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From March 10–14, 2025, a team from NHS England was in Ghana for a Managed Education Partnership (MEP) scoping mission. In collaboration with the Mental Health Authority (MHA), World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana, and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UKFCDO), the mission aimed to decentralize healthcare training beyond Accra and Kumasi, enhance service delivery, and improve Ghana’s health outcomes.
The visit featured high-level engagements, including meetings with key stakeholders (including Ministry of Health (MoH), regulators, service providers, academia, professional groups) , a courtesy calls on the British High Commissioner and the Minister of Health, and discussions with the leadership of Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital. The mission culminated in a workshop, focused on workforce transformation and capacity-building, followed by a post-workshop review and final wrap-up with the MoH.
The Managed Education Partnerships, developed by NHS England, facilitate enduring collaborations between the NHS and global healthcare systems. These partnerships prioritize broad systemic relationships over individual professional exchanges, co-developing sustainable learning and development opportunities. Existing MEPs include partnerships with Thailand, Montserrat, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Recognizing the critical need for strong Human Resources for Health (HRH), the UK and Ghana are collaborating to enhance knowledge exchange, research development, and specialized training. The MEP aligns with Ghana’s decentralization agenda and focuses on key health priorities, including mental health. By leveraging expertise from both nations, the initiative seeks to strengthen professional ties, develop healthcare leaders, and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), and decent work (SDG 8).
Discussions on establishing an MEP in Ghana began in 2021, with UKFCDO providing initial funding. Ghana’s MoH identified mental health as a priority area, given the need for expanded specialized mental health training beyond Accra and Kumasi. Virtual workshops in November 2023 set the foundation for the July 2024 technical scoping visit, which assessed potential MEP sites and engagement strategies.
During the March 2025 mission, the NHS team visited key institutions, engaging with stakeholders to evaluate training needs and potential collaborations. Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Coast and the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital’s will be the initial facilities for the partnership at the initial stage for the knowledge exchange component of the partnership to improve training. The workshop provided a platform for Ghanaian stakeholders to refine the MEP’s framework, ensuring alignment with national priorities.
With strong partnerships in place, the next phase of the MEP will focus on finalizing the action plan, securing long-term funding, and implementing tailored training programs. This collaboration between Ghana and NHS England marks a significant step in strengthening healthcare workforce development, ensuring equitable access to quality mental health services, and fostering sustainable improvements in Ghana’s health system.
For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Country Office
Email: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393
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