The Ghana Health Service (GHS) board members taking their oath of office
Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has tasked the reconstituted boards of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Food & Drugs Authority (FDA) to use their expertise and experiences to fashion out workable solutions to the challenges that confront the two health institutions.
Addressing the members of the two boards at the Ministry of Health in Accra, the sector minister said despite the significant successes attained by the two institutions, it is also confronted with seeming challenges that will need their urgent attention.
“You are brought on board at this time such as this to help find lasting and far-reaching solutions in order to bring service provision up to the expected levels of success we all want to see,” he stated.
GHS Board
The GHS board is chaired by Dr Yao Yeboah, with members, including Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Ben Amponsah Nkansah, Anthony Selorm Dzadzra, Wilhemina Asamoah and Alhaji YarIshaq Alhassan.
Other members are Reynolds Ofosu Tenkorang, Dr Adam Alhassan Jangu, Col Gordon Alexis Obiri Appiah, Mrs Romana Sarpong Omaboe and Dr Sefah S. Bediakoh.
The board is tasked with the implementation of approved national policies for health in the country, increased access to improved health services and to manage prudently resources available for the provision of health service.
Addressing the GHS board, Mr Agyeman-Manu indicated the need for the board to build partnerships with other service providers such as the teaching hospitals, faith-based and self-financing health service providers, as well as agencies of the MoH in order to discharge their mandate effectively.
FDA
The FDA board is chaired by Dr Sammy Kwame Ohene, with members including Mrs Dellese Darko, Prof Alexander Nii Oto Dodoo, Dr Augustine Ocloo, Dr Mary Obodai and Anna Pearl Akiwumi-Siriboe.
The board also includes Dr Kenneth Mike Komla Gbeddy, Pharm. Audu Rauf, Nana Kwadow Obiri, Dr Al-Hassan Emil Abdulai and Rosalind Kainyah.
Mr Agyeman-Manu added that the FDA as a regulatory agency under the ministry, the onus lies on them to ensure public health and safety with respect to regulated products through effective registration, inspection, market surveillance and stakeholder collaboration.
“You will be called upon to ensure consumer protection and safety through consumer awareness and education programmes, strengthen post market surveillance activities, and regulate tobacco and tobacco products.
Dr Yeboah, speaking on behalf of the two boards, accepted the privilege offered them to serve the country.
He said the boards would work to ensure the fulfillment of the vision of the president for the health sector.
“We want to put Ghana in a position where children live beyond five years, mothers don’t die giving birth, people with mental health have access to decentralised care and the old live in good health,” Dr Yeboah indicated.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri