PHM Ghana's Experience in Activism for Health Development

This paper will share the experience of PHM-Ghana in its activism for health development.

Ghana faces challenges in terms of human resources for health (low numbers, poor skill mix, and inequitable distribution). While health insurance provides a basic benefit package, coverage has stagnated leaving more than one-third of the population without access to services.  Whilst overall poverty has declined in recent years, poverty has actually increased in the northern belt of the country in the same period. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases is rising amidst continuing high levels of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV and TB.

Civil society in Ghana is contributing to service delivery; research and advocacy; focusing on underserved communities and defending minority groups; and implementing catalytic activities. CSOs have contributed to national policies including health insurance, HIV and AIDS, water, maternal health, and recently the public health bill. Gathering evidence, including tracking the use of resources, has contributed to policy advocacy.  Key progress has been made through mass mobilization around access to ARVs and against the privatization of water.

Participation in IPHU courses has contributed to improved analysis of health and development policies; and more effective advocacy strategies in Ghana and regionally. Involvement in Global Health Watch and WHO-Watch has contributed to stronger links between local/national and international issues impacting on health. Policy analysis and new alliances have highlighted the needs of people in developing countries generally, including Ghana. Conversely, these links have also enabled more effective monitoring of Ghana’s performance against its international health commitments.

Access to information has been a major challenge to the work of many CSOs in Ghana; this may improve with the right to information bill.  There is a need for greater availability of official documents from the Ministry of Health and improved collaboration with CSOs.