High Commissioner of Ghana to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, has said President Mahama’s government remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing healthcare delivery and deepening partnerships with the Ghanaian diaspora.
Delivering the keynote address at the Ghanaian Doctors and Dentists Association–UK (GDDA-UK) 20th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner and Legacy Awards on October 11, she said government recognizes that quality healthcare is the cornerstone of national development, hence, it will continue to pursue policies that ensure every Ghanaian, regardless of location or circumstance, has access to timely and affordable medical care.
The purpose of the event by the Ghanaian Doctors and Dentists Association–UK (GDDA-UK) is to raise funds for the establishment of a Maternity High Dependency Unit at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana.
“I am particularly delighted about your fundraising campaign this year — to support the development of a Maternity High Dependency Unit at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. This is not just an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in life,” she commended the GDDA-UK.
Speaking to the Ghanaian diaspora in UK, Zita Benson highlighted the numerous initiatives undertaken by the government such as establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme to transform healthcare delivery in Ghana.
She continued that government’s renewed health agenda is anchored on five strategic pillars:
- Expanding Universal Health Coverage through the continued strengthening of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), ensuring that no citizen is left behind in accessing essential health services.
- Digitising Healthcare Systems to improve patient data management, enhance transparency, and ensure that information flow supports evidence-based decision-making.
- Scaling Up Telemedicine and E-Health Innovations, particularly in underserved and rural areas, to bridge geographical barriers and make specialist consultations more accessible.
- Prioritising Maternal and Child Health, with focused investments in maternity wards, neonatal units, and the training of midwives and community health nurses to reduce preventable deaths.
- Building Resilient and People-Centred Health Infrastructure through sustainable financing and public-private partnerships.
She further referenced the recent Africa Health Sovereignty Summit held in Accra, noting that it reaffirms Ghana’s leadership in shaping a self-reliant African health agenda.
“Through these comprehensive initiatives, and in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and professional bodies such as the GDDA-UK, we are working to build a modern, equitable, and sustainable healthcare system, one that reflects the aspirations of our people both at home and abroad,” the High Commissioner stated.
has consistently demonstrated what it means to serve humanity with both skill and heart.
Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson also commended the GDDA-UK for its numerous interventions such as the donation of vital medical equipment and supplies to hospitals across Ghana, donation of PPEs to Lekma and Yendi hospital in the covid 19 era, medical textbooks and journals, and other projects embarked on by the Association, noting that these interventions are “highly commendable.”
She concluded her speech with a call to action for all Ghanaians to demonstrate a “persistent commitment in strengthening the Ghana–UK health partnership, not just in policy, but in practice. Let us harness the power of our diaspora networks to train the next generation of Ghanaian healthcare professionals. Let us ensure that our health systems in both Ghana and the UK remain grounded in empathy, excellence, and equity.”
Source:Lovinghananews.com
