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3 International organisations sign MoU to improve Ghana’s healthcare service
Three International organisations has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve Ghana’s primary healthcare, and strengthen global health security defenses against current and future pandemic threats.
The organisations which are the Korea International Corporation Agency(KOICA), Japan International Corporation Agency(JICA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will leverage their individual expertise and resources to support three key health priorities in Ghana.
The priorities areas are primary healthcare, heath governance at the sub-national level and global health security.
The Countries Representative of KOICA, Mr Seungmin Oh, Mr Suzuki Momoko of JICA, and Madam Grace Lang of USAID signed on behalf of their organisations to affirm their commitment to the agreement.
Present at the ceremony yesterday in Accra, was the South Korea Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Lim Jung-Taek, Japan Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Mochizuki Hisanobu, and U.S Ambassador, Virginia Palmer who signed the certification for the commencement of the MOU.
Per the MOU, USAID plan to invest up to 135 United State dollars through 2027, subject to approval, KOICA is also estimated approximately 23 million dollars while JICA invest it’s technical and financial resources .
Mr Jung-Taek said the significance of the MOU cannot be overated as it represent a powerful testament to the spirit of cooperation and solidarity that bind their nations.
He added that, the agreement underscores their collective determination to safeguard the health and well-being of Ghanaian, as the globe emerged from the challenging times during the COVID-19 pandemic.
” We are actually aware of the importance of the resilient health systems. While we may be witnessing some progress in overcoming this global crisis,” he said.
According to him, “We must not forget the lessons it taught us, as the pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in the healthcare infrastructure, and it is our duty to bolster our defenses against current and future pandemic.”
Mr Jung-Taek said, Korea reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting Ghana in achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening health security, saying ” we will work hand in hand with our esteemed partners to improve primary healthcare service, to ensure healthcare service are easily accessible.”
Madam Palmer added that, the United State is committed to working with global partners to invest in primary healthcare and global health security, stressing ” no country can afford to stand alone during a pandemic.”
She said COVID-19 has shown the world the power of strategic partnership with allies, to build a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous world.
Mr Hisanobu noted that, the MoU was the first of its kind between all the parties, aimed to contributes to the achievement of universal coverage in Ghana with USAID and KOICA.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Tina Gifty Naa Ayeley Mensah said, the collaboration deepens the health sector support and partnership with USAID, JICA and KOICA, as it would contribute to achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2023.
She said despite the COVID-19 pandemic challenges, significant progress has been made in the health sector, saying ” the National Health Insurance Scheme increased from 42 per cent into 2020 to 57 per cent in 2022.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
The Dzidula Pink Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, has been officially launched in Accra, with a passionate call for national commitment to fighting the disease. The launch event, held last week Friday, carried the theme: “Beyond the diagnosis: A future of restoration, care and courage.”
Speaking at the event, Madam Abena Brigidi, founder and CEO of Nimed Capital Limited, emphasised that cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing families across the country. “Cancer does not discriminate—it affects mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It drains families emotionally and financially, and behind every statistic is a human story and a future suddenly thrown into uncertainty,” she said.
Sharing her personal encounters with cancer, having lost both her husband and father to the disease, Madam Brigidi highlighted the emotional, financial, and physical scars left behind. “I stand here not just as a speaker, but as a witness to what cancer can take away,” she stated. “I have watched loved ones fight bravely, and I have felt the deep pain that loss leaves behind.”
She stressed that awareness and early detection are critical to reducing deaths, noting that many Ghanaians still lack access to proper screening, reliable information, and adequate treatment. She appealed to healthcare professionals, corporate institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public to join hands in the fight. “Early detection saves lives. Your support today can lead to someone’s healing tomorrow,” she said.
Madam Brigidi further called for collective responsibility to sustain the foundation’s mission. “To our medical professionals, we need your expertise. To corporate partners, your resources. To the media, your voice. To policymakers, your support. And to the public, your compassion,” she urged. She also insisted that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to annual campaigns, saying, “Breast cancer awareness must not be seasonal.”
Mrs Diana Fafa Gozo, founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, shared her own cancer journey, describing the shock of diagnosis, the fear that followed, and the difficult path through treatment. Her experience transformed her pain into purpose and inspired her to create a foundation to ensure no cancer patient walks alone.
Mrs Gozo explained that many patients struggle not only with treatment costs but also with emotional resilience. She outlined the foundation’s initiatives, which include awareness and early detection campaigns, patient support funds, community outreach, and survival support circles. “This foundation is my offering of gratitude, courage, and compassion and a reminder that no one should walk the cancer journey alone,” she concluded.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it will deploy teams of Public Health Officers, members of its Sanitation Taskforce, and labourers, including sweepers and janitors, across all sub-metros to support the third National Sanitation Day exercise.
It explained that these teams will be equipped with waste collection trucks, tippers, and other tools to help with desilting, refuse collection, and transporting waste to approved disposal sites.
The AMA reminded residents that failing to comply with the sanitation directive or refusing to participate in communal labour is an offence.
It said offenders risk a fine of up to 100 penalty units, imprisonment between 30 days and six months, or both, with repeat offenders liable to additional daily penalties.
It urged all residents, traders, transport operators, market women, shop owners, landlords, tenants, and businesses to actively participate in the exercise.
The AMA said it counts on everyone’s collective responsibility to keep Accra clean, liveable, and resilient, especially as the city approaches Christmas and the New Year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
