Health Ministry, Peace Corps mark 65 years of partnership between Ghana and US
The Ministry of Health joined the Peace Corps to commemorate 65 years of partnership between Ghana and the United States, recognising the organisation’s significant contributions to healthcare, community development, education and agriculture since it began operations in Ghana in 1961.
On this momentous occasion marking 65 years of collaboration, Ghana's Ministry of Health and the United States Peace Corps joined forces to celebrate a partnership that has profoundly impacted the nation's healthcare, community development, education, and agriculture. The Deputy Minister for Health, Grace Ayensu-Danquah, addressed the commemoration, shedding light on the organization's invaluable contributions since its inception in Ghana in 1961.
Notably, Ghana etched its place in history as the first nation to welcome Peace Corps volunteers, an initiative spearheaded by then US President John F. Kennedy and Ghana's inaugural leader, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Over the span of 65 years, these volunteers have collaborated closely with local communities and institutions to address pressing needs, share expertise, and bolster community capacity to tackle their own development challenges.
Ayensu-Danquah highlighted the organization's pivotal role in advancing public health, particularly Ghana's success in eradicating the Guinea worm disease. Volunteers worked hand in hand with health authorities and communities to enhance disease surveillance, detection, safe water practices, and public education. As a result, Ghana recorded its last Guinea worm case in 2010 and was officially declared Guinea worm-free in 2015.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister revealed that the Ministry of Health is currently crafting a structured volunteer program within the framework of the government's Free Primary Healthcare agenda. This initiative aims to offer qualified health professionals awaiting placement in the public health service the opportunity to serve in underserved communities while receiving necessary allowances.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
