Accra, Ghana – August 19, 2024.Today, a five-day training session organized by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) commenced at the Miklin Hotel in Accra, Ghana. This event focuses on the use of diagnostic and monitoring tools for health financing and brings together representatives from English-speaking ECOWAS member states.
The opening ceremony featured remarks from Mrs. Noma Noleen Bhebhe, Program Officer for Health Financing (Focal Point) at AUDA-NEPAD. In her address, she emphasized the critical importance of such initiatives, highlighting the need to strengthen capacities in health financing to enhance healthcare systems across the region.
Mrs. Mercy Aburam, representing the Minister of Health and WAHO focal point in Ghana, also delivered a welcome speech. She commended the partnership with WAHO in providing technical support and building the capacities of member states in using diagnostic and monitoring tools for health financing. Mrs. Aburam reaffirmed Ghana's commitment, along with other countries, to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 a goal supported in Ghana by strong political, legislative, and fiscal commitment to health financing system reforms. She urged all participants to take the training seriously, stressing that the skills gained would be essential for racking and monitoring health financing indicators, thereby strengthening access to quality and affordable healthcare for all.
Mr. Sani Aly, Director of Health Planning and Information (DPIS) at WAHO, speaking on behalf of WAHO Director General Dr. Melchior Athanase Joël Aïssi, expressed profound gratitude to the Ghanaian authorities, particularly His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic, the government, and the people of Ghana for their warm welcome and support in hosting this event. He also extended thanks to technical and financial partners, including the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, and USAID, for their support to WAHO in the implementation of activities related to the operationalization of the West Africa Regional Health Financing Hub.
Mr. Aly noted that this training is part of the implementation of the Operational Action Plan of the Regional Health Financing Hub, which has been strengthened within WAHO to serve as the Regional Hub. This initiative aims to support member states in increasing domestic health financing in line with the Addis Ababa Declaration on Health Financing adopted in February 2019.
Over the next five days, participants will familiarize themselves with the contexts and objectives of the Addis Ababa Declaration, the missions of the Regional Hubs, as well as various diagnostic and monitoring tools for health financing. They will also discuss structures dedicated to health financing within the Ministries of Health of member states, national health financing strategies, and approaches for implementing WAHO's support.