The School of Public Health, KNUST has successfully hosted the 2026 ISPOR KNUST Student Chapter Conference, bringing together students, researchers and healthcare professionals to deliberate on one of the most pressing issues in modern healthcare, equitable and sustainable access.
Held on March 18 to 19, 2026, at the Gardiner Conference Room of the Great Hall, the conference created a platform for critical discussions around health policy, financing, and innovation in Ghana’s healthcare system.
In his opening address, the Dean of the School of Public Health and Faculty Advisor to the ISPOR KNUST Chapter Professor Peter Agyei-Baffour, emphasized that while health economics often focuses on data and cost-effectiveness, the ultimate goal remains centered on people.
Professor Agyei-Baffour highlighted that equitable healthcare access means no individual should be denied care due to their social or economic status, while sustainability ensures that healthcare systems are built to serve both present and future generations.
“Our students are not just learning about these challenges they are preparing to solve them,” he noted, urging participants to actively engage, question assumptions, and develop solutions that bridge the gap between theory and real-world healthcare delivery.
The conference featured a keynote address by Dr. Ernest Attuquaye Quaye, who delivered an insightful presentation on the role of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in shaping Ghana’s healthcare future.
Speaking on the theme of equity, cost, and effectiveness in healthcare decision-making, he described HTA as a critical tool for ensuring that limited healthcare resources are used efficiently and fairly. According to him, Ghana’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage requires not just ambition, but careful prioritization.
“We must move from asking whether we can treat everyone to deciding how we fund interventions so that no Ghanaian is left behind,” he stated.
Dr. Quaye explained that HTA goes beyond numbers, integrating clinical effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and equity into healthcare decisions. He stressed that Ghana’s approach uniquely considers the severity of diseases and the financial burden on households, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not excluded.
The conference also highlighted the growing impact of HTA on Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme, improving clinical guidelines, and promoting transparency in policy decisions.
Despite these gains, challenges such as data gaps, limited expertise, and stakeholder resistance remain key obstacles. However, participants were encouraged to see these challenges as opportunities for innovation, research, and leadership.
Looking ahead, discussions pointed to a future where Ghana becomes a regional hub for health policy innovation, with increasing use of digital health tools, real-world data, and adaptive assessment models to improve healthcare delivery.
The conference ultimately served as a call to action for students and young professionals to take an active role in shaping Ghana’s healthcare landscape.
As emphasized throughout the event, the future of healthcare in Ghana will not only depend on medical practitioners but also on thinkers, researchers, and policymakers committed to evidence-based and equitable solutions.
Story by Clara Yayra Aborga