The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has officially confirmed his appointment as the Ambassador for Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare Innovation on the Board of the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA) Association.
This strategic role positions him to lead efforts in promoting technological advancement and innovation across healthcare systems in West Africa, with a focus on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and cross-sector collaboration.
In a formal acceptance letter addressed to the leadership of HCOWA and received on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Professor Kaba conveyed his profound appreciation for the appointment and reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering commitment to advancing digital transformation in the healthcare sector.
According to him, the call to serve as an Ambassador for Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare Innovation at HCOWA is a timely and welcoming one. “Ghana cannot afford to be left behind in the technological evolution transforming global healthcare,” he emphasized.
He added, “As a country with a strong foundation in medical excellence and innovation, this role presents an opportunity to position Ghana at the forefront of AI-driven healthcare in the sub-region.”
He further emphasized that Africa, particularly the West African sub-region, stands to gain immensely from the adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare, as it has the transformative potential to address long-standing challenges such as diagnostic accuracy, disease surveillance, and hospital management.
According to him, the integration of AI presents practical and scalable solutions that can significantly strengthen healthcare systems across the region, and he expressed confidence that the partnership with HCOWA offers a strategic platform to drive such innovations and position West Africa as a leader in AI-driven healthcare advancements.
Professor Kaba added that the Ghana Health Service is ready to provide leadership, knowledge, and institutional support for the successful implementation of these initiatives. “This appointment is not just about representation. It is about building strategic frameworks that ensure real impact on the ground, and I am fully committed to that,” he added.
During the initial meeting with the Director-General before the confirmation, the President of HCOWA Association, Sihong Jiang, explained that the Association is poised to transform Ghana’s healthcare sector through Artificial Intelligence and would fully roll out its partnership.
She emphasized that while her plans are ambitious, they will require the collective effort of the local community, and one of the key institutions in this endeavor is the Ghana Health Service.
Strengthening AI-Driven Healthcare in West Africa
Professor Kaba’s appointment comes at a time when the West African sub-region is intensifying efforts to embrace Artificial Intelligence as a critical tool in improving healthcare delivery, efficiency, and accessibility. His new role as Ambassador places him at the center of this regional transformation, where he is expected to provide high-level strategic guidance and advocacy in AI integration.
As part of his ambassadorial responsibilities, he will work closely with public and private institutions to promote the adoption of AI-powered solutions in healthcare systems. His focus will be on improving patient care through AI-enhanced diagnostics, hospital management systems, and digital public health interventions. He will also help build partnerships between public health institutions and AI-driven medical enterprises, while strengthening Ghana’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation on the continent.
Professor Kaba will serve as a key representative of HCOWA at major international events, including the 2025 China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo, where he will promote AI applications in areas such as disease surveillance, imaging technology, and traditional medicine.
Prof. Kaba Confirms Partnership to Co-Host the 2025 China-West Africa Medical Expo
In addition to confirming his role on the HCOWA Board, Professor Kaba announced that the Ghana Health Service will serve as co-host of the 2025 China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo and National Centralized Procurement and Project Cooperation Summit.
The summit, a flagship initiative of HCOWA, will bring together leading Chinese medical enterprises, West African health stakeholders, and policymakers to forge new partnerships in healthcare investment and innovation.
According to him, the Ghana Health Service welcomes the opportunity to partner with HCOWA in co-hosting the upcoming 2025 China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Expo and National Centralized Procurement and Project Cooperation Summit.
The 2025 Expo will feature a dedicated summit on Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, alongside strategic discussions on centralized procurement and project cooperationThe event will explore the integration of AI departments in healthcare facilities, AI-powered medical imaging, AI-driven traditional Chinese medicine, AI-powered national disease control systems utilizing big data, and the AI-enhanced medical supply chain. Professor Kaba’s leadership is expected to guide the discussions and contribute significantly to shaping policy outcomes and regional partnerships.
He emphasized that the participation of the Ghana Health Service will ensure that the country’s experiences, standards, and innovations are shared with the broader West African region. “Given the Ghana Health Service’s pivotal role in shaping national healthcare policy and implementation, we are eager to partner with HCOWA to co-host this important event,” he stated.
Profile of Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea
Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea is a seasoned neurosurgeon, public health physician, and academic with over 26 years of experience in Ghana’s healthcare system. He is best known for his leadership in health systems development, innovation, and emergency response. His career spans several high-level roles including Director of the Institutional Care Division of GHS, Deputy Director of the National Ambulance Service, and currently, Director of Special Duties. He led the successful separation of conjoined twins in Ghana and introduced virtual reality and telemedicine applications in neurosurgery, positioning Ghana as a pioneer in these medical technologies in Africa.
Beyond clinical practice, Professor Kaba is an influential figure in health governance and diplomacy. His work in strategic planning, health systems strengthening, and digital innovation has earned him both national and international recognition. As a professor and advocate for social development, he has contributed significantly to the fields of health and education, championing progressive public health policies and research.
Commitment to Regional Growth
In concluding his statement, Professor Kaba assured the HCOWA Association of the Ghana Health Service’s unwavering support and dedication to regional progress in healthcare. He noted that the Service remains committed to driving impactful change and fostering innovation across the sub-region.
“HCOWA Association should be assured of the Service’s support and commitment to regional growth in the medical sector as well as to driving impactful change across the sub-region,” he stated.
His appointment is widely viewed as a major step toward advancing the role of innovation in healthcare and ensuring West Africa remains at the forefront of technological adoption in the health sector. With Professor Kaba on board, HCOWA is poised to deepen collaboration, foster innovation, and deliver stronger healthcare systems across West Africa.