Strengthening the Partnership Between Government and Faith-Based Health Institutions
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has emphasized the government’s dedication to enhancing its collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), highlighting the organization’s critical role in the nation’s healthcare system. This partnership is viewed as a cornerstone in delivering equitable healthcare across Ghana.
At the opening of the 2025 CHAG Annual Conference in Koforidua, Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, spoke on behalf of the Chief of Staff. He underscored the significance of the long-standing relationship between the church and the state in achieving balanced healthcare access throughout the country. He noted that CHAG provides nearly one-third of healthcare services, particularly in remote and under-served regions, calling this collaboration one of the nation’s “quiet success stories.”
Mr. Debrah pointed out that Christian institutions have been instrumental in shaping Ghana’s health system long before the establishment of the Ministry of Health. These institutions built mission hospitals, clinics, and training schools that addressed both physical and spiritual well-being. “Mission hospitals did not just provide medicine; they provided ministry,” he said. “Your work has given meaning to the national goal of ‘health for all’ and has proven that faith-based values and public policy can work hand-in-hand to uplift lives.”
The Chief of Staff assured CHAG of continued cooperation through resource allocation, policy support, and capacity building. He stated that the government sees CHAG as a key partner in implementing national health policies, including the Free Primary Healthcare Programme. This initiative aims to eliminate cost barriers for essential 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. And here is where CHAG comes in – your facilities are embedded in communities, and your ethos aligns with service without discrimination.”
Debrah stressed that the vision is not merely about expanding facilities but building a system rooted in compassion, dignity, and accountability. He emphasized that achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030 cannot be accomplished without CHAG’s ongoing leadership and presence in rural communities.
Ethics and Moral Leadership in Health
Mr. Debrah highlighted the importance of reinforcing moral and ethical foundations alongside investments in infrastructure or technology. He encouraged CHAG institutions to uphold their reputation for integrity, transparency, and service grounded in Christian compassion. “A resilient health system is not built by equipment alone; it is built by people of integrity, institutions of trust, and values that endure,” he remarked, urging faith-based institutions to remain leaders in ethical leadership within the health sector.
He also emphasized the need to shape the next generation of health professionals who combine technical skills with genuine compassion. He described CHAG’s identity as “not a label but a light.”
Future Healthcare Built on Faith and Innovation
While acknowledging the impact of modern technology and evolving social dynamics on healthcare, Mr. Debrah called for maintaining CHAG’s spiritual foundation. He encouraged the organization to continue leading outreach programs, early-detection health campaigns, and community-focused interventions that blend technical skill with human connection.
Looking ahead, he urged CHAG and the government to remain united in their mission, noting that achieving national health outcomes will require shared responsibility, empathy, and resilience. “Let CHAG continue to be the moral compass of healthcare delivery — where service meets sacrifice, where healing meets holiness, and where compassion transforms communities.”
He commended CHAG for its unwavering role in Ghana’s healthcare landscape and encouraged the association to continue shining its light in service to the nation.