The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed a young Ghanaian health expert, Dr. Khalifa Banda, to its prestigious Technical Advisory Group on Emergency Preparedness and Response (WHO EPR-TAG).

Dr. Banda, a global health expert, is the only Ghanaian and the youngest member of the elite group. He joins experts from other parts of the world on the newly established WHO EPR-TAG for the African region.

The Emergency Preparedness & Response Technical Advisory Group (EPR-TAG) is an independent body that will serve as the principal advisory group to the World Health Organization for strategic guidance on all matters pertaining to public health emergency preparedness and response across the African Region.

The Technical Advisory Group comprises 15 world experts, including the young Ghanaian, and is tasked with enhancing health security, especially in Africa. These experts were chosen by an independent committee from more than 600 candidates.

This appointment marks a significant moment in Dr. Khalifa's career, highlighting his extensive expertise in public health policy, vaccine strategy, and epidemiology.

Dr. Khalifa's inclusion in this expert group is evidence of his unwavering commitment to global health.

Dr. Khalifa joins other esteemed professionals in the group, including Dr. Ebere Okereke from Nigeria, Professor Helen Rees from South Africa, Professor Rebecca Martin, and Dr. Rick Bright from the USA.

Together, they aim to guide the continent toward enhanced preparedness against public health emergencies.

With this new position, Dr. Banda looks forward to contributing to and learning from this extraordinary group under the guidance of the regional director of WHO/AFRO.

Dr. Khalifa’s WHO appointment comes after he recently joined the Africa CDC’s editorial board as a section editor and Managing Director for a new non-profit, Center for Advancing Health Systems Innovations.

Dr. Khalifa's journey to this prestigious appointment inspires aspiring public health professionals worldwide, demonstrating the impact of dedication and expertise in global health.

EK