Ghana Health Service validates public health workforce surge training package
Written by; Regina Bless
The Ghana Health Service (GHS), through the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), has held a two-day validation workshop to strengthen Ghana’s preparedness to rapidly deploy skilled personnel during public health emergencies.
The workshop, held from September 9 to 10, 2026, at the GHS Head Office Conference Room in Pantang, Accra, focused on validating the Public Health Workforce Surge Training Package to ensure that it is technically sound, practical and suitable for building a competent, deployment-ready workforce.
The programme brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, various GHS divisions, departments and regional structures, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), National Ambulance Service (NAS), Ghana Police Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD), Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), academia, development partners and other government institutions.
The broad participation reflected the importance of a multisectoral and One Health approach to public health emergency preparedness and response.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, stressed the need for Ghana to maintain a well-prepared and deployment-ready workforce capable of being rapidly mobilised when emergencies exceed routine response capacity.
He explained that effective workforce surge management requires the ability to identify gaps, mobilise personnel with the appropriate competencies and effectively manage them throughout the deployment process.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe expressed appreciation to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners for their technical and financial support towards strengthening Ghana’s public health emergency preparedness and response systems.
Development partners also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts to build a resilient public health workforce.
Speaking on behalf of the US CDC, Dr. Michael Adjabeng emphasised the importance of developing sustainable systems and competencies that can facilitate the timely mobilisation and deployment of personnel during emergencies.
Representing AFENET, Alice Sallar Adams commended the collaborative approach adopted in developing the training package and reaffirmed the organisation’s continued support for strengthening emergency preparedness and workforce surge capacity in Ghana.
The Head of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Lawrence Lartey, provided an overview of the training package, explaining that it translates the National Public Health Workforce Surge Strategic Plan, 2026, and the approved National Public Health Workforce Surge Standard Operating Procedures, Volume II – WS-SOP Series, into practical knowledge, skills and competencies.
He noted that the competency-based training approach goes beyond theoretical knowledge by focusing on what participants should be able to apply and demonstrate during actual public health emergencies.
During the two-day workshop, participants reviewed the curriculum, training presentations, practical scenarios and exercises, facilitator guidance, assessment tools and participant job aids.
The materials were also cross-checked against the National Public Health Workforce Surge Strategic Plan and approved Standard Operating Procedures to ensure consistency and practical relevance.
Participants subsequently presented their findings for cross-review and agreed on a number of revisions aimed at improving the technical quality, usability and effectiveness of the training package.
The workshop concluded with recommendations to refine and finalise the package ahead of a planned five-day Training of Trainers programme.
The Training of Trainers programme is expected to prepare facilitators who will support standardised national training and subsequent cascade training across the country.
The initiative represents another step towards strengthening Ghana’s capacity to quickly mobilise the right people, with the right skills, at the right time when public health emergencies occur.