Kumasi, Oct. 14, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufour has observed that government's commitment to regenerative health concept and nutrition was appropriate to build a strong and healthy nation for the future.

He said Government took the difficult path to health gains by ensuring that a conducive environment was created to allow people to take charge of their own health. President Kufour made the observation in an address read on his behalf at the second Annual International Health Fair organized by Ministry of Health (MOH) in Kumasi. He noted that despite achievements Ghana had made in improving access to health services and modernizing the nation's health infrastructure "We are still a long way away from the target we set for our selves."

"We have still not harnessed the full potential of the private sector in meeting the health needs of our people. We are aware of the major gaps and deficiencies in services, especially in rural areas, the persistently high incidence of diseases such as malaria and effects of malnutrition on the people," he said.

President Kufuor expressed concern about many people suffering from common diseases in the country but did not have information on simple preventive measures and efforts to control them. He commended organizers of the fair, that would showcase Ghana in terms of health care delivery and increase awareness on health prevention, proper nutrition based on local foods and learn from the public their expectations to review policies to meet them. Major Courage Quashigah(Rtd), Minister for Health, said government's development agenda was to transform Ghana into a middle income country with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about 1,000 dollars by 2015. He said this could be achieved by improving human capital to strengthen the role of the private sector and provide good governance. Major Quashigah said the strategic direction of improving human capital made health central to Ghana's developments efforts, because only a healthy population could ensure improved productivity and increased GDP towards economic growth. 14 Oct. 08