AHSAG PAYS COURTESY CALL ON DIRECTOR GENERAL, GHANA HEALTH SERVICE

On Friday, 2^nd May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Association of Health Service Administrators, Ghana (AHSAG), led by the President, Rev. Ezekiel Amadu Daribi, and joined by our Ghana Health Service’ Headquarters team paid a courtesy call on the Director General of Ghana Health Service (DG-GHS), Prof. Samuel Akoriyea Kaba, at his office in Accra.

Joining the delegation were the Vice President, Mr. Bernard Fiifi Polley, the General Secretary, Mr. Abdul Rashid Mohammed, the Treasurer, Mr. Phanuel Gedzie and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Evans Akwasi Appiah who were led by Director, Health Administration and Support Service (DHASS), Dr. Ebo Hammond, with Deputy Director, Administration (DDA), Mr. Seth Allen Anku and Deputy Director, Administration (DDA), Mr. Martin Ankomah in attendance.

The delegation was well received and welcomed by the Director General, after which AHSAG’s President, Rev. Ezekiel Amadu Daribi, congratulated the DG-GHS on his appointment and also assured him of AHSAG’s unwavering support to make his tenure a success.

The President further drew the DG’s attention to the following issues as immediate concerns of the Association that needs attention: The appointment of newly qualified Health Service Administrators (HSAs), the appointment of the next batch of Hospital Administrators (HAs) in the GHS, the delayed implementation of the Hospital Administrator position at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and other administrative issues.

DIRECTOR GENERAL RESPONSE

APPOINTMENT OF HSAs

The DG-GHS was very concerned about the need for newly qualified HSAs to be financially cleared and recruited, emphasizing the importance of HSAs/HAs in the health sector. He stated that the delayed appointment of the new HSAs can erode their trust in the work. The DG informed the House that he would liaise with the appropriate authorities, the MOH and MOF, in this regard.

He also acknowledged the pivotal role of HSAs/HASs play in the health sector and assured NEC of his support in this regard. He further disclosed that over 13000 different cadres presented to Ministry of Finance for financial clearance, only 2000 were cleared but assured the House of his resolve to assist in securing financial clearance for HSAs. He therefore disclosed that he would task the Human Resource Division to present a comprehensive skills gap for consideration and that HSAs would be given the needed attention.

APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT BATCH OF HAs WITHIN GHS

The Director General requested to know why the process had stalled and was informed that it was due to an issue with the Public Services Commission. The DG then called on DHASS to liaise with all the appropriate institutions and personalities involved to ensure that all hurdles are cleared as soon as possible for the next batch of HAs to be appointed.

NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF HA APPOINTMENT AT KBTH

After the DG was briefed on the situation, he expressed concern and couldn’t understand why all agencies under the Ministry of Health had been able to implement the HA appointment except the Premier health facility in Ghana. He assured the delegation of personally following up on the matter with the Board Chairman of KBTH Board, to resolve the current situation.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2025

The DG was unofficially invited to grace the Association’s 2025 Annual Conference of AHSAG, scheduled to be held in the Central Region later in the year. While noting his demanding schedule, Professor Kaba expressed his appreciation for the invitation and his intent to attend, highlighting his enduring affinity with the Administrators’ fraternity.

CONCERNS RAISED BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL

The Director-General also ceased the opportunity to share several pressing concerns within the Service and called on HSAs and HAs to provide leadership in addressing them. These included:

Proper maintenance of health facilities and equipment

Elimination of informal charges for patient use of washroom facilities

Efficient bed management at the hospital to prevent ‘No-bed-syndrome’

Promotion of staff welfare

CONCLUSION

The DG expressed gratitude to the AHSAG delegation for the visit and reaffirmed his commitment to open and collaborative engagement. He welcomed further input, concerns, and suggestions that would enhance service delivery and strengthen the health sector.

As a gesture of goodwill, AHSAG presented souvenirs to the Director-General and offered prayers for his success in office. The meeting concluded with a group photograph and an exchange of pleasantries.