A level 300 student of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) pursing B.Sc. (Midwifery)- Top-Up programme at the Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kumasi, Mr. Emmanuel Atta Boakye, has been adjudged as the Most Outstanding Staff-Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Centres in Ghana for the year 2023.

This was at the maiden edition of the Ghana Health Service Excellence Awards which was held in December 2023 in Accra.

Mr. Boakye took the covetous award for his enormous contribution to improving access to quality healthcare delivery in the country.

In 2022, he also emerged the Most Outstanding Staff for CHPS Centres category in the Ashanti Region.

The Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, who chaired the occasion, said the awards scheme “an integral part of our staff welfare and performance management system, designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding performance at both individual and institutional levels”.

According to him, the awards scheme sought to instill patriotism and professionalism among dedicated health workers as well as to promote a culture of achievement and retain health professionals in deprived areas.

The Director-General remarked that the awards scheme, apart from enhancing customer care and promoting patient satisfaction also aligns with the tenets of the Network of Practice, a GHS flagship programe that strives to maximize performance in the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage.

He revealed that the awards scheme became urgent during the wake of the covid-19 pandemic where our health workers emerged as unsung heroes with their unwavering commitment and resilience despite challenging circumstances. 

Dr Kuma-Aboagye explained that the awards were structured at three levels: District, Regional and National, where winners at the district and regional levels moved respectively to compete at the national level for the grand awards.

The ceremony saw dignitaries like the Deputy Minister for health, Hon. Tina Mensah, and the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo who was the special guest of honor.

In all, 66 health workers, including facilities and development partners, were honoured for their outstanding performance in healthcare delivery.

Source: Documentation and Information Section