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President Akufo-Addo champions “Wealth Through Health” strategy for Ghana’s development at Indonesia-Africa Forum
At the Indonesia-Africa Forum held on September 2, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana delivered a message on the importance of health as a cornerstone of economic development.
Speaking under the theme “Wealth through Health: Ghana’s Progressive Journey to Development and Prosperity,” President Akufo-Addo outlined how Ghana’s focus on health reforms has been integral to the nation’s broader strategy for sustainable growth.
President Akufo-Addo began by emphasizing that the wealth of a nation is fundamentally tied to the health of its people.
“A healthy population is not just a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity,” he asserted.
The President elaborated on how investing in health drives productivity, innovation, and economic stability, laying a strong foundation for sustainable development.
Highlighting Ghana’s health journey since independence in 1957, President Akufo-Addo shared the country’s achievements in expanding healthcare access and improving public health outcomes.
He said a key milestone in this journey was the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003, which currently covers over 56% of Ghana’s population.
This he said, makes it one of Africa’s most successful health insurance programmes, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of socio-economic status, have access to quality healthcare.
President Akufo-Addo also spoke about the significant reductions in maternal and child mortality rates, achieved through targeted health policies and the decentralization of healthcare services.
“We have reduced maternal mortality from 580 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 per 100,000 live births in 2023. Likewise, under-five mortality has dropped from 127 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 41 per 1,000 live births in 2023,” he noted.
These improvements reflect Ghana’s commitment to enhancing health outcomes, particularly in underserved rural areas, according to President Akufo-Addo.
Central to the President’s address was the “Agenda 111” initiative, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
” This ambitious project aims to construct 111 hospitals across Ghana, ensuring that every district is equipped with modern healthcare facilities. “Agenda 111 is about more than just infrastructure; it is about making healthcare more accessible and equitable for all Ghanaians,” President Akufo-Addo explained.
He added that this initiative underscores the government’s dedication to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system as a driver of development.
The President further highlighted Ghana’s efforts to attract private sector investments and international partnerships in healthcare.
With a stable political environment and robust legal framework, Ghana is positioning itself as a favorable destination for health-related investments. Additionally, the integration of renewable energy into healthcare infrastructure, such as the solar energy initiative for hospitals, aligns with Ghana’s commitment to sustainability and provides reliable electricity, particularly in rural areas.
However, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges that remain, such as the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, the effects of climate change on health, and the need to build resilience against future pandemics.
“We remain committed to overcoming these challenges through continuous innovation, investment, and collaboration with our partners,” he assured.
In his concluding remarks, President Akufo-Addo called on African nations to embrace the principle of “wealth through health” as a sustainable development strategy.
“Let us learn from each other, share our experiences, and build stronger partnerships to ensure a healthier, wealthier, and more prosperous future for our peoples,” he urged.
President Akufo-Addo’s address at the Indonesia-Africa Forum underscores Ghana’s commitment to health as a vital component of economic prosperity.
Through strategic investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and human resources, Ghana continues to demonstrate that a healthy population is key to achieving long-term sustainable development and shared prosperity across the continent.
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Intake of ‘Gobe’ can prevent heart diseases —Nutritionists
Nutritionists have advised Ghanaians to eat more beans-based meals, including the popular local dish, gari and beans, also known as ‘Gobe’ to prevent heart diseases. They said incidences of obesity and cancer could be minimised with the regular intake of beans meals.
At a programme in Accra to mark the World Pulses ( Beans) Day on Monday, Mr Wise Chukudi Letsa, Nutritionist and Dietician, who spoke on the topic: ‘Beans: The Super Food for Healthy Living and Healthy Farmlands,’ admonished Ghanaians to include beans in their diets.
Mr Letsa said beans was rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, irons and other nutrients and contained just a little fat. Mr Letsa, a Nutritionist with Lets Consult, stated that the presence of those nutrients in beans explained why its intake could prevent heart diseases and other ailments, hence the need to consume it regularly.
The event, dubbed: ‘Meatless Monday’ was organised by the Communications Initiative for Change (CIC), a Ghanaian non-profit organisation.
The ‘Meatless Monday’ is an initiative aimed at encouraging Ghanaians to reduce their intake of meat by taking in more beans-based meals on every Monday of a week.
It was launched after the United Nations in 2019, set aside February 10 to celebrate and encourage the consumption of pulses (beans) worldwide. This year’s celebration was hinged on the theme: ‘Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems.’
Mr Peter Agbovi, National Secretary, Chefs Association of Ghana, said a variety of meals could be prepared with beans, which include Waakye (rice and beans), Kose (beans paste made into cakes), Ayikple, Aboboi, Tuo Zaafi, Akyeke, and kakro.
He encouraged Ghanaians to consume more of those foods to stay healthy.
Mr Emmanuel Fiagbey, the Executive Director, CIC, indicated that even if people could not eat beans-based meals regularly, efforts should be made to consume them every Monday.
He said that was the essence of the introduction of the ‘Meatless Monday’ initiative. -GNA
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Restore beauty of Kwame Nkrumah Circle area / State of Kwame Nkrumah Circle an eyesore!
Small size quarry stones fixed at open spaces under the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange was to leave the place open and free from activities of beggars and other activities of the homeless.
By the way the stones were fixed, it makes the area, particularly the VIP and Neoplan Station stretch of the Interchange, inhabitable by the destitute.
But a walk through the area currently suggest the opposite.
At the median where pavement blocks have been taken over by these homeless and destitute, the area has been turned into a hotel where a number of these unfortunate ones have comfortably laid their mattresses and other stuff to rest from the day’s activities.
They have crossed over to the SSNIT and Kaneshie Station area with their activities and have removed the quarry stones which were to ward them off the place to enable them find spaces to sleep comfortably.
The pavement blocks removed from different locations under the interchange now serves as foundations on which beds were laid and in some cases, mosquito nets erected.
Their continued presence is not only creating a nuisance for commuters but marring the beauty and serenity of the place.
Sadly, the activities of these deprived fellows have been ignored while the numbers keep increasing day by day.
The Spectator finds the development very worrying and calls on the responsible authorities to clear the area to restore the beauty and serenity of the area.
By Victor A. Buxton
