Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has said collective marketing of the Ahafo Region will help attract more health personnel. 

He said there are many unfortunate misconceptions about some regions of Ghana, including the Ahafo Region, that "scares" some professionals from moving to work there.

He recounted years ago when he was transferred to the northern region and he was told by some people that fridges don't work there in the afternoon. He said he believed it, but he went there because he was motivated.

Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said the Ahafo Region needs to be marketed collectively, not only by the health sector players but by the whole region to attract more health workers.

"Sometimes people don't know where Ahafo Region is, or Goaso, or Yamfo. But as soon as they hear the name for the first time, they reject working there in preference to areas such as Accra and Kumasi," he said and stressed, "I think as a region we need to market ourselves that there are good things here, there are health workers happily working here and are not asking to leave."

Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said this during a two-day maiden 2020 health review of Ahafo Region at Goaso, under the theme, "Improving quality healthcare delivery, focusing on maternal and child health in Ahafo region: Employing the District health family system."

GHS uses the first quarter of every year to take stock of its service performance. The review meetings also help the Service to demonstrate accountability to all stakeholders, share best practices and promote community involvement in health care.

Dr. Kuma-Aboagye, who was the guest speaker, advised them to appreciate the challenges for which reason the region was created.

"Your complaint should be to address those numerous challenges because the health of the people of Ahafo cannot wait," he said. "I will be on all of you to ensure the work is done, and I trust you can do it," he added.

The Director-General of the GHS also said the Service in 2021 would finalize plans to address staff needs, such as the provision of compensation, and benefits package and investing and improving capacities.  

Ahafo Regional Minister, George Yaw Boakye, performing his maiden task since his confirmation, expressed the region's appreciation to the health workers in their lead role during the covid-19 pandemic. 

He said the region was no exception in the covid-19 disruptions as more havoc is been caused especially since the start of 2021 and has thus called on all stakeholders not to rest on their owls but to sustain the good works, including the adherence of the safety protocols, to eliminate the virus as early as possible.

The minister appealed to all to embrace the covid-19 vaccine and present themselves to be vaccinated when it gets to the turn of the Ahafo region.

He further said under his leadership, the Regional Coordinating Council will provide the needed commitment and support to ensure the reduction of maternal, neonatal, and child mortalities, which should continue to be the collective agenda and focus as a region, are achieved.

George Yaw Boakye assured the gathering of working to improve the office complex, residential accommodation for staff, and other logistical constraints, aimed at helping to attain successful healthcare delivery in the region.