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CHORUS calls for revamp of CHPS in urban areas to boost health access
The government has been urged to place greater emphasis on Community -based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) facilities in underserved urban areas, as a means to improve health outcomes for the urban poor.
According to the Community-Led Responsive and Effective Urban Health Systems (CHORUS), strengthening CHPS in cities holds immerse potential to address health inequalities in fast-growing urban communities.
Speaking at a media capacity-building workshop and stakeholders’ forum in Accra, Professor Irene Agyepong, Chief Executive Officer of CHORUS, said that while CHPS compounds have been widely successful in rural areas, their potential remains underused in urban settings due to several structural and awareness barriers.
“Pharmacies and drug stores are currently the most common first point of care in urban communities, while CHPS compounds remain the least utilized,” Prof. Agyepong disclosed, citing findings from CHORUS Phase I and II research.
She explained that high population density and infrastructural limitations in urban areas have made it difficult to establish and maintain CHPS compounds, despite their effectiveness in improving healthcare delivery in rural Ghana where formal health facilities are sparse.
The Chief Executive Officer said CHORUS research, conducted in four urban municipalities—La-Nkwantanang Madina, Ashaiman, Ayawaso East, and Ayawaso North—revealed several concerning trends.
Among them she said was CHPS compounds are rarely used, with most urban residents seeking care from private pharmacies or maternity homes, public awareness of CHPS generally limited to child welfare services, with little understanding of its broader preventive and promotive health functions, particularly for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Others were only 19.8per cent of households reported receiving a home visit from a Community Health Officer (CHO) or Community Health Nurse (CHN) within the past six months, many CHOs and CHNs lack essential logistics and training in emerging urban health concerns such as NCDs, mental health, and family planning.
Despite these challenges, Prof. Agyepong expressed confidence that the CHPS model can be adapted successfully to urban environments with the right interventions.
“With targeted investment, logistics support, community engagement, and sustained public education, we can replicate the rural CHPS success story in urban Ghana,” she stated.
She also emphasized the importance of the media in shaping health behaviours and bridging the communication gap between communities, policymakers, and researchers.
“The media plays a key role in translating research findings into relatable messages that empower citizens. You are vital partners in promoting urban health,” Prof. Agyepong added.
She commended journalists for their ongoing support of the CHORUS project and called for continued collaboration to push urban health higher on the national agenda.
CHORUS is a six-year international research consortium funded by UK Aid and implemented in Ghana, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Nepal. In Ghana, the project is led by the University of Ghana School of Public Health and aims to strengthen the links between communities, local governments, and health systems to improve health outcomes in urban poor communities
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
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Focus on more pressing issues like Galamsey, not hate speech – Ellen Ama Daaku to Mahama
An aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,Ellen Ama Daaku has advised President John Dramani Mahama to shift his attention from social media hate speech to more urgent national issues such as illegal mining.
Speaking in an interview, she noted that the President’s recent comments about tracking the IP addresses of people who spread hate speech were unnecessary.
According to her, President Mahama must first define what he considers to be hate speech before seeking to punish people for it.
Ms. Daaku argued that the President himself had benefitted from hate speech and social media attacks in the past when he was in opposition.
She said even during his time in government, he described his opponents and their tribesmen in unpalatable terms, which later drew complaints from former President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
She stressed that harsh criticism of leaders on social media should not automatically be considered hate speech, adding that former leaders, including former President Nana Akufo-Addo had all been subjected to it.
“He is only feeling what Nana Akufo-Addo went through for eight years,” she remarked.
While acknowledging the need to regulate misconduct online, Ms. Daaku insisted that going after social media activists should not be a priority.
She noted that many political activists, including herself, had been insulted and attacked online but never called for arrests.
She concluded that President Mahama should focus his energy on solving pressing problems such as galamsey and the economy instead of concentrating on critics on social media.
By: Jacob Aggrey
