GHANA’S High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, has commended Ghanaian doctors and dentists in the UK for their two decades of dedicated service in supporting Ghana’s healthcare system.
She gave the praise at a grand anniversary dinner held in Milton Keynes, to mark 20 years of the Ghanaian Doctors and Dentists Association UK (GDDA-UK).
Over the years, GDDA-UK has significantly contributed to Ghana’s health sector through donations of medical equipment and supplies, professional training for healthcare workers, and impactful community health outreach.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the association provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to hospitals such as LeKMA and Yendi Government Hospital.
They are currently fundraising to support the establishment of a special maternity unit at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to make childbirth safer for mothers and babies.
GDDA-UK also maintains a formal collaboration with Ghana’s Medical and Dental Council, focusing on knowledge-sharing and professional exchange.
Mrs. Benson praised the association’s professionalism, compassion, and leadership, stating that strong nations are built by strong communities, and health interventions must reach even the most remote areas.
“Ghana’s health focus is on community-based services like the CHPS programme,” she noted. “Progress in healthcare must benefit all Ghanaians — not just a few.”
She also explained that the Mahama administration had prioritised access to healthcare for all through its commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
This included the adoption of digital health tools, improved care for pregnant women and children, and a free basic healthcare programme to support the most vulnerable.
A special initiative, MahamaCares, was also introduced to provide financial support for patients battling critical illnesses like cancer. In addition, partnerships with organisations such as Mercy Ships allowed many Ghanaians to benefit from life-saving surgeries.
Mrs. Benson emphasised that when countries invest in women’s health and leadership, they build stronger futures. She called for greater involvement of women in healthcare decision-making and leadership.
She expressed her appreciation to Dr. Jacqueline Bamfo, President of GDDA-UK, and the association’s members for their hard work over the past 20 years. “Ayekoo” (well done), she said, celebrating their contribution to both the UK and Ghana’s healthcare systems.
Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson encouraged stronger collaboration between Ghanaian professionals at home and abroad to improve health outcomes, adding, “Health is not just the absence of illness — it is also about dignity, opportunity, and hope.”
She urged continued support for GDDA-UK’s fundraising efforts, especially its project to assist the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital’s maternity unit, which she noted is directly helping to save lives.
She ended her remarks with a heartfelt message: “God bless GDDA-UK, and God bless Ghana.”
Source: Nationaltymes.com
