The Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has called upon the Service’s Public Relations Officers (PROs) to lead innovation in health communication to establish a new benchmark in Ghana. Speaking at the inaugural GHS Public Relations Conference held on July 11 in Accra, Prof. Akoriyea emphasized the importance of fostering strong and respectful relationships with key stakeholders—including the media, clients, and internal teams—to build trust, transparency, and enhance the quality of service delivery.
“In a truly responsive health system, communication is not optional; it is essential,” he said. He stressed that timely, accurate, and relatable messaging is critical, whether addressing disease outbreaks, promoting maternal health, delivering immunizations, or countering misinformation.
Prof. Akoriyea urged PROs to communicate in the language of the people by utilizing trusted community platforms such as Community Information Centres (CICs) and amplifying voices that encourage positive health behaviors. He called for strategic, creative, and committed efforts to drive transparency, innovation, and collaboration within health communication initiatives, highlighting that PROs are frontline agents where clear information and trust can ultimately save lives.
The conference, themed “Strengthening Health Communication for Impact: The Role of Public Relations in a Responsive Health System,” brought together PROs from across Ghana to share innovative ideas, align communication strategies, and enhance their competencies in public health education, stakeholder engagement, and crisis management. Sessions addressed ethical practices in public relations within GHS, the art of PR, and future opportunities for PR professionals in the health sector.
Among the notable attendees were Dr. Charity Binka, Executive Secretary of the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Chief Executives for Nutrition and Environmental Health (AMMREN); Mr. Jacob Acquah Andoh, Head of Public Relations at GHS; Mr. Gabriel Nii Otu Ankrah, Executive Committee member and Treasurer of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana; and other senior GHS officials.
Dr. Charity Binka, who chaired the event, praised the initiative as a pivotal step toward strengthening Ghana’s health system. She emphasized the critical role of clear and trusted communication in translating health policies into effective public actions and healthier communities. “A health system committed to responsiveness, accountability, and people-centeredness must regard communication as foundational,” she stated.
Dr. Binka lauded the leadership of GHS for recognizing the essential roles PROs play as the system’s voice, shaping public understanding, addressing fears, and building trust, especially in the digital age. She further highlighted the need for proactive, strategic, and culturally sensitive communication to support Ghana’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage, including investments in communication technologies and professional development for PR practitioners.
Mr. Gabriel Nii Otu Ankrah underlined the IPR Ghana’s dedication to promoting professionalism and ethics in public relations. He acknowledged the vital role of effective communication in health sector initiatives such as disease prevention, emergency response, and healthy behavior promotion. Mr. Ankrah expressed the Institute’s readiness to support GHS PROs through training, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
The conference concluded with a call to action for attendees to actively engage, innovate boldly, and envision a health communication ecosystem capable of driving sustainable impact—not only during crises but also in everyday health decisions affecting the wellbeing of Ghanaians.
For more information, contact the Ghana Health Service through the following numbers: 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 0591997513.
Source: Graphic Online
