The M-CARE project is a five-year initiative focused on improving healthcare for people with multiple chronic conditions and mental health challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project is being implemented in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, adapting WHO’s evidence-based guidelines to deliver integrated, patient-centred care at the primary health level. M-CARE aims to shift healthcare from fragmented, disease-specific treatment toward an integrated, person-centred approach.

Funded by the European Union Horizon and implemented by partners including Amsterdam UMC, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), the University of Ghana, Lira University, the University of Copenhagen, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the project aligns with WHO’s PEN (Package of Essential NCD Interventions) and mhGAP-IG (Mental Health Gap Action Program) guidelines to empower frontline health workers in low-resource settings.

In Ghana, the M-CARE Project team held its inaugural Steering Committee meeting at the Ghana Ministry of Health, bringing together key stakeholders from government, academia, research institutions, CSOs, and implementing partners to provide strategic guidance and promote good governance for the successful implementation of the new project, ensuring adherence to project objectives and the approved workplan.

This maiden Steering Committee meeting provided members with a comprehensive overview of the M-CARE Project, highlighted the project’s objectives, work packages, activities undertaken so far, and implementation plans for 2026. Members of the Steering Committee shared their remarks on the project, their roles, and the importance of such a project in addressing the needs of people with multiple chronic conditions and mental health challenges.

The members of a Steering Committee are as follows:

#	Name	Institutional Affiliation	Role on Steering Committee
1	Dr. Hafez Adam Taher	Director of Technical Coordination atthe Ministry of Health	Chairperson
2	Dr Amissah Caroline	Acting Deputy Director General, GHS	Co-Chairperson
3	Prof Charles Agyemang	Professor, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam	Member
4	Prof Alfred EdwinYawson	Provost, College of Health Sciences,University of Ghana	Member
5	Prof Ama de-Graft Aikins	Professor, Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of GhanaProfessorial Research Fellow,London School of Economics and Political Science	Member
6	Prof Alfred Doku	Head of Cardiology, KBTH and University of Ghana Medical School	Member
7	Dr Eugene Dordoye	CEO, Mental Health Authority	Member
8	Dr Belinda Nimako	MOH, PPME Director	Member
9	Dr Franklin AsieduBekoe	Director, GHS Public Health Division	Member
10	Prof Kwaku Poku Asante	Director, Kintampo Health Research Center	Member
11	Mr. Labram M. Musah	Ghana NCDs Alliance	Member
12	Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto	Deputy Director, Operations, NHIA	Member
13	Dr Wallace Ollenu	Acting Programme Manager, NCDControl Programme, GHS	GHS Focal Point
14	Mr Prince A Amoah	Head, Public Health and Health Promotion Unit/MOH	Focal Point
15	Dr Leonard Baatiema	M-CARE Project/Scool of PublicHealth, University of Ghana	Focal Point

During deliberations, members carefully reviewed the Terms of Reference for the Governance Committee and proposed several revisions to strengthen oversight, coordination, and accountability structures. The meeting concluded with an agreement that the Steering Committee will meet four times each year, twice virtually and twice in person, to provide quarterly oversight and strategic direction for the project.

At the meeting, a key project event was discussed, and members were reminded to join on the 28th of May, 2026, from 14.00-15.30 (CET); 12.00-13.30 (GMT). This is the first webinar for the project, hosted by the M-CARE Consortium in collaboration with Amsterdam Public Health – Global Health, which brings together leading experts to confront this challenge head-on.

The webinar will explore practical, scalable solutions to strengthen primary care for people living with multiple chronic conditions across Africa. It will unpack the true scale of the problem, examine why whole-person primary care is essential, and highlight how evidence-based tools such

as WHO PEN and mhGAP can transform frontline services. The session will also spotlight real-world insights from the European Commission–funded M-CARE Project (https://www.mcareproject.org), currently evaluating integrated care strategies in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. Expect rich insights, actionable strategies, and a forward-looking discussion on improving care for millions across the region. The event will be chaired by Prof. Charles Agyemang (Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam) and will feature presentations from eminent speakers, followed by an interactive Q&A and panel discussion.

Webinar MLTC registration form

https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/61172360132?pwd=YbHRk3dSyIrwIaK3JcRCR AAlAJBtod.1

More details at https://www.mcareproject.org/