Ghana has taken center stage in advancing Africa’s public health preparedness, as leading health officials, technical experts, and key stakeholders from across the continent gathered in Accra for a crucial regional consultation on strengthening National Public Health Agencies (NPHAs).

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The high-level meeting, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region on February 5, focused on reinforcing the role of NPHAs in ensuring the continent’s health security.

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With public health emergencies becoming more frequent and complex, NPHAs are instrumental in disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory diagnostics, and risk communication. However, their effectiveness depends on robust governance, sustainable funding, and strategic collaboration. The consultation provided an opportunity for African public health experts to refine governance models and explore innovative financing mechanisms to enhance the efficiency of NPHAs.

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Speaking at the opening session, Dr. Frank Lule, Officer in Charge at WHO Ghana, emphasized the broader impact of the meeting. "This meeting goes beyond defining technical capacities; it's about rethinking governance models, strengthening partnerships within emergency management,” he stated, urging participants to contribute meaningfully to the discussions.

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A key focus of the gathering was the autonomy of NPHAs while ensuring close coordination with Ministries of Health and other relevant institutions. Through a series of in-depth discussions, attendees assessed strategies to improve technical capacity, optimize resource allocation, and fortify regional cooperation between NPHAs, WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and other global health organizations.

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Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, highlighted the importance of the initiative in addressing Ghana’s own public health challenges. "As Ghana faces pressing public health challenges, this programme comes at a crucial time. I look forward to the insights that will emerge from this meeting to strengthen our response," he noted.

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The consultation concluded with a renewed commitment to empowering NPHAs and enhancing their role in Africa’s public health framework. Key outcomes included:

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A comprehensive assessment of the current state of NPHAs in Africa and their contributions to health emergency preparedness.

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Refinement of core operational frameworks, integrating African perspectives and experiences.

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Strengthened partnerships between NPHAs, WHO, Africa CDC, and other key stakeholders to foster regional collaboration.

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Development of actionable steps for WHO, governments, and partner organizations to enhance NPHAs' effectiveness in health emergency preparedness and response.

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By fostering stronger governance structures and strategic alliances, the consultation has laid the groundwork for a more resilient health emergency preparedness system in Africa. As the recommendations from the meeting take shape, NPHAs are expected to play a more proactive role in safeguarding public health and responding to future crises with greater efficiency and coordination.

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