The Acting Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has called on regional health directors to take full ownership of projects implemented by development partners to ensure their sustainability.
Speaking at a conference in Accra to mark the conclusion of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) project, Prof. Akoriyea emphasized the need for continuity in health interventions, particularly in supporting children born with disabilities.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Health, celebrated a decade of collaboration to improve maternal, newborn, and child health in Ghana. It also served as a platform to share best practices and recognize outstanding health professionals.
### **Impact of the MNCH Project**
The MNCH project, a 10-year initiative funded by the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), focused on strengthening health systems in the Volta and Oti regions. It aimed to reduce maternal, newborn, and child mortality rates by remodeling health facilities, improving infrastructure, and providing essential medical equipment.
Prof. Akoriyea highlighted that beneficiary districts—including Afadzato and Hohoe in the Volta Region, as well as Krachi West and Krachi Nchumuru in the Oti Region—had recorded a significant drop in maternal and neonatal deaths due to the improved health systems.
### **Government Acknowledges KOFIH’s Support**
Dr. Hafiz Adam Taher, Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, who represented the Minister, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving health services.
“The MNCH project under KOFIH has been instrumental in improving key health indicators for mothers, children, and newborns. The impact of this investment is evident, and we deeply appreciate the continued support from the Korean Government,” Dr. Taher stated.
He also assured that the government would sustain and expand initiatives that contribute to a healthier population and national development.
### **Improved Healthcare Infrastructure and Services**
Dr. Robert Adatsi, Deputy Volta Regional Director of Health, highlighted the project’s achievements, noting that maternal and neonatal deaths in the region had significantly decreased.
“The availability of appropriate medical equipment, in the right quantities and mix, has greatly enhanced healthcare delivery,” he said.
Dr. Adatsi also praised KOFIH’s bottom-up approach, which strengthened community participation and encouraged medical staff to accept postings to rural areas.
“With these interventions, previous challenges such as outdated equipment and logistical issues have been addressed, while staff competence has improved through capacity building and innovation,” he added.
### **High Immunization Coverage Achieved**
The project also contributed to an impressive immunization coverage of over 95% for all antigens in the Oti Region, ensuring that children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
### **KOFIH Reaffirms Commitment to Ghana’s Health Sector**
Mr. Bomin Yang, KOFIH Ghana’s Country Director, credited the project’s success to strong collaboration with Ghana’s health sector.
“Over the past decade, our shared commitment, teamwork, and continuous effort have transformed healthcare delivery, strengthening families and communities,” he noted.
As the MNCH project concludes, stakeholders remain optimistic that the lessons learned and successes achieved will serve as a foundation for further improvements in maternal and child healthcare across Ghana.