Ghana has chalked another milestone in continental health leadership after Mrs. Mabel Kissiwaa Asafo, Acting Director of the Health Promotion Division
Ghana has chalked another milestone in continental health leadership after Mrs. Mabel Kissiwaa Asafo, Acting Director of the Health Promotion Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), was elected Vice President of the Africa CDC’s Health Promotion, Community Engagement and Social Behaviour Change Community of Practice in Africa (HPCE-SBC CoPA) for the West Africa Region.
The election took place during the RCCE Capacity Strengthening Workshop held in Accra over the weekend.
The four-day programme brought together representatives from all 15 countries under the supervision of the Africa CDC West Africa Regional Coordinating Centre, underscoring the region’s commitment to building resilient health systems.
Mrs. Asafo’s elevation marks a dual recognition of her expertise and Ghana’s growing stature in Africa’s health governance.
At the continental level, she already serves as Chairperson of the HPCE-SBC CoPA, a role in which she provides strategic direction and encourages collaboration across Africa’s five regions.
Her additional mandate at the regional level consolidates her leadership position, ensuring that the voice resonates strongly in shaping policies on health promotion and community engagement.
The HPCE-SBC CoPA was established under the Africa CDC to strengthen collaboration among experts, practitioners, and policymakers, particularly in mobilizing communities, driving behavioural change, and building trust in public health interventions.
These roles proved vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, when misinformation and vaccine hesitancy highlighted the importance of health communication and behavioural science.
By assuming this leadership position, Mrs. Asafo will help West Africa harmonize strategies for community-based health interventions and strengthen regional capacity in areas such as health promotion, risk communication, and behaviour change.
Health experts say her election is not only a personal achievement but also a recognition of the contribution to continental health development.
The Ghana Health Service has over the years taken a frontline role in Africa CDC programmes, including pandemic response initiatives, disease surveillance, and capacity building.
Observers note that the growing presence in continental health bodies is consistent with its historical role in African integration.
Just as the country was central to the establishment of the African Union’s precursor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), it is now playing a leading role in institutions driving the continent’s health security agenda.
For Ghana, Mrs. Asafo’s election is both symbolic and strategic — a moment of pride for the country and an opportunity to further shape the future of public health on the continent.
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