Central Regional Coordinating Council

12/10/2026

The Regional Stakeholder Engagements on the Review of the 2026 /30 National Security Strategy has been held in Cape Coast.

The constitutionally four year review document is geared towards ensuring the National Security Strategy (NSS) remained relevant in the context of national policy decisions regarding intelligence operations and operational issues within the National context.

The review process is taking place at a time of significant changes in Ghana’s domestic governance landscape, its immediate sub-regional environment, and the broader global security environment.

The document provides factual, contextual and explanatory information to support accurate, responsible and well informed media reporting.

The enactment of Act 1168, which received a presidential assent on the 31st March 2026, also introduced statutory framework for security sector coordination, intelligence agency mandates , and the operational responsibilities of Regional Ministers under the Regional Security Councils (REGSEC).

In a welcome speech, the Central Regional Minister, Honourable Eduamoah Ekow Panin Okyere observed that the security environment had evolved considerably since 2020, with increasingly assuming complex, transnational and technologically enabled dimensions.

He added that the review provided an important opportunity to reassess vulnerabilities, anticipate emerging threats and build a national security architecture that was more preventive, adoptive, intelligence-led and resilient.

The Regional Minister further called on a contemporary national security to be extended beyond the traditional conception of territorial protection.

Hon. Eduamoah stressed that the rise of online fraud, disinformation, organized crime and other technology-enabled threats demonstrated the need for a whole society approach.

The Regional Minister urged stakeholders to engage with candour, patriotism and professional objectivity. “Let us bring to this forum our local knowledge, institutional experience and practical recommendations”, he added

Security experts touched on the six phases of the National Security Strategy Review process with stakeholders as the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Civil Society, Ghana Journalists Association, the academia, traditional authorities, students, Market leaders,Transport Unions etc contributing with various recommendations provided for a concerted inputs.

09/10/2026

GHANA MEDICAL TRUST FUND HOLDS REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT IN CENTRAL REGION

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) held a regional stakeholders’ engagement in Cape Coast to sensitise stakeholders on the Fund's mandate and operations, popularly known as MAHAMACARE, and to strengthen collaboration to support its effective implementation.

In his welcome address, the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, underscored the fundamental importance of healthcare to human dignity and wellbeing.

He noted that Ghana’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) made financial protection for patients increasingly urgent.

The Regional Minister further cited findings from the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating that hypertension and raised blood glucose remained significant health concerns among adults aged 18 to 69 years, with prevalence rates of 21 per cent and 5.2 per cent, respectively.

Hon. Eduamoah highlighted the significance of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, noting that it was designed to provide sustainable financing for the treatment of chronic diseases, including NCDs, as well as specialised medical services.

He explained that the Fund would complement existing health-financing arrangements and help address medical conditions that could impose severe financial burdens on patients and their families.

The Regional Minister stressed that although the Government bears the primary responsibility for ensuring accessible and quality healthcare, the increasing complexity and cost of modern medicine require a broader partnership involving all stakeholders.

He therefore urged health facilities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), traditional authorities, civil society organisations, the private sector and community leaders to become active partners in the implementation of the initiative.

He called on stakeholders to support public education, identify eligible beneficiaries, facilitate access to healthcare services, promote accountability and provide feedback to strengthen the implementation of the Fund.

Hon. Panyin-Okyere also called on all stakeholders to recognise the important relationship between environmental sanitation and public health, stressing that “good health begins with a clean and safe environment.”

He noted that a cleaner region would contribute to the prevention of avoidable diseases and commended the management of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund for organising the engagement.

The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Hon. Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, called on traditional leaders and stakeholders, particularly those within the health sector, to deepen their collaboration to ensure the success of the MAHAMA CARE initiative.

She also called for effective communication and equitable access to the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2024 (Act 1144).

Hon. Darko-Opoku noted that the initiative had already transformed the lives of several beneficiaries and helped save the lives of many Ghanaians who had benefited from the Fund.

Solidarity messages were delivered by representatives of various health institutions in the Central Region, with several institutions also making pledges to support the MAHAMACARE initiative.

Earlier, the Fund’s delegation paid a courtesy call on the Oguaa Omanhen, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, who welcomed the initiative and commended the Government for introducing the intervention.

He noted that the initiative would help reduce the financial burden of healthcare on citizens and contribute to saving lives.

The stakeholders’ engagement brought together representatives from health institutions, MMDAs, academia, CSOs, traditional authorities and other relevant stakeholder groups to deliberate on ways of strengthening awareness, accessibility and effective implementation of the MAHAMACARE initiative in the Central Region.

09/10/2026

GHANA MEDICAL TRUST FUND PAYS COURTESY CALL ON THE CENTRAL REGIONAL MINISTER

The Administrator & Management of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), popularly known as MAHAMA CARE, paid a courtesy call on the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, at the Banquet Hall, Residency, Cape Coast.

