Akufo-Addo and Ga Mantse present ‘Saloon Car’ to Ghana Health Service Excellence Awards winner
On November 20, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, alongside His Royal Majesty Nii King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, presented a brand-new saloon car to Ms. Vivian Opoku-Kyeremeh, a health officer from Dumasua CHPS in the Bono Region.
Ms. Opoku-Kyeremeh emerged as the Overall Winner of the second edition of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Excellence Awards 2024.
The event, held at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), saw the attendance of Adelaide Ntim, Deputy Minister for Health; Dr Sefah Sarpong Bediako, Chairman of the Ghana Health Service Council; and Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service.
Ms. Opoku-Kyeremeh was celebrated for her exceptional dedication, innovative contributions, and outstanding service in advancing healthcare delivery across the country.
Her recognition included a Certificate of Honour, a Citation Plaque, a 50-inch LED Smart TV, a brand-new saloon vehicle (VW Virtus), and an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai.
President Akufo-Addo praised health workers for their invaluable contributions to Ghana’s healthcare system and highlighted his administration’s initiatives to strengthen the sector.
These include introducing Community Health Service Initiatives, enhancing the Primary Healthcare Network, and expanding services to remote areas to ensure inclusivity.
President Nana Akufo-Addo highlighted the need for healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, empathy, and loyalty.
He emphasized that ethical lapses and lack of compassion have no place in the healthcare system, as they erode public trust and diminish the dignity of citizens.
The President urged healthcare professionals to prioritize client satisfaction and deliver compassionate, patient-centred care.
Addressing staffing challenges in the health sector, the President noted that his administration had recruited 202,527 medical personnel over the past eight years.
These included 12,132 medical officers, house officers, and specialists; 165,222 diploma and degree nurses and midwives; 1,303 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; 80 medical herbalists; 13,471 allied health professionals and interns; and 8,688 support staff.
The Ghana Health Service Excellence Awards 2024 was held under the theme: Sustaining Partnerships for Effective and Efficient Healthcare Delivery" to recognize and celebrate outstanding performance and achievement within the healthcare sector with a focus on individual staff awards, institutional and leadership awards, and special awards.
The event is a testament to the collective responsibility of stakeholders, particularly traditional authorities, in driving healthcare delivery and achieving universal health coverage.