GHSPresident John Dramani Mahama has appointed Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea as the new Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), succeeding Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye’s tenure is celebrated for significant strides in strengthening the health sector, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Dr. Kuma-Aboagye’s leadership, Ghana became one of Africa’s most proactive nations in managing the pandemic, implementing mass testing, aggressive contact tracing, and timely policy interventions. His efforts resulted in one of the lowest fatality rates in the region.
Beyond the pandemic, he spearheaded transformational reforms, focusing on maternal and child health, nutrition, and family planning, earning respect both locally and internationally.
His commitment to healthcare workers’ welfare, introducing policies to improve their conditions of service, and receiving accolades like the Best Public Healthcare CEO at the Ghana CEO Summit, marked his tenure. International recognition followed, with awards like the Korean Prime Minister’s Citation.
At his handing-over ceremony, Dr. Kuma-Aboagye expressed gratitude to his colleagues and urged them to support Prof. Akoriyea, emphasizing teamwork.
Prof. Akoriyea’s appointment marks the beginning of a new era, with high expectations to continue advancing Ghana’s healthcare system based on the strong foundation laid by Dr. Kuma-Aboagye.