By Maxwell Awumah
Ho, May 15, GNA – Dr Eunice Brookman-Amissah, a Member of the Council of State, has emphasised the need to prioritise sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in national health systems to ensure policies reflect public health evidence and human rights rather than ideology or folklore.
She called for critical measures to integrate healthcare services through data-driven systems, include neglected groups such as the youth in policy frameworks, and mobilise human and financial resources to address gaps in the implementation of SRHR initiatives.
Dr Brookman-Amissah made the call during the 10th JEAM Leadership Lecture Series held in Ho in memory of Professor John Evans Atta Mills, former President, who established the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).
The lecture was on the theme: “From Knowledge to Action: Bridging Africa’s Reproductive Health Gap – The Role of Health Training Institutions.”
She urged stakeholders to familiarise themselves with international, regional and national policy frameworks, integrate them into educational curricula, and support the implementation of existing policies through established standards, protocols and guidelines.
The Dr Brookman-Amissah, who is a former Ambassador to the Netherlands, also called for increased investment in primary healthcare workers, especially nurses, midwives and mid-level providers, to enhance task-sharing and bring services closer to communities.
She advocated the establishment of one-stop centres to improve data collection and utilisation, as well as strengthen logistics systems in the health sector.
Dr Brookman-Amissah noted that although maternal mortality was declining due to improvements in healthcare and reproductive services, progress remained slow, particularly in Africa, where stronger commitments and investments were required.
On Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), she said it was designed to provide scientific, accurate and age-appropriate information to the youth, but many parents and teachers lacked the capacity to guide and counsel young people effectively.
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, she said more than 40 million abortions occur globally each year, with 22 million considered unsafe.
Africa alone records about 6.2 million cases, representing 28 per cent of the global figure.
She added that unsafe abortions account for about 30 per cent of maternal deaths, with approximately 1.8 million hospitalisations recorded annually in Africa, imposing significant economic and health burdens on women and families.
Dr Brookman-Amissah emphasised that although abortion is legal in Ghana under specific conditions, many citizens remain unaware and erroneously perceive all forms of abortion as illegal.
She explained that Ghana’s abortion law, as amended in 1985 (Article 29, Section 58 of the Criminal Code 1960), permits abortion in cases such as rape, incest, and threats to the physical or mental health of the mother, provided it is performed by a registered medical practitioner in approved facilities.
“It is about the health and rights of all people, especially the poor and the young. We need knowledge and information to improve the sexual and reproductive health and lives of men, women and young people in Ghana and across Africa,” she said.
She called for intensified action to reduce unsafe abortions and urged government to prioritise national resources for reproductive health services to save lives.
Reflecting on the legacy of the late President Mills, she described him as a humble, hardworking and dedicated servant of the nation, recounting their early association from Achimota School.
Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, said the University continued to uphold the vision of its founder, noting that it was growing in relevance and impact while setting both national and international standards.
She said the institution’s values and ethical framework aligned with the ideals of Professor Mills, an accomplished academic, statesman and leader.
Prof Aziato reaffirmed UHAS’s commitment to becoming a leading health research institution dedicated to community service through innovation in research, teaching and societal engagement.
Dignitaries present included Professor Kodzo Gavua, Chairman of the Governing Council of UHAS; Professor Frank Edwin, Pro-Vice Chancellor; Professor Fred Newton Binkah, Founding Vice-Chancellor; Professor John Gyapong, immediate past Vice-Chancellor; and Captain George Kofi Nfodjo (Rtd), Ghana’s Ambassador to Togo, as well as faculty, lecturers and students.
Meanwhile, the Governing Council and Management of UHAS conferred an Honorary Doctorate on Dr Brookman-Amissah in recognition of her resilience, commitment and contributions to Ghana’s health sector and beyond.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Maxwell Awumah
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