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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
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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