“The citizenry relies on the media for infor­mation and we believe that with you in mind as partners, the message of health education can reach our rural communities on the need to lead healthy lifestyles,” the new Direc­tor-General of the GHS, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said.

He made the call on Friday in Accra in an engagement with senior media practitioners to solicit their support to meet the aspiration of his administration as the D-G of the GHS.

Professor Akoriyea said the power of the media could not be overemphasized, saying the recent cholera and meningitis outbreak were one classic example in which the media reportage could paint a gloomy picture of the situation or carry a message that would go a long way to ameliorate it.
    

He said the doors to the GHS were opened to the media for any information that it sought to put out there to promote the health of Ghanaians.

Professor Akoriyea said he would hold monthly press briefings to give an update on the country’s health situation and the way forward to ensure no single Ghanaian was left behind in accessing quality and affordable healthcare delivery.

In order for effective flow of information, he said the GHS’s website would be reactivat­ed and serve as a major source of news for journalists to enhance their work.

News of disease outbreaks across the continent and beyond would also be available with updates and control measures being put in place to avert further spread.

Professor Akoriyea was full of praise for journalists, especially those in the regions who have had to brave the storm to travel to hard-to-reach areas to report the news as they break.

“Not only that, the journalists are also able to speak with experts on the subject matters in case of a disease outbreak to inform the nation and influence policy and decision,” he added.

To a question on the pulling out of USAID from the country, a situation which was likely to have a negative impact on the country’s health and other sectors, Prof. Akoriyea said the issue would be discussed at the national level now that the Minister of Health has been sworn in by President John Dramani Mahama.

 BY NORMAN COOPER