Abuja preparatory meeting for the high level ministerial meeting on

health

Accra, March 12, GNA - A three-day high level ministerial meting on health research for developing countries has ended in Abuja with participants defining the African perspective on health research for development.

A statement signed by Mr Kofi Amponsah- Bediako, Government Spokesperson on Social Affairs and released in Accra on Sunday said the meeting was held in recognition of the crucial role of health research in economic development and poverty reduction.

It said communiqu=E9 at the end of the meeting pledged to accelerate efforts to develop and implement appropriate and relevant health research policies at national and regional levels; to foster collaboration and leadership to promote essential national health research in Africa; and to strive to ensure the allocation of "at least two per cent of the national health budget and to further mobilize other resources from national and international resources for health research. The high level ministerial meeting was attended by eleven African countries representing the geographical zones of North Africa, West Africa, East and Central Africa and Southern Africa.

The Abuja meeting was a preparatory one for the main high level ministerial meeting to be held in Accra in June this year. Ghana's delegation to the meeting, led by Major (RTD) Courage Quashigah, Minister of Health, included Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Government spokesperson on Social Services, Dr Frank Nyonator, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPME), Ghana Health Service, Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa, Director-General, Ghana Health Service and Dr Nana Ama Brantuo of WHO Ghana office.