Officials of the Ministry of Health and Japan Embassy in a group photo after the signing of the MOC.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the government of Japan have signed an agreement to support Ghana’s effort towards attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Memorandum of Corporation (MOC), on the Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative, will see Japan supporting key government interventions in the health sector including enhancing maternal and neonatal care, and preventive health care.
Japan will also support the prevention and control of communicable and non – communicable diseases and the improvement of access to proper sanitation and potable water.
Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, in his remarks before the short signing ceremony held at the Ministry’s conference room expressed his excitement at the new agreement which he averred would leapfrog the country in its UHC interventions.
“This initiative for me is worthy of the highest recognition especially when the focus is on ensuring the wellbeing of Ghanaians and ultimately to ensure Ghana achieves Universal Health Coverage,” he said.
He said the MoU was an example of the kind of partnerships the ministry seeks with its development, bilateral and private sector partners towards ensuring a healthy and productive population for national development.
Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Tsutomu Himeno, in his remarks commended the government for working towards the attainment of UHC in the country but noted that there was more to be done.
He said health issues such as a maternal and child wellbeing as well as preventive healthcare were still major hurdles to be crossed in the country’s healthcare agenda.
He thus noted that the two countries will seek cooperation with other health sector agencies and work out modalities for further collaboration under the MOC as may be mutually decided upon.
He said the five-year cooperation in the areas described should facilitate self-reliant and sustainable private business activities, to enhance regional and global competitiveness, and to promote public-private partnership in health-related fields in Ghana.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri