Dr Felix Anyah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-bu teaching hospital has won the Health Award at Impact Africa Summit held on 30 November, 2017 at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra, Ghana, under the theme ”Sustainable Development Goals-Building Partnerships”.

The award was presented by the Country Representative for WHO, Dr Owen Laws Kaluwa. In a brief statement Dr Kaluwa indicated that the 17 SDG goals were interrelated and linked and was therefore important that all 17 SDG goals are prioritized and effective strategies implemented to achieving them all.

He said that the SDGs were not for the United Nations but for all people in the world and appealed to government officials, the diplomatic community, development partners, business executives, academia, the media and civil society groups to play their part in the implementation and realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.

With particular reference to SDG Goal 3 which focuses on health and Wellbeing, Dr Kaluwa emphasized that the attainment of Universal Health Coverage as the pivot in achieving SDG goal 3. Primary Health Care is the foundation of UHC and all stakeholders including the communities should work together in support of this, he added. He also mentioned that the business of ensuring health and wellbeing for all was not the sole responsibility of Government. He therefore made a passionate appeal to the Private Sector to get involved in playing a critical role in the attainment of universal health coverage.

In a citation read by Dr Kaluwa, Dr Felix Anyah was being celebrated for his meritorious contributions to healthcare delivery in Ghana and its impact on the development agenda of Ghana. He was also commended for his contributions to private healthcare delivery and a role model to many young doctors whom he inspires with his high ethical standards, integrity and truthfulness.

In response, Dr Anyah indicated that his guiding principles in life have always been truthfulness, integrity, humility and hard work. He said these are qualities inherent in everyone and must be exhibited in various ways as we strive to attain the 17 SDG goals as a country.

Background:

The Impact Africa has become Ghana’s biggest platform for deliberations and discussions on the country’s commitment to achieving the SDGs and also celebrates illustrious sons of the land contributing to the socio-economic development agenda of the country.

The summit further presents a unique opportunity for networking and updates on investment opportunities in Ghana while serving as a marketing avenue for businesses to build a top of mind brand awareness among government officials, diplomats, heads of local and foreign businesses, professionals from various fields, civil society groups, etc.

Following from the 2016 edition, where it was unanimously agreed that; the social progress and economic growth of Ghana and the African continent should be a shared responsibility built on PARTNERSHIPS, the 2017 Impact Africa Summit’s Keynote Address was on the subject “Building partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals – AFRICA”.

The address among others established “Partnerships” as an underlining factor for success of the SDGs in Ghana and Africa, identified the various sectors and stakeholders in creating partnerships for the SDGs, suggested innovative approaches of partnerships in the implementation of the goals and also proposed models of partnerships, accountability and stakeholder engagement.

A high level panel also took their turn to explore how Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) can be channeled as a source of financing the SDGs in Ghana. The panel focused their discussion on establishing a link between FDIs and the SDGs, identifying priority sectors and opportunities for foreign investments and also proposed measures to be put in place to create an enabling environment for investors.

Four other personalities were honored and celebrated for their contributions to the socio- economic and development agenda of the country in Education, Leadership and Governance, Entrepreneurship and Media and Communication as the Impact Africa Summit: Ghana 2017 Laureates.