The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, has held its 2025 Health Sector Performance Review under the theme, “Free Primary Healthcare: Closing Equity Gaps and Accelerating Universal Health Coverage.”
The review, held at the Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi,aimed to evaluate achievements, ensure accountability, and outline strategies to improve healthcare delivery across the region.
The annual exercise forms part of a sector-wide approach to assess progress against key health targets, including reducing mortality rates and advancing universal health coverage. It also provides a holistic assessment of the sector using administrative data to measure year-on-year performance.
Speaking at the event, the Ashanti Regional Health Director,Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, welcomed stakeholders and highlighted critical thematic areas such as non-communicable diseases, supply chain management, and maternal and perinatal mortality.
After presenting the region’s performance, challenges, and way forward, he raised serious concerns about the state of the Regional Medical Store.
“The Regional Medical Store is a congested area,” he stated.
He explained that the facility, constructed in 1978, was designed to serve a much smaller population.
“At the time, Ghana’s population was about 8.5 million, and Ashanti Region had roughly 1.3 million people. Most of the hospitals we see today were not in existence, and many were only health posts,” he noted.
Dr. Adomako Boateng stressed that with the significant increase in health facilities and population growth, the current warehouse can no longer meet the region’s needs.
“The warehouse we have now in Ashanti Region can no longer serve the purpose for which it was created. There is the need to either construct a new one or expand the current infrastructure,” he appealed.
Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe the Director Of Public Health of GHS who represented the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service commended health workers in the region for their dedication and resilience despite numerous challenges.
“Despite systemic operational gaps, constrained resources, and often challenging working environments, you have continued to deliver essential health services to your communities with professionalism and sacrifice,” he said.
He further acknowledged the contributions of Medical Directors, District Directors, Medical Superintendents, Physician Assistants, Community Health Nurses, Midwives, and all frontline staff.
Also addressing the gathering, the Chief of Nkwantakese, Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, who represented the Asantehene and also the Chairman of the program, emphasised the need for actionable outcomes from the review.
“At the end of this performance review, we expect practical solutions that will strengthen the health system and improve service delivery across the Ashanti Region,” he urged.
The review brought together key stakeholders, including Medical Directors, District Directors, Medical Superintendents, Physician Assistants, Community Health Nurses and Midwives, development partners, traditional authorities, clergy, and other sector players.
By; Nana Yaw Owusu (0240782639).
