Accra, March 29, GNA - Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, outgoing Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, on Thursday officially handed over to his successor, Dr Elias Sory wishing him well in his new appointment.

Prof. Akosa who officially ended his four-year term of office had to spend another year in office while the Ghana Health Council searched for a successor.

Presenting his handing over notes, Prof. Akosa recounted the experience he had acquired when he was the Director-General saying, "today I am leaving the Service stronger in both personnel, delivery of service and commitment."

He expressed his gratitude to the Council for its support and cooperation in making his work a success and appealed to the Council to accord the same support and cooperation to Dr Sory to take the Service to greater heights.

"The Service has a leadership that can and will, with support and co-operation from the workers and Council, move the Service to where it wants to be and I will lend you my support whenever the need arises," he added.

Dr Sory assured the Council that he would live up to expectation and build on what his predecessor had achieved and asked for the support of the Council.

He paid tribute to Prof. Akosa and described him as a man with a charismatic character. He commended Prof. Akosa for touring seven regions with him when he was appointed to familiarize himself with the people in the service saying, "that meant so much to me". Dr Andrew Djan Bohene, Chairman of the GHS Council, described the parting of Prof. Akosa as a sorrowful one, saying his absence would be deeply felt.

He explained that the Council would have loved him to serve a second term but "Prof Akosa himself wants to go back to teaching pathology at the University of Ghana Medical School and we cannot stop him".

"This is a man who showed commitment to his job and ran round the country visiting every health facility, did his job diligently and went about his duty professionally to the satisfaction of the Council and the Service."

Napuwura Mohammed Dauda Jawula, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, described Prof Akosa as a real colossus in his own right who advocated for health wherever he went. He described him as the first principal architect of regenerative health and "we will miss him". He said the Ghanaian populace would miss his rich advice of exercising, eating more vegetables, kose and hausa koko and staying away from fatty and oily foods.

Dr Sory until his appointment as the Director-General was the Northern Regional Director of Health Services. He assumes duty in April 2007. 29 March 07