Activities in Ghana

The project for the Scaling up of CHPS Implementation in the Upper West Region aims to eliminate disparities in access to health services, especially in the Upper West Region where health index is low. Resident health care providers will expand community-based health planning and services (CHPS) to facilitate access to “basic medical service" in this impoverished region.

• Record of Discussion signed on: December 16, 2005
• Total Amount of Aid: About 450 million yen
• Executing Agency: Ghana Health Service

This project is enhancing “Ghana Health Service's capability to administer CHPS policies" to expand functional CHPS zones in the Upper West Region. Specifically, a facilitative supervision system is being introduced for CHPS activities and improving relevant knowledge and skills among community health officers (CHO). A referral system is also established among CHPS, health center and hospitals. Furthermore, the procedures for the community people to participate in the project are revised with an aim to disseminate CHPS within all regions of Ghana.

Having commenced in March 2006, the project has provided 20 separate training courses for CHOs in the Region till August 2009. With those efforts, 140 CHOs are actively working so far and the regional health administrators have been eligible to train CHOs in their own. The local communities work on “Community Health Activity Plans (CHAP)" and raise health awareness, for example, they establish a fund for supporting CHO, community emergency transportation system (CETS) and others. The Health Improvement Program for Residents of the Upper West Region is also developing a strategic program tied to grant aid and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer projects. That program provides equipment and also brings about a synergetic effect with grassroots support activities to attain the better access to the basic health services.