The European Commission-funded M-CARE Project officially commenced with a highly successful and inspiring launch in Ghana, marked by a well-attended kick-off meeting held in Accra. Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ghana, the event brought together senior national health leaders, international development partners, CSOs, NCD Patient Advocates, and other key stakeholders in Ghana’s NCD space. This exceptional level of participation reflects Ghana’s strong commitment to improving integrated, patient-centered care for people living with multiple chronic and mental health conditions across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The meeting was honored by the presence of the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, as well as directors from critical MoH departments including Public Health, Technical Coordination, Health Promotion, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Allied Health. Senior leadership from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) also attended, including the Directors of Public Health, Research and Development, and the Institutional Care Division, and the Manager of the Non-Communicable Diseases Control Programme. Their presence signaled unified national support for the project’s goals. Additional participation from the National Cardiothoracic Centre, the National Diabetes Research Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the Ghana NCDs Alliance, Mental Health Authority of Ghana, the University of Ghana, PATH Ghana, WHO Ghana, GIZ-AYA, and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) further strengthened the project’s collaborative foundation.
A key highlight of the meeting was the series of insightful speeches and commitments delivered by leaders from the MoH and the GHS. The Directors emphasized the urgent need for targeted health interventions that simultaneously address the growing burden of NCDs and the often-underrecognized challenges of mental health conditions. They reaffirmed the ministries and agencies’ full support for the M-CARE Project and underscored their collective commitment to strengthening integrated care nationwide. This strong assurance of collaboration from institutions at both national and regional levels provides a powerful springboard for the project’s implementation.
The success of the launch and kick-off meeting also highlights the outstanding leadership and coordination of the Ghana M-CARE team. Special credit goes to Prof. Alfred Doku, Ghana Principal Investigator, whose vision and dedication were central to the achievement of this impactful event. The efforts of Dr. Leonard Baatiema, Dr. Solomon Nyame, and Ms. Pearl Aovare were instrumental in delivering a well-organized, high-quality launch meeting. The strong partnership with the Amsterdam UMC team, particularly Prof. Charles Agyemang, Dr. Erik Beune, and Dr. Wouter Munneke, and the technical engagement of APHRC colleagues, including Dr. Gershim Asiki, Prof. Samuel Iddi, and Dr. Peter Otieno, underscored the project’s collaborative spirit.
The M-CARE Project aims to introduce an innovative, integrated care model that addresses the growing burden of multiple chronic cardiometabolic and mental health conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. This holistic approach is designed to improve continuity of care, enhance patient outcomes, and strengthen health system responsiveness. The strong engagement demonstrated during the launch reinforces the shared belief in the project’s potential to transform healthcare delivery across the region.
As the M-CARE Project launches in Ghana, it marks the beginning of a promising and exciting journey centred on partnership, innovation, and a shared vision for better health. With firm commitments from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, academic institutions, WHO Ghana, and international collaborators and other relevant stakeholders, the project is well-positioned to deliver lasting impact across communities and health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
