Ghana’s health diplomacy earned global recognition this week as the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, received the Diplomatic Service Medal from the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung.

The award, presented at the 2025 Korea Development Cooperation Day in Seoul, celebrates Dr Akoriyea’s pivotal role in strengthening Ghana–Korea health cooperation and his long-standing leadership in global health development.

Dr Akoriyea was honoured for his central contribution to establishing and expanding the work of the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) in Ghana—an institution he helped anchor within the GHS as far back as 2013.

Under his guidance, KOFIH’s annual support to Ghana has grown from $300,000 to over US$1.1 million, cementing its place as one of the country’s most impactful bilateral health partners.

KOFIH-funded interventions have since transformed several areas of Ghana’s health system, including maternal and child health in the Volta and Oti Regions, biomedical engineering strengthening, laparoscopic surgery services, invitational training for health workers, child disability rehabilitation, and national health insurance capacity-building.

Dr Akoriyea has also driven close collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), whose support spans health security, CHPS revitalisation, maternal and child health, and broader workforce development.

The citation, signed by President Lee Jae Myung, commended him for “outstanding and meritorious service rendered to promoting friendly relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Ghana.”

Ghana’s Health Service has congratulated Dr Akoriyea, describing the award as a testament to both his personal dedication and Ghana’s rising profile in global health diplomacy.

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