President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has highlighted Ghana’s health journey since independence in 1957 at the Indonesia-Africa Forum held on Monday, September 2 after delivering a message on the importance of health as a cornerstone of economic development.
Speaking under the theme “Wealth through Health: Ghana’s Progressive Journey to Development and Prosperity,” President Akufo-Addo outlined how Ghana’s focus on health reforms has been integral to the nation’s broader strategy for sustainable growth.
President Akufo-Addo began by emphasizing that the wealth of a nation is fundamentally tied to the health of its people. “A healthy population is not just a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity,” he asserted. The President elaborated on how investing in health drives productivity, innovation, and economic stability, laying a strong foundation for sustainable development.
Highlighting Ghana’s health journey since independence in 1957, President Akufo-Addo shared the country’s achievements in expanding healthcare access and improving public health outcomes. A key milestone in this journey was the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003, which currently covers over 56% of Ghana’s population. This makes it one of Africa’s most successful health insurance programs, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of socio-economic status, have access to quality healthcare.
President Akufo-Addo also spoke about the significant reductions in maternal and child mortality rates, achieved through targeted health policies and the decentralization of healthcare services. “We have reduced maternal mortality from 580 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 per 100,000 live births in 2023. Likewise, under-five mortality has dropped from 127 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 41 per 1,000 live births in 2023,” he noted. These improvements reflect Ghana’s commitment to enhancing health outcomes, particularly in underserved rural areas.
