KOICA, USA sign US$10.85m MoU … to improve Ghana’s public health
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United States of America (USA) have signed a US$10.85 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to improve Ghana’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats.
It is the second phase of the Global Health Security Agenda Project (GHSA Phase II) expected to be implemented from 2023 to 2027.
It would focus on four core areas: laboratory system, surveillance system, emergency preparedness and response system, and workforce development.
As part of the MoU, KOICA will provide funding through the government of the Republic of Korea with technical expertise from the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC).
At the launch of the project in Accra, yesterday, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Park Kyongsig, signed the MoU on behalf of his country whilst the USA ambassador to Ghana, Ms Virginia Palmer, signed for her government.
Mr Kyongsig said that the Government of Korea had already collaborated with the Government of Ghana and the US CDC from 2018 to 2023, to support the strengthening of health security in Ghana, which resulted in an excellent partnership with tangible outcome.
He said Korea, stood as a committed partner for the people of Ghana, by sharing experience and expertise in building a robust health security system “as the Republic of Korea has a long history of overcoming public health challenges”.
“We believe that by working together, exchanging knowledge, and fostering collaboration, we can create a safer and healthier future for both nations.
As it seeks to improve the capacity of all public health references laboratories, expand the sample referral system, build capacity on integrated disease surveillance and response, and community event-based surveillance and strengthened antimicrobial resistance management,” Mr Kyongsig noted.
He said the project was a continuation of its phase l, with US$7.5 million, implemented from 2018 to 2023, and that, the first phase saw a significant achievement with more than 100 epidemiologists trained from all 16 regions of the country.
The US Ambassador, Ms Palmer said, her country was excited to partner with the Korean government to improve healthcare delivery for Ghanaians, stressing that, the USA had supported Ghana with various initiatives to ensure quality healthcare.
She said the project would equip public health officers with the requisite knowledge, to enable them to deliver their mandate of maintaining a health system that would support their community.
The Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, thanked KOICA and US CDC for their continual support in improving Ghana’s healthcare delivery.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
