Media Partnership Needed to Boost Public Health Awareness – GHS
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has called for stronger collaboration with the media to enhance public health awareness and improve health outcomes across the Greater Accra Region.
The appeal was made by the Greater Accra Regional Director of GHS, Dr. Robert Amesiya, on the sidelines of the Jhpiego Regional Exchange held at Tomreik Hotel in Accra, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Dr. Amesiya emphasised that communication gaps continue to limit the effectiveness of health interventions, particularly in a region as diverse and rapidly expanding as Accra. He noted that while significant investments have been made in healthcare delivery and interventions, the impact of these efforts is often undermined by inadequate dissemination of information to the public.
According to him, strategic engagement with the media is essential to ensure that accurate, timely, and accessible health information reaches all segments of the population.
“Reaching a growing and diverse population like Accra requires a deliberate partnership with the media to ensure people are well-informed and able to make the right health decisions,” he indicated.
He stressed that the media plays a critical role in shaping public understanding, influencing behaviour, and supporting national health campaigns. Strengthening this partnership, he explained, would help bridge information gaps, promote preventive healthcare practices, and improve overall public responsiveness to health interventions.
Dr. Amesiya further noted that misinformation and low awareness levels remain key challenges in addressing public health issues, ranging from communicable diseases to lifestyle-related conditions. He said a more coordinated communication strategy involving both health authorities and media organisations would significantly enhance outreach efforts.
The GHS believes that improved collaboration will not only increase the reach of health messaging but also build public trust in health institutions and interventions. This, in turn, is expected to contribute to better health-seeking behaviour and improved outcomes across communities.
The call comes at a time when public health systems are increasingly recognising the importance of communication as a core component of healthcare delivery, particularly in urban centres where population growth and diversity present unique challenges.
Dr. Amesiya concluded that sustained engagement with the media will be critical in strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system, ensuring that interventions are not only implemented effectively but also understood and embraced by the public.
