In a significant move to support Ghana's journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a cohort of journalists from across the country’s 16 regions is being trained under the theme "Effective Use of the Media to Scale Up Universal Health Coverage."

Organized by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), and the Ministry of Health, the training aims to empower journalists to become critical advocates for quality healthcare.

The initiative is funded by Expertise France under its ongoing Community Scorecard (CSC) project.

The Community Scorecard (CSC) is a participatory tool that allows communities to assess healthcare services in their regions, with the goal of improving accountability and service delivery.

During the workshop, the selected journalists will be equipped with the skills necessary to use scorecard data effectively to hold policymakers and healthcare duty bearers accountable.

Dr. Mrs. Charity Binka, Executive Director of AMMREN, highlighted the critical role of the media in health advocacy. She urged journalists to serve as a voice for the voiceless, ensuring that the country’s health systems are continually scrutinised and improved for the betterment of the population.

"The media is a powerful tool in advocating for change, and with the right information, journalists can bring to light the pressing health issues that need urgent attention," Dr. Binka said.

After the training, the journalists will use their platforms to disseminate accurate and timely information to the public, enhancing community engagement in the UHC agenda.

The training also focuses on building participants' skills in conducting field trips to follow up on CSC activities, advocating for quality healthcare, and using scorecard platforms to push for transparency in healthcare service delivery.

This initiative is expected to amplify the role of communities in monitoring healthcare services while also strengthening the media’s ability to highlight gaps in health service delivery.

The journalists' work will further empower communities to demand improved healthcare, aligning with Ghana’s roadmap to achieving UHC.

This collaborative effort showcases the growing recognition of the media’s influence in fostering a culture of accountability, particularly in healthcare delivery, as Ghana strives toward universal health access.