In commemoration of World Health Day 2025, Law and Development Associates (LADA) convened a high-level policy dialogue themed, “Healthy Beginnings, Brighter Futures: Unlocking Universal Health Coverage for Maternal and Newborn Health.” The event brought together a cross-section of health experts, legal minds, and development practitioners to explore sustainable pathways for financing healthcare, particularly for maternal and child health, in the face of tightening donor support and global economic headwinds.
A central focus of the discussions was how Ghana can maintain momentum toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) despite funding challenges, including recent cuts from major development partners such as USAID. A key proposal on the table was the implementation of free ambulance services for children under five, a potentially transformative initiative aimed at reducing child mortality and improving emergency response for Ghana’s youngest citizens.
Prof. Raymond Atuguba, Board Chairman of LADA and Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, delivered a keynote address that emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in sustaining and scaling health financing mechanisms.
“Ghana must leverage on strategic partnerships to finance health, amid USAID cuts by optimizing our regulatory frameworks and embracing innovative financing models” he said.
Prof. Atuguba also underscored the urgency of building resilient local systems that can withstand external funding shocks.
Panel discussions featured prominent voices from the health sector, including Dr. Katherine Attoh, Technical Advisor on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health at WHO Ghana, Dr. Amanuel Abajobir, Associate Research Scientist at the African Population and Health Research Center; Dr. Hilda Mantebea Boye, President of the Pediatric Society of Ghana; and Dr. Becky Boakye-Yiadom, Central Regional Quality Assurance Manager at the National Health Insurance Authority. Collectively, they highlighted the need for robust institutional reforms, stronger coordination between health agencies and legal bodies, and the integration of data-driven approaches to track impact and accountability in health spending.
As a leading West African multidisciplinary consultancy, LADA continues to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between law and development. With a strong track record in policy and regulatory development including advisory roles in the creation of national health insurance frameworks in Ghana and The Gambia the organization is positioning itself at the forefront of policy innovation in the region.
LADA’s broader mission is to identify and address systemic gaps within the legal and institutional frameworks that govern access to essential services like healthcare. Its areas of specialization including Public Policy Research & Analysis, Legislative Development, and Institutional Strengthening underscore its commitment to fostering sustainable, rights-based development.
The dialogue closed with a call for multisector collaboration and deeper investment in maternal and newborn health as a strategic pillar of national development. As donor funding becomes increasingly unpredictable, LADA’s forum reinforced the urgent need for Ghana to rethink how it finances health not just through state budgets but through inclusive, innovative, and enduring partnerships.
