“The job here is to implement what we promised the people of this country that we are going to do in our manifesto and we can all achieve that. So, in the end, we’ll say we promised this, this is how it is. Outside that will be a different story.”
Prof Akoriyea made the pledge at the handing over ceremony and his introduction as the new Director-General of the GHS in Accra.
He emphasised his commitment to reorganizing the health system to ensure equitable service delivery across all divisions.
The National Democratic Congress 2024 manifesto among other things seeks to Uncap the National Health Insurance Levy and ensure the timely release of payments to service providers and additional funds to finance health care for Ghanaians.
It also seeks to establish the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (MAHAMACARES) to support the cost of health care for persons with chronic diseases such as kidney failure (dialysis), cancers, Sickle Cell disease, diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases.
The manifesto points to the set up a modern fertility centre, implement FREE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE from the CHPS compound to the Polyclinic level in the short to medium term and expand health infrastructure to restore the prompt employment and timely deployment of health workers.
Prof Akoriyea assured that together with the new Minister of Health and the GHS council, they would produce a plan to enhance the health sector and staff welfare.
The new Director-General reiterated the need for professional conduct, warning against internal conflicts that could hamper service delivery.
He thanked the outgoing Director-General for the cordial relationship and encouraged all directors to come on board to achieve the target and get the best out of each other.
The outgoing Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, in his farewell remarks, outlined emerging challenges, including healthcare provision for Ghana’s growing elderly population of over one million people above 65 years.
He also stressed the importance of leveraging improved technology and ICT capacity to enhance healthcare delivery, particularly for underserved populations including the urban poor.
“As the health landscape changes, as a result of improved technology, there’s more we can do now,” he stated, adding that there is, “increasing expectation of our people.”
He urged staff to support his successor to ensure continued improvement in healthcare delivery.
Dr Hafiz Adams, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, urged the new DG to prioritize the welfare of the people he worked with.
“Because we all know that yes, we can have the resources, machines, and everything, but it is people who will take care of these machines, and if they are not happy and motivated, they will not put in their best. So, I want to encourage you to listen more…”
Take good care of them. Give everybody the space to work according to their schedule and try as much as possible to be fair and just to all manner of persons,” the Chief Director added.
Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, a Neurosurgeon and public health expert, brings on board over 25 years of medical and administrative experience.
Known for his groundbreaking surgical achievements, Prof. Kaba led the first successful separation of Ghanaian Siamese twins conjoined at the head and conducted Ghana’s first telecast modern awake brain surgery.
Prof. Kaba’s academic credentials include a medical degree and neurosurgery specialization from Cuba’s Higher Institute of Medical Sciences, a PhD in Public Health from Spain, and executive qualifications in governance and diplomacy from GIMPA and the University of Ghana.
The new Director-General currently serves as the Service and National Training Coordinator for Neurosurgery Residents at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, while maintaining his role as a volunteer consultant neurosurgeon.
Present at the ceremony were management of the GHS, Directors, Programme Managers, among others.
GNA
