Kaba Akoriyea: New Director-General of Ghana Health Service promises to reset service
A neurosurgeon, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has taken over from Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye as Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), with a promise to implement the governing party’s reset agenda in the health sector.
In the reset Ghana agenda of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto are staff welfare, continuation of old infrastructure begun by the previous NDC administration, and the Mahama Care Programme, among others.
Prof. Kaba said the GHS would, henceforth, implement policies geared towards the realisation of what the NDC promised Ghanaians in its manifesto, saying "If this is not your objective, then I am sorry".
He called on the staff to be professional in their work and also ensure law and order in their operations, insisting that he would not tolerate any backbiting from them.
Improved ICT
Prof. Akoriyea said the GHS in this current dispensation of improved information, communication and technology (ICT) had no reason to fail Ghanaians when it came to quality health care and that was what he was about.
"Some 50 years ago, we did not have what you have today, but the health system worked, so we do not have a reason to fail," emphasising that it was only when they were committed to their work that they could succeed as a team.
Former DG
The outgoing DG, Dr Kuma-Aboagye while handing over expressed his confidence in the incoming DG and called on the staff to accord him the same commitment and dedication they accorded him.
He said over the years, a lot had been achieved and expressed the hope that more would be achieved due to improved technology.
He urged the new DG to implement his administration’s promise of ensuring that staff welfare was a top priority.
The Chief Director, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, commended the outgoing DG for his work so far in the service, saying a lot had been achieved.
He called on the incoming DG to continue with the good work that had already been started and improve on it, urging him to be fair and just in his dealings with the staff.
They should be adequately resourced to give their best. That is the only way he can hold people accountable, he said.
Writer's email:rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh