Health & Education
From The Report: Ghana 2022
View in Online Reader

Ghana’s health sector has made significant progress over the last two decades, with access and insurance coverage growing since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed some long-standing weaknesses in the system, most notably the lack of hospitals and larger medical centres outside big cities. But the pandemic also pushed Ghana to forge ahead with digitalisation efforts, improving online access to medical services and digitalising records. Digitalisation is also on the rise in the education sector, notably with the government’s Education Strategic Plan 2018-30, supported by high public spending on education. Greater oversight and reporting by new government institutions and accreditation boards are expected to improve the quality of schooling at all levels, as well as support crucial areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

This chapter contains an interview with Delese Mimi Darko, CEO, Food and Drugs Authority.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Top of the agenda: New policies and infrastructure projects aim to boost access to care and increase local pharmaceutical manufacturing
OBG
plus

Ghana’s health sector has made significant progress over the last two decades, with access and insurance coverage growing since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The Covid-19 pandemic exposed some long-standing weaknesses in the system, most notably the lack of hospitals and larger medical centres outside big cities. However, new government infrastructure plans, such as the Agenda 111 hospital project announced in 2021, are expected to improve accessibility to health…

Interview

Healthy trade: Delese Mimi Darko, CEO, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), on ensuring safe medications and encouraging exports
OBG
plus

Interview:Delese Mimi Darko What was the role of the FDA in the approval process for Covid-19 vaccines? DELESE MIMI DARKO: The FDA, as a regulatory agency, is responsible for ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of all food, drugs and medical products available in Ghana, including vaccines. During emergency situations like the Covid-19 pandemic, national medicines regulatory agencies have a responsibility to evolve their measures to ensure speedy approval of relevant products, including…

Overview

In focus: The government seeks to further boost access to basic education, as well as improve the quality of teaching and vocational training
OBG
plus

The education system in Ghana has undergone significant reform over the last 60 years, with the government introducing a plethora of policies since the country gained independence in 1957 to enhance access to free and compulsory basic education. Literacy rates and education in certain subjects have improved as enrolment rates at the basic level edge closer to universal coverage. However, challenges remain, including teacher shortages in core subjects, inadequate infrastructure and teaching materials,…