Haruna Iddrisu and Dr. Louisa Satekla
Ghanaian Dental Surgeon and FDI Global Ambassador for World Oral Health Day, Dr. Louisa Satekla paid a courtesy call on Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education at his office in Accra.
The meeting focused on fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the World Dental Federation (FDI) to promote oral health education in schools across the country.
During the discussions, Dr. Satekla emphasized the urgent need to address oral health challenges among Ghanaian children, highlighting the prevalence of dental diseases such as dental caries and gum infections, which often affect students’ overall well-being.
She called for strategic interventions to integrate oral health education into the school curriculum, ensuring that children develop lifelong habits of proper oral hygiene.
Dr. Louisa also proposed the official recognition of March 20th as World Oral Health Day in Ghanaian schools, urging the Ministry of Education to promote classroom discussions, awareness campaigns, and interactive sessions with dental professionals.
She emphasized the need for practical oral health programs that engage students, teachers, and parents while ensuring schools have access to basic oral hygiene tools.
She also encouraged government partnerships with private organizations to provide resources and training for better oral health education.
Additionally, she advocated for a Sugar-Free School Policy to regulate snacks and drinks in school canteens, replacing sugary beverages with healthier alternatives like water and fruits.
In response, Haruna Iddrisu acknowledged that dental health and good oral hygiene practices do not receive enough attention in Ghana. He expressed his commitment to exploring avenues for incorporating oral health education into Ghana’s education system.
He recognized the importance of early preventive care and assured Dr. Satekla that the Ministry would collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Dental Association, to implement sustainable oral health initiatives.
“The health of our children must be a top priority, and oral health plays a crucial role in their overall well-being.
The Ministry of Education is fully committed to working closely with key stakeholders to integrate oral health education into our schools and ensure that every child has access to preventive dental care,” Iddrisu affirmed.
Iddrisu also took the opportunity to congratulate Dr. Louisa Satekla for making Ghana proud and reaching this significant milestone in her career.
He commended her dedication to promoting oral health awareness and her continuous efforts to improve global dental health standards.
Last month, the FDI World Dental Federation announced Dr. Louisa Satekla as its Global Ambassador for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year, ahead of the 2025 World Oral Health Day (WOHD) campaign.
She will lead efforts to amplify this year’s message that oral health is foundational to mental resilience and physical vitality.
She will also spearhead initiatives targeting underserved populations, reinforcing FDI’s mission to bridge global oral health disparities.
These initiatives will include educational programs, interactive community events, and social media engagement to spread accessible oral health practices.
