The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has stressed that the success of surgical procedures and the prevention of avoidable deaths depend on the readiness of health systems, not just the presence of hospital buildings.
Speaking at the 66th Annual Conference of the West African College of Surgeons at UPSA Auditorium in Accra, Akandoh said patient safety relies on reliable oxygen supply, functional theatres, sterilisation systems, intensive care support, blood availability, resilient supply chains, timely diagnosis, and strong infection-prevention protocols.
“These are not secondary conditions. They are the infrastructure of safety, and without them, even the best surgical skills are placed at risk,” he said.
He explained that improving surgical outcomes requires both targeted investment and strict operational discipline. Health facilities must be fully functional, staffed, equipped, and governed to meet required standards.
“Our goal is to ensure that facilities are not just built but are ready to deliver safe care every day,” Akandoh stated.
The minister highlighted the critical role of the West African College of Surgeons in accreditation and standard-setting, urging the safeguarding of training platforms while expanding supervision and improving quality across the surgical pipeline.
He added that increasing surgical capacity is not only about producing more specialists but also ensuring quality through structured mentorship, competency-based assessments, clear supervisory frameworks, and consistent clinical governance.
“Capacity is not only about numbers. It is about quality, mentorship, and accountability,” he said.
Akandoh also called for stronger collaboration among national colleges, universities, and teaching hospitals across West Africa and stressed the need for inclusion, especially gender balance, in surgical training and leadership.
Touching on access to care, the health minister said financial barriers often prevent patients from seeking timely treatment, causing conditions to worsen and interventions to become more complex.
“Too often, clinical need is defeated by financial barriers, and patients arrive when conditions have already deteriorated,” he said.
He outlined government efforts to strengthen health financing, including the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative, the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, “Mahama Cares,” which supports treatment for chronic and specialised conditions such as cancer, kidney disease, and cardiovascular illnesses.
“Sustainable financing must be linked to workforce development and long-term system capacity,” Akandoh said.
The minister welcomed the focus on artificial intelligence and innovation in surgical training, urging that such initiatives move beyond conference discussions into training, governance, and service delivery. He called for stronger research collaboration to generate locally relevant evidence and improve patient outcomes.
He also addressed the challenge of health worker migration, stressing the need for improved working conditions, clear career progression, continuous professional development, and structured regional engagement to strengthen institutions without weakening local capacity.
“The evidence is clear; the need is urgent, and the professional capacity in this room is immense. What remains is the collective decision to act and the discipline to implement,” he said.
Akandoh assured participants of the Ministry of Health’s support for partnerships and innovations emerging from the conference while congratulating the local organising committee and wishing delegates productive deliberations.
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