The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, in his remarks at the 2025 Annual Performance Review Meeting (APRM), called on staff across all levels of the Service to align efforts towards the effective implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) initiative, emphasizing the need for urgency, coordination, and strategic resource use.

Addressing participants at the two day meeting focused on presentations and reflections on Divisional performance, the Director-General highlighted resource mobilization as a top priority. He reiterated his commitment to securing the necessary funding to drive key health interventions, particularly those under the FPHC policy, while urging all Divisions and programmes to be proactive in identifying and leveraging available funding opportunities.

He noted that achieving the objectives of FPHC would require a shift in responsibilities and stronger collaboration between the Ghana Health Service and key partners, including the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG). According to him, such collaboration is critical to expanding access and ensuring continuity of care at the primary level.

A key area of concern raised was the need for a reorientation on the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) concept, where he stressed that CHPS remains the backbone of primary healthcare delivery in Ghana and called for renewed focus on its proper understanding and utilization to improve service delivery at the community level.

He further urged staff to adopt a systems-thinking approach in addressing the challenges identified during the review. He explained that the interconnected nature of health system issues demands coordinated and integrated responses, rather than isolated interventions.

Encouraging a results-driven mindset, the Director-General charged staff to “hit the ground running”, translating insights from the APRM into concrete actions that will improve health outcomes across the country.

He also emphasized the importance of efficient resource utilization, calling on all levels of the Service to maximize the use of existing resources while maintaining accountability and value for money.

In a move to strengthen unity and institutional identity, the Director-General encouraged staff to embrace the wearing of the Fugu and the GHS corporate cloth, noting that these symbols reflect pride, cultural heritage, and a shared commitment to the Service.

The 2025 APRM brought together Divisional Directors, Deputy Directors, Programme Managers, Data Managers, and key stakeholders from the GHS Headquarters to review performance, share lessons, and set the tone for the year ahead.

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