The COVID-19 pandemic uncovered deep vulnerabilities in health methods across the enviornment—laying bare the urgent need for stronger investments in pandemic preparedness and response. For Ghana, it served as each and each a be-cautious name and a extremely effective opportunity: a name to reimagine and rebuild a more resilient, inclusive, and responsive health machine that can detect and deal with rising health threats forward of they escalate into crises.
In a wide step forward, Ghana has officially launched its Pandemic Fund Project, a transformative initiative that aims to strengthen national health security and protect lives by sturdy methods for early warning, response, and recovery. The open match, held on the Ministry of Effectively being in Accra, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders together with authorities leaders, pattern companions, civil society representatives, health consultants, lecturers, and contributors of the newly inaugurated Guidance Committee.
Ghana is handiest one of six countries in Africa to be awarded Pandemic Fund Grant beneath the 2d demand proposals. The country’s profitable utility—developed by a multidisciplinary technical group beneath the leadership of the Ministry of Effectively being and Ghana Effectively being Service—turn out to be supported by technical the support of the World Effectively being Organization (WHO). The total award of $16.3 million will probably be implemented over three years and represents a strategic investment in Ghana’s health future.
At the coronary heart of the mission lies a commitment to strengthening three serious components of health machine resilience: disease surveillance, laboratory skill, and the health group. These foundational areas are crucial to detecting, responding to, and improving from public health emergencies. The mission also adopts a One Effectively being and infamous-sectoral approach, guaranteeing collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors and shut partnership with communities to leave no one on the reduction of.
In his remarks, Dr. Sofonias Asrat, talking on behalf of Dr Fiona Braka, WHO Representative to Ghana, commended the Executive of Ghana for its leadership and reaffirmed WHO’s commitment as an implementing accomplice.
“This fund comes at a first-rate time. The Pandemic Fund Project represents more than a monetary investment, it is a strategic commitment to offer protection to the health of every Ghanaian by strengthening methods forward of the following emergency. WHO is proud to enhance Ghana in this major endeavour”, he stated.
Speaking on the match, the Minister of Effectively being, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasised the importance of studying from the COVID-19 skills and the usage of these classes to rebuild smarter and stronger.
“Extra than appropriate a pool of resources, this fund is an instrument for change—a possibility to make investments in early warning methods, health infrastructure, group readiness, and group engagement”, he stated.
A key feature of the open turn out to be the inauguration of the Nationwide Guidance Committee (NSC)—a 9-member physique tasked with providing oversight and guaranteeing strategic path and accountability within the implementation of the mission. The committee is co-chaired by the Minister of Effectively being and WHO, and contains representatives from key ministries reminiscent of Finance, Food and Agriculture, Gender, and Surroundings, as nicely as companions love FAO, the World Financial institution, and Civil Society.
Pattern companions cowl—together with WHO, FAO, and the World Financial institution—reiterated their enhance for Ghana’s pandemic preparedness efforts, commending the country’s proactive stance and pledging continued technical support to provide sure the success of the mission.
The open concluded with a shared vision: a Ghana that is interesting, proactive, and guarded. With coordinated leadership, intrepid investments, and reinforced partnerships, Ghana is poised to invent a health machine that no longer handiest responds to crises—nonetheless one which anticipates and prevents them, safeguarding the nicely-being of every Ghanaian now and for generations to near.
For Extra Knowledge or to Quiz Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Nation Office
Electronic mail: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393