The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has described the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) as an indispensable pillar in the country’s healthcare system and reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepen its partnership with the organisation.
He said CHAG currently delivers nearly one-third of healthcare services across Ghana, particularly in remote and underserved communities, describing the collaboration between the state and faith-based institutions as “one of the nation’s quiet success stories.”
In a speech read on his behalf by the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, at the opening of the 2025 CHAG Conference yesterday, Mr Debrah said the long-standing partnership between the church and government remained vital to achieving equitable healthcare delivery nationwide.
He recalled that Christian missions played a foundational role in Ghana’s health system long before the establishment of the Ministry of Health, establishing hospitals, clinics, and training schools that served both physical and spiritual needs.
“Mission hospitals did not just provide medicine; they provided ministry,” he noted, adding that CHAG’s work had given meaning to the national goal of “health for all.”
The Chief of Staff assured CHAG of continued collaboration through improved resource allocation, policy support, and capacity building.
He said government viewed CHAG as a strategic partner in implementing key national health initiatives, including the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, aimed at removing financial barriers to essential medical services.
“This programme will ensure that no mother dies in childbirth because she couldn’t afford a consultation, and no elderly person is turned away because their pension couldn’t cover their prescription,” he said.
“Your facilities are embedded in communities, and your ethos aligns with service without discrimination.”
Mr Debrah emphasised that government’s vision was not only to expand infrastructure but also to build a healthcare system grounded in compassion, dignity, and accountability. Achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, he said, was impossible without CHAG’s continued leadership and presence in rural communities.
He further highlighted the importance of maintaining moral and ethical foundations alongside technology and infrastructure, urging CHAG institutions to remain beacons of integrity, transparency, and compassion.
“A resilient health system is built by people of integrity, institutions of trust, and enduring values,” he stated.
Looking ahead, he encouraged CHAG to continue integrating faith and innovation through community outreach, early detection campaigns, and holistic care.
He commended the association for its unwavering service, saying:
“Let CHAG remain the moral compass of healthcare delivery, where service meets sacrifice and compassion transforms communities.”
By CLIFF EKUFUL
🔗 Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
