Health authorities and Ghana’s development partners have gathered in the Volta Region to evaluate Community-based Health Planning and Services across the country.

The meeting underway in Sogakope is also aimed at finding ways to standardise the whole concept of community-based health, popularly called CHPS compound.

Since it started in 1994 health authorities say there has not been clarity in the policy, while implementation framework is not adequately developed.

Public health officials also say several written manuals, plans and strategies contradict activities of various implementation agencies.

Director of Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Health, Afisah Zakaria, said it was important to redefine the CHPS compound and allow District Assemblies to manage it.

"The next is to develop a structured in-service system and career development path for community health officers" Dr Zakaria said.

She added that it was important to award health officials who serve in deprived areas as part of the CHPS system.

Dr Afisah Zakaria also underscored the need to systematically support and replenish volunteers who take part in the system.

Health Minister Dr. Kwaku Agyemang Mensah said the whole concept must be anchored within the basic principles of primary health and universal health coverage.

He tasked the health authorities gathered in the Volta Region to review the system to, among other things, find the best strategies and technology for delivering primary healthcare services in specific environments.

He also charged health authorities to ensure how the country "can provide leadership, motivate and make service delivery of CHPS attractive to the young professionals and volunteers."

Dr. Kwaku Agyemang Mensah said he expects the completion of a National CHPS Policy and Implementation Strategy by the end of this year.