Perfect Titiati, Ho Municipal Director of Health Services, has identified staff absenteeism as a major contributor to low performance in some public health indicators, particularly immunisation coverage.

At the 2025 Annual Performance Review Meeting, she said the Municipality would intensify monitoring and supervision to address the challenge.

“Staff absenteeism has been identified as one of the root causes of our low performance, especially in public health indicators such as immunisation. As a Municipality, we need to strengthen supervision and closely monitor staff performance across our facilities,” she stated.

Madam Titiati disclosed that the Ghana Health Service had introduced a new online performance management system to enhance accountability and productivity.

She said all staff had been sensitised on the system, clear objectives had been set with them, and management would track their performance throughout the year.

“We have empowered our facility heads to supervise staff under them. There are many facilities within the Municipality, and it is difficult to monitor everywhere directly, so our facility leaders serve as our eyes on the ground,” she explained.

She warned that disciplinary measures would be applied to staff who persistently absent themselves from duty.

“This year, we intend to strictly enforce the disciplinary code of the Ghana Health Service. We have clear guidelines on conduct, and necessary action will be taken against recalcitrant staff. We are determined to see improvement,” she added.

As part of the review process, the Directorate also recognised and rewarded outstanding staff who distinguished themselves during the year under review.

The Best Health Centre Worker award went Mr Cyprian Kpakana, a laboratory technician at the Shia Health Centre, who had served diligently for about 40 years.

The Best CHPS Worker award was presented to Ms Dina Anderson, a Principal Community Health Nurse at Hoe-Klavi CHPS Compound, for her exceptional dedication to duty.

Awards were also presented to Outstanding staff for Hospital – Mr Harry Elikplim at the Ho Municipal Hospital, as well as to Mr Francis Fianu, a staff member at the Municipal Health Directorate who excelled in managing NHIS claims.

The outstanding staff for Polyclinic award went to Mr Richard Amaning, a staff at Ho Polyclinic.

The Director’s Special Award went to Ms Magdalene Agbi to a distinguished staff member whose commitment and hard work had particularly impressed management.

Madam Titiati urged all health workers in the Municipality to recommit themselves to their core mandate of saving lives and delivering quality healthcare.

“Our mandate is to save lives. We must provide quality health services and remove all barriers that hinder access to primary healthcare.

“Every resident within the Municipality, regardless of location, deserves access to quality primary healthcare services,” she said.

She expressed confidence that with renewed commitment and discipline, health workers would earn the appreciation and trust of the communities they serve.