Ghana–Korea health collaboration deepens as Acting GHS Director-General receives diplomatic service medal

Ghana’s profile in global health diplomacy has received a significant boost as Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), was honoured with the prestigious Diplomatic Service Medal at the 2025 Development Cooperation Day celebration in Seoul, South Korea.

The event, held under the theme “Together for Global Prosperity,” brought together international development leaders and policymakers.

South Korea’s Prime Minister, Lee Jae-Myung, presented the award to Dr. Akoriyea in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and the Republic of Korea, particularly in health sector cooperation.

Dr. Akoriyea, widely regarded as one of Ghana’s foremost health administrators, has carved a distinguished career spanning more than two decades.

His leadership experience includes serving as Director of Institutional Care at the GHS, Clinical Auditor and Deputy Director at the National Ambulance Service, and currently Acting Director-General of the Service.

His work has driven critical reforms in emergency and critical care, hospital management, biomedical engineering, patient safety, and health infrastructure development—efforts that have significantly expanded Ghana’s capacity for equitable, people-centred healthcare.

Internationally, he is recognised for championing global health security, digital health governance, and cross-border cooperation, and for his leadership in neurosurgery development in the West Africa sub-region.

One of the defining milestones of Dr. Akoriyea’s career was his role in establishing the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) partnership in Ghana during his time as Director of the Institutional Care Division.

His strategic engagement led to the establishment of the KOFIH Ghana Country Office, now a key platform for Ghana–Korea cooperation in health.

Since its establishment, KOFIH has implemented major interventions across Ghana, including maternal and newborn health improvement programmes, capacity-building for biomedical engineers and clinical staff, support for emergency medical services, disability-friendly facility initiatives, and system-strengthening projects in surveillance, laboratory services, and hospital management.

These interventions, rooted in early collaborative efforts championed by Dr. Akoriyea, continue to improve service delivery and enhance resilience within the country’s health system.

Dr. Akoriyea has also been an active partner of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), collaborating on initiatives focused on health systems strengthening, public health capacity-building, WASH improvements in health facilities, digital innovation, and community-level health programmes.

His ability to align Ghana’s national priorities with development partnerships has helped both agencies deepen their contributions to Ghana’s health sector.

His recognition in Seoul, therefore, symbolizes not only personal excellence but also Ghana’s growing influence in global health cooperation.

It reflects the shared vision promoted by the 2025 Development Cooperation Day theme—advancing collective prosperity through strategic partnerships.

The Ghana Health Service has congratulated Dr. Akoriyea on the honour, describing it as a testament to his dedication, vision, and outstanding service to national and global health development.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith