STAR-Ghana Foundation Hosts National Convening on Healthcare Accountability in Tamale
The STAR-Ghana Foundation has organized a critical national conference on tracking government commitments in the health sector through an accountability forum in Tamale, Northern Region. The event brought together key stakeholders, civil society organizations (CSOs), and experts to strategize on monitoring healthcare commitments made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. Discussions focused on enhancing advocacy, improving service delivery, and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all Ghanaians.
The forum was held under the Inclusive Elections & Accountable Governance in Ghana Project (Phase III) of the Gender Rights and Empowerment Project (G-REP), with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It was a platform for key stakeholders—including health sector practitioners, advocacy groups, and the media—to foster evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue.
The convening aimed to: Analyze opportunities for leveraging CSOs’ evidence-based advocacy in healthcare service delivery, strengthen civil society’s role in monitoring government performance and advocating for reforms, develop strategies for tracking government commitments to healthcare improvements.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure government commitments are fulfilled. “As citizens of Ghana, we have the mandate to ensure that the work being done responds to our needs and concerns. It is important to act collectively from various backgrounds to engage the process of ensuring all citizens have access to quality healthcare,” he stated.
Raymond Danso, Portfolio Manager for Social Services at STAR-Ghana Foundation, noted that the workshop aims to foster continuous engagement among CSOs. He highlighted the importance of coordination among civil society groups to develop an accountability framework that supports the government in implementing its manifesto promises on health, social protection and education. He added that the forum would help identify key areas where CSOs can collaborate with the government to monitor progress in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Yaa Nyarkwah Gyesu, from the Directorate of Community Relations and Outreach at the University for Development Studies (UDS), lauded the forum and stressed the importance of tracking the government’s manifesto commitments. She noted that effective monitoring of health sector pledges would lead to improved healthcare delivery in Ghana. She also urged communities with health facilities to serve as watchdogs to ensure optimal service delivery.
The forum underscored the significance of civic engagement in holding the government accountable for its healthcare commitments, ultimately working towards a more transparent and effective health sector in Ghana.
Ibrahim Angaangmeni Alhassan/Zaaghana.com
