“We are not just talking about technology—it’s about saving lives.”
That was the emphatic message from Dr. George Henry Acquah, Public Health Physician at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Director of Digital Innovations and Artificial Intelligence at HCOWAA as he addressed stakeholders at the AI SUPPLY Seminar held by the Health Community of West Africa Association in Accra(HCOWAA).
His presentation on leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Ghana’s medical supply chain captured key points in how AI can improve healthcare in the area of logistics, deployment framework and application standards of medical supply systems for Medicines, Reagents, Consumables Supply to an audience of policymakers, health professionals, and tech experts.
Organized by the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA), the seminar aimed to advance conversations around modernizing national and regional medical supply systems. With the theme “Transforming Medical Supply Systems in Ghana: Building AI-Driven Standards for Medicines, Consumables and Reagents,” the event emphasized the urgency of innovation in healthcare.
Dr. Acquah, who doubles as a lecturer of Digital Medicine at the University of Ghana Medical School, Accra College of Medicine, and Family Health Medical School, focused on how AI tools from machine learning to robotics can reduce inefficiencies, eliminate errors, and increase transparency across the entire supply chain.
“Ghana’s health system can no longer rely on manual tracking and reactive planning,” he said. “AI empowers us to predict shortages, detect counterfeits, and allocate resources with precision.”
His presentation detailed how AI can forecast demand, automate warehouse operations, optimize delivery logistics, and even anticipate global disruptions to medical supply availability. He also discussed how block chain technology could improve traceability and compliance across the health system.
“The application of AI in the supply chain isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about accountability and equity. For too long, rural facilities have suffered from gaps we can now close with data-driven tools’, he added.
Another major takeaway was the potential of AI to support decision-making for supply officers and optimize human resource deployment in critical areas. According to Dr. Acquah, “AI systems can provide real-time alerts, recommend purchasing actions, and even help predict staff shortages.”
The seminar featured key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Service Health, Ghana Association of Medical Lab Scientists, Food and Drugs Authority, international partners from different countries who joined via Zoom, and several health professionals. This also presented participants with networking opportunities; fostering collaborations and knowledge sharing.
As Ghana continues to navigate medical supply challenges, the seminar reinforced one resounding idea: AI is not just an option—it is essential for building a resilient, future-ready healthcare system.
Participants concluded that adopting AI-driven solutions and global standards is crucial for building resilient healthcare systems and enhancing patient care. The Health Community of West Africa Association leverages these initiatives to build the capacity of healthcare professionals while setting strategic agendas to improve healthcare across the West African subregion through collaborations and knowledge sharing.
