Forum unites key stakeholders to discuss Ghana’s health economy

Last month, I had the privilege of joining key stakeholders in Ghana's health sector, and I was inspired by the energy and commitment shared by all to improve the health economy in the country. This was part of a multistakeholder forum convened by AREPI and IFPMA in Accra on 18 September, uniting various stakeholders from Ghana's healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

With a rapidly growing population and an increasing demand for healthcare services in Ghana, it was clear from the start that tackling these challenges can only be done by different parts of the health economy ecosystem in collaboration, each contributing through their expert lens. Having over 50 attendees engage in the multistakeholder forum - from policymakers, health economists, regulators, health insurers, and pharmaceutical leaders - was a case in point of the breadth of expertise needed to help strengthen the country's health economy and improve access to medicines for all Ghanaians. Another key discussion focused on how the healthcare sector can adapt to evolving health needs while upholding ethical practices and ensuring sustainable growth.

Collaborative solutions for Ghana's growing health needs

As Chair of AREPI and through my many years in the pharmaceutical industry, I've seen first-hand the transformative power of collaboration. Time and time again, partnerships between the public and private sectors have proven essential to advancing healthcare in Ghana. Over the years, AREPI has engaged extensively with key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to drive progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). We focus on building partnerships that prioritize sustainable healthcare solutions, and we work closely with government bodies to align our efforts with national health policies. These partnerships play a crucial role in overcoming systemic barriers, enhancing access to care, and supporting long-term improvements in health outcomes. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborative efforts between the private sector and different governmental or continental agencies supported the timely distribution of vaccines and personal protective equipment across Africa, including Ghana.

Public-private partnerships: a pathway to Universal Health Coverage

Our efforts in Ghana are part of a larger movement across Africa toward achieving UHC. This places Ghana's progress within a wider continental and global effort to ensure equitable access to healthcare services. UHC is a key global goal outlined in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to ensure that all individuals receive the healthcare they need without financial hardship. In Ghana, the establishment and expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has been pivotal in increasing access to healthcare services for millions of people. However, challenges such as funding gaps, inefficiencies, and quality control persist, requiring coordinated public-private partnerships. The multistakeholder forum in Accra underscored the critical need for such collaboration to strengthen Ghana's health economy and to align with the broader African ambition of achieving UHC by 2030.

Across Africa, the pursuit of UHC is gaining momentum as countries work to address barriers related to infrastructure, healthcare workforce, and equitable access to essential medicines. The forum reflected how, globally, achieving UHC is closely tied to sustainable healthcare systems that leverage both public and private sector resources. The engagement of international pharmaceutical bodies like IFPMA highlights the importance of regulatory frameworks and ethical practices in fostering innovation. By adopting global best practices and adapting them to local contexts, countries like Ghana can accelerate progress toward UHC, contributing to the overarching global goal of health for all.

Progress, key milestones and future goals

Ghana has made remarkable progress toward achieving UHC by 2030. During the Forum, we heard from the Presidential Advisor on Health that Ghana is on track to achieve 100% enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) within the next two years, a significant step toward ensuring that all Ghanaians have access to essential health services.

Since its inception, the NHIS has expanded its coverage to include a broad range of services, including maternal and child healthcare, chronic disease management, and emergency care. Recent reforms, such as digital registration and electronic claims processing, have been introduced to improve efficiency, streamline service delivery, and reduce administrative burdens on both patients and providers. Increasing the role of private health insurance without prejudice to the public initiatives could help spread the burden of health financing and improve access. While challenges remain and hamper faster progress-such as funding gaps and quality control of healthcare services-there is a shared commitment from public and private sectors to make continuous efforts to address these challenges.

Industry experts at the forum, including Dr. Karim Bendhaou of IFPMA, stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between the private sector and government agencies is vital for success, especially in the areas of drug distribution, healthcare delivery, and the development of healthcare infrastructure. These partnerships can help bridge existing gaps in access to essential medicines across the continent.

At the same time, by creating a regulatory environment that encourages responsible innovation, countries like Ghana, whose Federal Drug Authority is operating at WHO maturity level 3, can better address healthcare challenges and increase the availability of life-saving medicines. Additionally, the need for streamlined regulatory processes to fast-track the approval and distribution of innovative medicines was discussed, as this is a critical factor in ensuring timely access to the latest treatments.

A collective commitment to UHC

As the forum concluded, there was a shared sense of optimism and determination among participants. Participants left with a renewed commitment to working together to achieve UHC and enhance the health outcomes of all Ghanaians.

This served as a reminder that collaboration is not just a pathway to progress - it is essential to the future of healthcare in Ghana, and across the African continent. As we look to the future, it is clear that the only way forward is through continued partnership. Together, we can overcome the challenges ahead and build a health economy that serves everyone.

Author

• Philip TagbotoChair, AREPI

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