 2014. Since, the Country Office in Ghana has been in the forefront of multiple unfolding events in Ghana. An official communication was sent to Ghana’s Minister of Health to inform her about the outbreak. Heads of bilateral and multilateral agencies and other partners were also provided with available information regarding the outbreak.

Several other activities have also been undertaken in the following areas:

Accra, 06 October, 2015 - The first WHO implementation workshop organized by the WHO/HIS/EMP in collaboration with the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority was held from 8-19 September at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra. This workshop presented the opportunity for NRA’s in the African region to discuss regulations on Biologicals, vaccines, and other bio-therapeutics in the African region which is an entirely new experience for most NRAs in the African region.

Accra, 06 October, 2015 - WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service organized a Multi-Country workshop from the 15-16 September 2015 at the Ghana Institute for Public Administration at Greenhill, Accra. The workshop themed “Epilepsy care, a shared responsibility” sought to emphasize the fact that one stakeholder cannot do it alone- That Care for people living with Epilepsy is a concerted effort by all stakeholders- health workers, family members, community members including faith-based and traditional healers.

Ghana joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2014 World Health Day (WHD) at the forecourt of the Ghana Health Service Headquarters in Accra. The focus this year was on Vector Borne Diseases (VBD) which includes Malaria, Lymphatic filariasis (which can cause Elephantiasis) and Yellow Fever. Highlighting the serious and increasing threat these diseases pose to global health and the need to protect ourselves from the vectors such as the mosquitoes which play a key role in the transmission of VBD, the slogan for the campaign was “small bite, big threat”.

Accra, 01 December, 2015 - Dr Owen Laws Kaluwa, on Tuesday 01 December, 2015, presented his credentials to the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Hannah Tetteh to officially assume office as the World Health Organization Representative (WR) to Ghana.

The WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr Magda Robalo, has commended Ghana for the continuous efforts to keep immunization coverage quite high and the burden of vaccine preventable diseases very low. She said Ghana stands tall for the country’s efforts to date, and the leadership in the introduction of vaccines against the major childhood killer diseases in the sub-region.