About One Hundred and Six (106) health workers in the North East Region have been honoured by the State for their remarkable contribution and commitment towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, introduced the Presidential Awards initiative to acknowledge the exceptional role of frontline health workers and institutions (both state and nonstate) who dedicated themselves to their work and offered their invaluable service in such critical time to combat the pandemic.
At a short presentation ceremony last Thursday, July 13, the North East Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, Dr Abdulai Abukari said the awards “are an indication and a testimony to the fact that the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the risk you took and all what you did for mother Ghana and for humanity did not go unnoticed.”
He also urged the Health Professionals to continue to work hard, be more committed and bear in mind and remember that health is paramount and when it comes to fighting diseases of public health importance such as the COVID-19, “None of us is safe until all of us are safe”.
Dr Abdulai recalled that the North East Region recorded its first case in April 2020 and unfortunately the person. Subsequently, he indicated the virus spread to other districts in the region and as at now that the pandemic has been declared over, the region recorded a total of 420 cases out of which 11 died.
“With the introduction of the COVID-19 Vaccine and with the huge support of stakeholders, the North East region took the vaccination very seriously and as at today the coverage of our eligible population stands at 91.3%-the highest among all the 16 regions.”
“I must state emphatically and proudly that we couldn’t have achieved this without the commitment, the hard work and dedication of our gallant frontline Health workers. I therefore want to take this opportunity to urge all health workers to continue putting up your best for the benefit of the vulnerable members of our society” he stated.
Meanwhile, about 19, 557 frontline health workers are expected to receive the Presidential Honors.
Additionally, about 50 individuals and entities have also received the Order of the Volta – Companion awards comprising Members of the National COVID-19 Taskforce, Trustees of the Ghana COVID-19 Private Sector Fund and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Technical Team and Legal Advisors.