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President Akufo-Addo champions “Wealth Through Health” strategy for Ghana’s development at Indonesia-Africa Forum
At the Indonesia-Africa Forum held on September 2, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana delivered a message on the importance of health as a cornerstone of economic development.
Speaking under the theme “Wealth through Health: Ghana’s Progressive Journey to Development and Prosperity,” President Akufo-Addo outlined how Ghana’s focus on health reforms has been integral to the nation’s broader strategy for sustainable growth.
President Akufo-Addo began by emphasizing that the wealth of a nation is fundamentally tied to the health of its people.
“A healthy population is not just a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity,” he asserted.
The President elaborated on how investing in health drives productivity, innovation, and economic stability, laying a strong foundation for sustainable development.
Highlighting Ghana’s health journey since independence in 1957, President Akufo-Addo shared the country’s achievements in expanding healthcare access and improving public health outcomes.
He said a key milestone in this journey was the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003, which currently covers over 56% of Ghana’s population.
This he said, makes it one of Africa’s most successful health insurance programmes, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of socio-economic status, have access to quality healthcare.
President Akufo-Addo also spoke about the significant reductions in maternal and child mortality rates, achieved through targeted health policies and the decentralization of healthcare services.
“We have reduced maternal mortality from 580 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 per 100,000 live births in 2023. Likewise, under-five mortality has dropped from 127 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 41 per 1,000 live births in 2023,” he noted.
These improvements reflect Ghana’s commitment to enhancing health outcomes, particularly in underserved rural areas, according to President Akufo-Addo.
Central to the President’s address was the “Agenda 111” initiative, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
” This ambitious project aims to construct 111 hospitals across Ghana, ensuring that every district is equipped with modern healthcare facilities. “Agenda 111 is about more than just infrastructure; it is about making healthcare more accessible and equitable for all Ghanaians,” President Akufo-Addo explained.
He added that this initiative underscores the government’s dedication to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system as a driver of development.
The President further highlighted Ghana’s efforts to attract private sector investments and international partnerships in healthcare.
With a stable political environment and robust legal framework, Ghana is positioning itself as a favorable destination for health-related investments. Additionally, the integration of renewable energy into healthcare infrastructure, such as the solar energy initiative for hospitals, aligns with Ghana’s commitment to sustainability and provides reliable electricity, particularly in rural areas.
However, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges that remain, such as the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, the effects of climate change on health, and the need to build resilience against future pandemics.
“We remain committed to overcoming these challenges through continuous innovation, investment, and collaboration with our partners,” he assured.
In his concluding remarks, President Akufo-Addo called on African nations to embrace the principle of “wealth through health” as a sustainable development strategy.
“Let us learn from each other, share our experiences, and build stronger partnerships to ensure a healthier, wealthier, and more prosperous future for our peoples,” he urged.
President Akufo-Addo’s address at the Indonesia-Africa Forum underscores Ghana’s commitment to health as a vital component of economic prosperity.
Through strategic investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and human resources, Ghana continues to demonstrate that a healthy population is key to achieving long-term sustainable development and shared prosperity across the continent.
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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