The Chief Pathologist of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Prof Agyeman Badu Akosa has been appointed the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, according to Ministry of Health sources.

Prof. Akosa, the immediate past President of the Ghana Medical Association assumed duty at his new post at the beginning of March 2002. Born on 25th December, 1953 Prof Akosa bounced onto the Ghanaian Health scene somewhere in 1998 after studies in Britain, and unlike other health officials, started condemning the unhealthy eating habit and health practices of Ghanaians.

Among other things Prof Akosa fought the Ministry of Food and Agriculture over the importation of chicken feet into the country for consumption, saying it was not wholesome. He has also been campaigning against the importation of frozen foods like turkey tail, the excessive consumption of alcohol and the proliferation of various herbal concoctions especially those labelled as aphrodisiacs.

Prof Akosa has also been involved in the campaign against HIVDS. Recently he led members of the GMA to organise a nation-wide float to educate the people of Ghana about the deadly disease HIV/AIDS and while in the Eastern Region, he and his team managed to get the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin to undergo an HIV test.

Prof. Akosa was also in the forefront of the tobacco war when the British American Tobacco came under attack for painting the Kaneshie Market in the colours of the company’s cigarette brand. A source at the Pathology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital said in spite of his new position, Dr Akosa would still be working at the pathology department as a result of his love for the job.