GHS commends media role in improving community health services

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has lauded the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) for its role in leveraging journalism to uncover and resolve public health challenges nationwide. During a Community Scorecard (CSC) Project Committee meeting in Kumasi, Dr Samuel Boakye-Boateng, Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PPMED) at the GHS, expressed his gratitude to AMMREN - a coalition of journalists spanning 10 African nations dedicated to malaria control and elimination.

Dr Boakye-Boateng expressed hope that AMMREN would continue to document challenges encountered during the CSC project rollout, while also showcasing success stories from districts to foster knowledge sharing and best practices. He emphasized that persistent issues, such as inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, medicine and essential resource shortages, service availability, and quality of care, could serve as evidence for Regional Health Directorates to engage with stakeholders and decision-makers.

Dr Boakye-Boateng also noted that findings from the field could support national advocacy efforts. The committee convened 30 participants, including officials from PPMED, Regional Health Directorates, and partners such as AMMREN, Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), and the West Africa Programme to Combat AIDS and STI (WAPCAS). Ms Aseye Kpodotsi, CSC Project Focal Person at the PPMED, acknowledged partner organizations for their contributions to media engagement, training, and community mobilization.

She highlighted delays in fund release as a significant operational hurdle, but assured that the GHS was collaborating closely with funding partner Expertise France to resolve the issue. AMMREN Coordinator James Addy reported that 52 journalists had received training under the CSC initiative, producing 45 published reports after field visits to target districts during Phase One.