Jhpiego, in partnership with the Ministry of Health Ghana and the Ghana Health Service, has organized a Media Exchange Dialogue aimed at strengthening collaboration between health stakeholders and media practitioners.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes for women, children, and families across the country.
According to Jhpiego Ghana, the Media Exchange serves as a platform for shared learning and dialogue, bringing together key actors in both the health and media sectors.
The session also facilitated the co-creation of an Annual Media Action Plan for Health Promotion, designed to align media engagement with national health priorities while amplifying critical public health messages.
Speaking at the event, Dr Paa Kokobin Fordon highlighted the organization’s long-standing presence in Ghana, noting that Jhpiego has been operating in the country since 1978 in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health, and is approaching 50 years of service.
He explained that Jhpiego, founded in the early 1970s by Theodore King of Johns Hopkins University, is committed to ensuring that all women receive quality healthcare regardless of their location.
Its mission focuses on improving family health and ensuring that where a person lives does not determine their chances of survival.
He added that over the years, Jhpiego’s work in Ghana has spanned several health areas, including adolescent and youth health, infection prevention, family planning, reproductive health, malaria control, global health security, maternal and newborn care, HIV, tuberculosis, immunization, and women’s cancers.
The organization’s approach centers on strengthening healthcare systems and promoting equitable access to quality care.
Also speaking at the event, Dr Joyce Kalu Amoah, Acting Medical Superintendent and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Coordinator at the Tolon District Hospital, noted that maternal, newborn, and cancer-related illnesses remain major causes of illness and death in Ghana, many of which are preventable.
She attributed poor health outcomes in part to misinformation and late reporting, and called on the media to play a more active role in educating the public with accurate and timely information. She emphasized the need for open discussions to address misconceptions and improve awareness on key health issues such as cancer, maternal health, and malaria.
Dr. Amoah also expressed gratitude to partners for their continued support in areas such as screening, treatment, and patient navigation, which she said has significantly improved healthcare delivery in the region.
On pandemic preparedness and health security, Dr Sarkodie urged the media to intensify efforts in raising awareness about zoonotic diseases and their prevention.
He encouraged journalists to support accurate outbreak reporting and early alerts, counter misinformation and stigma, and help build public trust and community engagement during health emergencies.
Overall, participants stressed the critical role of the media in promoting public health through responsible reporting, awareness creation, and sustained engagement with communities.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
