The 10th edition of the John Evans Atta Mills (JEAM) Leadership Lecture is set to be delivered by Dr Eunice Brookman-Amissah, under the theme: “From Knowledge to Action: Bridging Africa’s Reproductive Health Gap: The Role of Health Training Institutions.”
The distinguished physician, diplomat, and stateswoman, who currently serves as a Member of the 9th Council of State and formerly represented Ghana as Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is expected to provide deep insights into one of Africa’s most pressing public health concerns, sexual and reproductive health.
The lecture will examine critical issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health across Africa, with particular emphasis on Ghana. It aims to highlight persistent gaps in reproductive healthcare delivery and the urgent need for stronger institutional interventions to improve health outcomes, especially among young people and vulnerable populations.
According to the organisers, the presentation will revisit the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) of 1994, which first established a global framework for sexual and reproductive health and brought worldwide attention to an often-neglected yet essential aspect of human health and well-being. Since then, institutions such as the African Union and its affiliated agencies have introduced several transformative policies, protocols, and agreements aimed at advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights across the continent.
A major highlight of the lecture will be the introduction of the “Catch Them Young” concept, which seeks to emphasise the importance of integrating sexual and reproductive health education into healthcare systems and, most importantly, the training curriculum of future healthcare professionals and leaders.
The initiative is expected to stimulate national discourse on strengthening healthcare training institutions to equip future professionals with the knowledge, skills, and commitment needed to address reproductive health challenges in Ghana and across Africa.
The John Evans Atta Mills Leadership Lecture continues to serve as an important platform for intellectual engagement, policy dialogue, and national reflection on issues central to governance, development, and societal well-being.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
