Every day across Ghana, thousands of public health professionals wake up before dawn and head into communities, schools, markets, health facilities and households. They inspect sanitation conditions, monitor disease outbreaks, educate communities on healthy practices, investigate health threats and help prevent epidemics before they occur.

Yet despite their critical contribution to national health and development, many Ghanaians know very little about the men and women behind these efforts.

These are the Public Health Technical Officers (PHTOs) — a dedicated workforce that operates largely behind the scenes but serves as one of the country’s most important lines of defence against disease and public health emergencies.

Now, the newly elected President of the Ghana Association of Public Health Technical Officers (GAPHTO), Mr Owusu Ansah Asante, wants to change that.

Having assumed office this year, Mr Asante has placed visibility, professional recognition and strategic advocacy at the centre of his leadership agenda. His goal is to ensure that the work of Public Health Technical Officers is better understood, appreciated and supported by the public, policymakers and development partners.

While doctors and nurses are often the most visible faces of healthcare, Public Health Technical Officers perform preventive functions that help stop diseases before people require medical treatment.

They are involved in environmental sanitation, disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, health promotion, food hygiene inspections, water quality monitoring, vector control and community health education.

Their work becomes especially critical during disease outbreaks such as cholera, meningitis, yellow fever and other infectious diseases that threaten communities.

“When outbreaks occur, our members are among the first responders in the field,” Mr. Asante explained. “They work directly with communities to identify risks, educate the public and implement preventive measures that save lives.”

According to him, preventive healthcare remains one of the most cost-effective investments any nation can make because it reduces the burden on hospitals while improving the overall health and productivity of citizens.

“Many people only think about healthcare when they visit a hospital. Yet there are professionals working every day to prevent diseases before people become patients. That contribution deserves greater public appreciation and support,” he said.

Founded in 1984, GAPHTO has evolved into one of Ghana’s most significant public health professional associations.

Today, the association boasts more than 4,000 members working across districts, municipalities, metropolitan assemblies, regional health directorates and various public health institutions nationwide.

For more than four decades, the association has contributed to Ghana’s efforts in disease prevention, environmental health management, sanitation improvement and public health education.

Members have played active roles in major national health interventions, helping to address public health challenges ranging from sanitation-related diseases to epidemic preparedness and response.

Despite these contributions, Mr Asante believes the profession has not received the level of recognition that matches its impact.

“There is a lot of excellent work being done across the country by Public Health Technical Officers. Unfortunately, much of this work goes unnoticed because it happens quietly in communities. One of our goals is to tell these stories and help people understand the importance of what our members do,” he said.

For the new GAPHTO President, increasing visibility is not merely a public relations exercise.

Instead, he sees communication and public engagement as strategic tools for strengthening public health outcomes and attracting support for preventive healthcare initiatives.

Under his leadership, the association plans to strengthen its communication efforts, improve engagement with the media, expand public education activities and highlight the achievements of members across the country.

Mr Asante believes greater visibility will not only enhance public appreciation for the profession but also create opportunities for partnerships, policy influence and professional development.

“We want GAPHTO to become a household name in matters of public health and disease prevention. When people hear about sanitation, disease surveillance, health promotion and community health protection, they should immediately recognise the role of Public Health Technical Officers,” he said.

Beyond visibility, the new leadership is committed to building the capacity of members to respond to emerging public health challenges.

Rapid urbanisation, climate change, population growth and evolving disease patterns continue to create new public health risks that require innovative solutions and highly skilled professionals.

Mr Asante noted that his administration will focus on continuous professional development, leadership training, research and knowledge sharing to ensure members remain equipped to address contemporary health challenges.

“We live in a rapidly changing world. Public health professionals must continue to upgrade their skills and knowledge to respond effectively to new and emerging threats,” he said.

The GAPHTO President is convinced that the association’s work extends far beyond the health sector.

According to him, effective disease prevention and environmental health management contribute directly to economic growth, educational outcomes and national productivity.

Healthy communities are more productive, children are able to attend school consistently and families spend less on medical treatment when diseases are prevented before they occur.

This, he argues, makes Public Health Technical Officers important contributors to Ghana’s broader development agenda.

“Public health is not only about health. It is about development. It is about creating environments where people can live productive lives and contribute meaningfully to society,” he explained.

As part of his vision, Mr Asante is seeking stronger collaboration between GAPHTO and government institutions, development agencies, civil society organisations, academia and the private sector.

He believes partnerships will be essential for addressing complex public health challenges that require coordinated action across multiple sectors.

The association also hopes to create stronger platforms for advocacy on issues relating to sanitation, environmental health and disease prevention.

As Ghana continues to pursue universal health coverage and strengthen its health systems, Mr Asante believes Public Health Technical Officers must occupy a more prominent place in national conversations about healthcare and development.

His message is simple: disease prevention deserves as much attention as disease treatment, and the professionals who dedicate their careers to protecting communities deserve greater recognition.

For decades, they have worked quietly in the background, helping to keep Ghanaian communities healthy and safe.

Under the leadership of Mr Owusu Ansah Asante, GAPHTO hopes that story will no longer remain hidden.

The association’s new chapter seeks not only to strengthen the profession but also to ensure that the thousands of men and women who stand on the frontlines of disease prevention finally receive the visibility their contributions have long deserved.

By Geoffrey Buta