The visit formed part of efforts by the Fund to engage key stakeholders and strengthen collaboration towards the effective implementation and decentralisation of its operations.

Welcoming the delegation, the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, described the initiative as a deliberate intervention by the President to address critical healthcare needs and called on all stakeholders to support its successful implementation.

He urged the Fund’s management to adopt a tailor-made approach to the implementation of the initiative to ensure that the specific needs of beneficiaries were adequately addressed. Hon. Eduamoah also called on the Fund to intensify public education and communication to dispel misconceptions surrounding the purpose and operations of MAHAMA CARE.

He further urged all stakeholders to rally behind the initiative to help save the lives of cancer patients and other beneficiaries requiring specialised medical care.

The Administrator of the Fund, Hon. Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, in her remarks, highlighted the importance of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and stressed the need for its operations to be effectively decentralised to the regional level to enhance accessibility and impact.

Hon. Darko-Opoku called for close collaboration between the Fund and the Regional Coordinating Council to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the MAHAMA CARE initiative. She emphasised the need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to make the objectives of the initiative a reality.

The Administrator further highlighted some of the interventions undertaken by the Fund, which, she said, had transformed the lives of beneficiaries. She disclosed that the Fund had supported the treatment of approximately 160 cancer cases, including 100 children.

She expressed optimism that the Fund would be able to support many more cases in the future and extend its reach to individuals requiring specialised medical care.

Present at the courtesy call were the Regional Coordinating Director, Heads of Departments and Agencies, and representatives of other stakeholder groups.

06/10/2026

3RD RPCU MEETING FOR 2026 HELD
Effective development does not happen in isolation. It requires consultation, collaboration, expertise, and the willingness of stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the processes that shape our institutions and society.

During the 3rd Regional Planning Co-ordinating Unit (RPCU) meeting for 2026, a number of important issues were raised concerning the development of new guidelines and frameworks. The discussions highlighted the need to ensure that the final document reflects practical realities and the experiences of those who will eventually contribute to its implementation.
One key issue raised was the importance of using current and appropriate legal references. Participants emphasized that the relevant legislation must be carefully reviewed to ensure that the guidelines are aligned with existing laws and institutional structures.

The meeting also emphasized the need for active stakeholder participation. Suggestions were made for draft documents to be shared with stakeholders so that they could study them, provide inputs, and make practical recommendations. This approach would ensure that the final guidelines benefit from the knowledge and experience of people working directly within the system.

Another important area discussed was gender mainstreaming. Participants noted that gender remains a critical issue both in Ghana and globally. Where gender considerations were addressed during national stakeholder engagements, these should be reflected in the final framework to ensure that the guidelines are inclusive and responsive.

The Births and Deaths Registry also highlighted challenges associated with reporting. The absence of a coordinated reporting unit was identified as a concern, with a recommendation for a digitized reporting system and a review of specific reporting timelines. Such improvements could help make reporting more efficient, coordinated, and reliable.

Monitoring and reporting were equally identified as important areas requiring attention. Participants called for clear and specific areas of focus within monitoring teams so that improvements can be properly identified, tracked, and implemented.
A Call for Genuine Collaboration
In his closing remarks, the Chief Director and Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr Simon Asare expressed appreciation for the contributions and expertise demonstrated by the stakeholders during the deliberations. He emphasized that their participation should go beyond a mere consultation.

The expectation is that the valuable primary information, recommendations, and practical experiences shared during the engagement will find expression in the new guidelines.
The process should therefore be about more than simply seeking opinions. It should be about building ownership, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring that stakeholders become part of both the development and implementation of the final document.
Our society is constantly changing, and new challenges and perspectives will continue to emerge. For this reason, stakeholder engagement must remain an ongoing process, with doors kept open for further contributions as new developments arise.

The Way Forward
“Strong institutions are built when people are allowed to contribute their knowledge and experience. By listening to stakeholders, embracing diverse perspectives, strengthening reporting systems, promoting gender inclusion, and ensuring that guidelines reflect current realities, we can create frameworks that are practical, inclusive, and sustainable”, he added.

06/10/2026

The central Regional Technical Support Unit of the Ghana AIDS Commission disserminated the national and sub-national estimates for the region.highlighting the current epidemiological situation and its implications for the regional HIV response.

20/08/2026

Come celebrate Central Expo 5th anniversary celebrations at Adisadel College Park, Cape Coast from August 31-September 6, 2026 and enjoy over 300 Exhibitors, Theatre and Comedy Night, Chorale and Borbobor Night, Cooking Competition and Food Festival, Children’s Playground, SME’S Business Clinic, Free Health Screening, Farmers Market, Artistes Night, Mystery Shopping and 5th anniversary AWARDS NIGHT. Call 0246488830, 0244650359 and 0243428563 AND TELL A FRIEND

13/08/2026

15/06/2026

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