By Isaac Arkoh, GNA
Cape Coast, Oct 31, GNA – The Association of Health Administrators of Ghana (AHSAG), has called on President John Dramani Mahama, to as a matter of urgency, impose an immediate, temporary ban on all forms of mining activities across the country.
The Association’s demand stemmed from the undeniable, severe risks unregulated mining activities pose to public health, environmental sustainability and the very fabric of mining communities.
Reverend Ezekiel Amadu Daribi, President of AHSAG, said mining, particularly small-scale operations, had inflicted widespread contamination of otherwise crystal clear water bodies, devastated aquatic ecosystems and poisoned drinking water sources.
The health implications of these, he said were unqualifiedly alarming, ranging from respiratory illnesses and skin diseases to long-term chronic conditions due to exposure to toxic chemicals commonly used in these mining processes.
“The adverse effect of this on our health, our water bodies, and the people’s systemic livelihood is enormous and irreversible.
“The continued allowance of mining activities threatens to overturn decades of public health progress, and compromises the future well-being of Ghanaian citizens.
“Only a firm, decisive ban can halt the alarming degradation currently unfolding in the country, to enable the government to craft and enforce rigorous regulatory frameworks to safeguard health and the environment,” Rev Daribi said at the 48th Annual Conference and Continuing Professional Education Programme of AHSAG in Cape Coast.
The conference was on the theme: “Optimizing Internal Resources Mobilisation for Infrastructure and Equipment Management; The Position of the Health Service Administrator.”
The forum of Ghana Health Service (GHS) Administrators provided the platform for professional engagement and knowledge sharing, on resources mobilisation and prudent management of infrastructure and equipment at various health facilities.
Dr Kwasi Addai-Donkoh, Chairman National Council of AHSAG, lamented the dwindling external funding and uncertainty, the imperative to harness and optimize internal resources by health administrators.
He said infrastructure and equipment formed the backbone of any functional health system, but without strategic management, they become liabilities rather than assets.
However, he urged health administrators to be innovative to leverage internal resources to address the shortfalls in the management of health infrastructure and equipment as a critical area of investment that required unfathomable thinking and action.
“This is where Health Service Administrators stand tall. As custodians of operational efficiency, Health Service Administrators are inimitably positioned to lead the charge in resource mobilisation.
“Whether through innovative budgeting, strategic partnerships, improved revenue generation and retention, or data-driven asset management, our role is no longer peripheral-it is central.
“We must reimagine our facilities not just as service delivery points, but as dynamic ecosystems capable of generating, managing, and reinvesting resources. This calls for a shift in mindset from gatekeeping to stewardship, from routine management to visionary leadership,” he explained.
The Central Regional Director of Ghana Health Administrators, urged health administrators to always scrutinise contract, particularly Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) some of whom she described as fleecing the country.
She stressed the need for them to avoid the misuse of utilities and remain professional in the discharge of their duties at all times.
Dr Kwasi Addai-Donkoh, Chairman of the National Council of AHSAG, expressed concern over declining external funding for health and its uncertainty, emphasising the urgent need for health administrators to effectively harness and optimize internal resources.
He said infrastructure and equipment were vital to any functioning health system, but without strategic health management, they risk becoming liabilities instead of assets.
In that light, Dr Addai-Donkoh, called on health administrators to adopt innovative approaches to utilise internal resources, addressing gaps in managing health infrastructure and equipment demanding bold thinking and decisive action.
“Health Service Administrators hold a crucial role. As guardians of operational efficiency, they are uniquely positioned to lead in resource mobilization.
“Whether through creative budgeting, strategic partnerships, enhanced revenue generation and retention, or data-driven asset management, our role has evolved from peripheral to central,” he stated.
Dr Alberta Adjeibey Biritwum-Nyarko the Central Regional Director of the GHS, urged health administrators to carefully review health contracts, particularly PPPs and MoUs, warning that some arrangements exploited the country.
She stressed the importance of avoiding waste in utilities, put idle resources to prudent revenue ventures by instilling discipline and professionalism at all times.
Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, Central Regional Minister, in a brief remark, commended the group for holding forth for nearly five decades of service to Ghana.
He reiterated government’s commitment to mobilise resources to complete health infrastructure, institutions and pay NHIS claims among others, to improve the well-being of the citizenry.
GNA
Edited Alice Tettey/Lydia Kukua Asamoah