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The Presidential Envoy for Inter-Faith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, over the weekend represented the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, at the opening of the 2025 Annual Conference of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), held at the Capital View Hotel in Koforidua. Delivering the Chief of Staff’s keynote address, Afriyie-Ankrah conveyed warm greetings from the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama and commended CHAG for its sustained contribution to national health delivery, especially in rural and underserved communities. The conference was held under the theme: “Sustaining Christian Identity, Ethics and Values in Health Systems Strengthening.” Julius Debrah noted that the theme was timely and appropriate, calling for renewed commitment to the values that have shaped Christian health services for over a century. He stated that prior to the establishment of the Ministry of Health, Christian missions laid the foundation for healthcare in Ghana by establishing hospitals, clinics and training centres that delivered “not just medicine, but compassionate service.” He stressed that health infrastructure and equipment alone cannot guarantee a strong system, adding that integrity, professionalism and respect for human dignity are essential. “A resilient health system is built on ethical leadership, trust, and compassion,” he said. “These are not only Christian values but national values necessary for sustainable development.” The government, he noted, recognises CHAG as a strategic partner, accounting for nearly one-third of healthcare services nationwide. “This partnership between Church and State is one of Ghana’s quiet success stories,” he said, assuring that the Government would continue to collaborate with CHAG through policy dialogue, fair resource allocation and capacity building. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to implementing the Free Primary Health Care Programme, aimed at eliminating financial barriers to basic healthcare. “No mother should die in childbirth because she cannot afford medical care. No child should suffer from malaria because treatment is out of reach. No elderly person should be turned away due to lack of funds,” he emphasised. He called on CHAG to support the programme through expanded community outreach and continued commitment to non-discriminatory service. Touching on the conference theme, Afriyie-Ankrah urged CHAG institutions to remain intentional in safeguarding their Christian identity in an evolving world, advocating for transparency, accountability and ethical leadership. “Your Christian identity is not merely a label; it is your light,” he said, referencing Matthew 5:16. He commended CHAG for its decades of service, sacrifice, and innovation and encouraged members to remain steadfast in upholding high ethical and professional standards. “Building an ethical and effective health system is a shared duty,” he said. “May God bless CHAG, our health workers and our nation, Ghana.” Watch the promo to GhanaWeb’s latest documentary, which uncovers the evolution of ‘kayamata,’ an exploitative practice fueled by love charms and manipulation, titled, “The Dark Side of Kayamata,’ below: The wait is over! The GhanaWeb Excellence Awards 2025 is officially launched. Let’s Celebrate impact, innovation and excellence across Ghana. Who deserves to be honoured this year? Nominate now 👉 https://ghanaweb.com/ghanaexcellenceawards/nominate
