The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has officially inaugurated the governing boards of five health sector agencies, calling on them to lead with integrity, courage, and a deep commitment to transforming Ghana’s healthcare system.
The agencies include the Health Facilities Regulatory Authority (HeFRA), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), and the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA).
In his remarks at the swearing-in ceremony, the Minister described the moment as more than a routine appointment of leadership, emphasizing that these institutions serve as guardians of quality and protectors of public trust in health care delivery across the entire life cycle, from birth to end-of-life services.
Hon Akandoh noted that Ghana’s health landscape is rapidly evolving, with increasing cases of cancers, strokes, and kidney diseases, coupled with a population living longer but with more complex health needs.
According to him, this reality demands a shift from reactive care to preventive strategies. He cited key government initiatives such as the soon to be launched free primary healthcare program, the rollout of HPV vaccines, and the MahamaCare initiative as concrete steps toward building a resilient health system focused on prevention.
The Minister challenged the new boards to elevate standards and improve accountability across their respective institutions.
HeFRA, was charged with ensuring that every health facility, from the smallest clinic to the largest hospital, provides safe, ethical, and competent care to all Ghanaians. The Nursing and Midwifery Council was tasked with safeguarding the quality of Ghana’s largest health workforce by upholding training standards and promoting continuous development.
The National Vaccine Institute was reminded of the government’s vision of shifting from being a vaccine purchaser to becoming a vaccine producer, with the NVI leading in local research, development, and manufacturing. The Centre for Plant Medicine Research was encouraged to advance Ghana’s leadership in blending traditional healing knowledge with scientific research to create safe, effective, and competitive herbal therapeutics.
Turning to the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency, the Minister underscored the importance of dignity at the end of life. As funerals become increasingly commercialized, he urged the board to bring order, humanity, and honour to mortuary and funeral services.
Hon. Akandoh assured the board members of the Ministry’s full support, adding that leadership would also be held to account. He concluded with a powerful reminder that the ultimate responsibility of every health institution is to serve the ordinary Ghanaian with excellence.
