The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has thrown its full weight behind the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA) Association as the association rolls out a bold Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative to revolutionize Ghana’s healthcare system.
During a courtesy call on Friday, March 28, 2025, on the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, at the GHS Headquarters in Accra, the HCOWA delegation introduced its five-point AI-powered transformation plan, aimed at enhancing diagnosis, disease surveillance, traditional medicine, and the medical supply chain across the country.
Professor Kaba described HCOWA’s initiative as “a transformational tool and a game-changing intervention that aligns perfectly with Ghana’s vision of a modernized healthcare system.”
He emphasized the need for Ghana to fully embrace technology and not lag behind in global medical advancements.
He noted that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a real and practical solution with immediate impact.
“AI is a tool that supports us in making quicker, more accurate medical decisions,” he said.
He added, “Through AI technology and advanced medical equipment, I was able to lead a team of professionals in the successful separation of conjoined twins. It was a historic achievement for Ghana’s medical field, made possible through AI-assisted analysis and planning.”
The Director-General assured HCOWA of GHS’s full commitment to supporting the Association’s AI roadmap, adding that the Service is excited to collaborate on the initiative in line with Ghana’s health laws and policies.
Leading the HCOWA delegation was its President, Madam Sihong Jiang, who outlined the Association’s five core AI integration components for transforming healthcare delivery in Ghana: AI-Powered Medical Facility, AI-Powered Medical Imaging System, AI-Powered Traditional Medicine, AI-Powered National Disease Control, and AI Medical Supply Chain.
According to her, the AI-Powered Medical Facility initiative will strengthen hospital systems through smart diagnostic equipment like In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) and POCT (Point of Care Testing) tools, as well as Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) that support data-driven decisions and efficient patient management. These will be backed by computational power centers to enable fast and precise diagnostics.
She added that HCOWA’s AI-Powered Medical Imaging System would support hospitals in enhancing diagnostics through automated image analysis and remote expert interpretation — even allowing hospitals to send X-rays and CT scans to international experts for swift and accurate reporting, thanks to HCOWA’s imaging teams in China.
On traditional medicine, Madam Jiang said HCOWA seeks to digitize and enhance Ghana’s rich heritage of indigenous healing by combining it with AI. The goal, she explained, is to bring traditional medicine into the modern scientific fold while preserving its value.
Addressing disease prevention, she highlighted HCOWA’s AI-Powered National Disease Control System, which features a centralized laboratory server, community-grade testing centers, real-time data monitoring, and giant data visualization screens to help track and respond to outbreaks swiftly.
In improving the medical supply chain, she noted that AI will be used to monitor stock levels, predict demand, and improve delivery timelines, ensuring that essential medical supplies are always available where needed.
The HCOWA delegation also included Chief Director David Tai, Vice President Prince Dogbey, and Secretary Believe Domor. The two parties agreed on the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen and improve healthcare systems across Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Professor Kaba reaffirmed his readiness to collaborate with HCOWA to move Ghana’s health sector into a new digital era, noting that this partnership offers a shared opportunity to not only solve existing challenges but also anticipate future needs.
About the Ghana Health Service
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) stands as a cornerstone in Ghana’s pursuit of improved healthcare delivery for all its citizens. Established in 1996 as part of the country’s Health Sector Reform, the GHS operates under the Ministry of Health with a clear mandate to implement national health policies and provide comprehensive health services across the country. Since its inception, the GHS has worked tirelessly to ensure that health services are not only accessible but also of high quality and responsive to the needs of the population.
At the core of the GHS is its mission: to promote good health, reduce illness, and ensure access to affordable healthcare. This mission underscores the organization’s commitment to health equity and the overall well-being of the people of Ghana. The vision of the GHS is equally ambitious, to provide and manage accessible healthcare services, particularly at the district and sub-district levels, in line with national health strategies and policies.
The mandate of the Ghana Health Service encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities. It is tasked with delivering and managing public health services, implementing national health policies, and increasing access to good quality care across the country. In doing so, the GHS develops appropriate strategies and sets technical guidelines that align with Ghana’s national health objectives. Moreover, the Service plays a vital role in managing health-related resources effectively to ensure sustainability and efficiency.
One of the key functions of the GHS is its emphasis on primary healthcare, particularly at the district and sub-district levels. This decentralized approach allows health services to be closer to the people, especially those in rural and underserved communities. It reflects a people-centered model of care, where preventive and basic healthcare needs are addressed as a priority. Through the network of regional and district health directorates, health centers, clinics, and community-based planning services, the GHS reaches millions with essential services such as immunizations, maternal and child health, disease control, and health education.
In addition to delivering services directly, the GHS collaborates with other governmental and non-governmental agencies to contract out certain health services. This partnership approach enhances the coverage and scope of healthcare delivery, while fostering innovation and shared responsibility within the health sector.
Over the years, the Ghana Health Service has also embraced modernization and technology to improve healthcare outcomes. From disease surveillance systems to the integration of telemedicine and digital health tools, the GHS is gradually transforming how health data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform decision-making.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Issues such as inadequate infrastructure, workforce shortages, and disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas continue to test the resilience of the system. Nevertheless, the GHS remains committed to its mandate and continues to work with local and international partners to address these gaps.
In conclusion, the Ghana Health Service plays a critical role in shaping the healthcare landscape of Ghana. Through its strategic direction, commitment to accessibility, and focus on primary healthcare, the GHS has made significant strides in improving health outcomes for Ghanaians. As the country navigates emerging health challenges and opportunities—such as artificial intelligence and medical innovation, the Ghana Health Service will continue to be a vital institution in building a healthier future for all.
