Air Vice Marshall, (AVM) Joshua Lartei Mensah-Larkai, Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, says the Military High Command will continue to support research initiatives that promote the well-being of personnel and the nation at large
“The Ghana Armed Forces will continue to support research initiatives that promote the health and wellbeing of personnel and the nation at large. Let us continue to defend Ghana not only with courage in battle but with wisdom of science.
“When the nation is healthy, the nation is secured, when research is translated into practice, the community thrives, and when science leads, the victory in health and national strength is assured.”
AVM Mensah-Larkai gave the assurance at the opening of the second Ghana Armed Forces Health Service (GAFHS) 2025 Scientific Conference at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
The two-day conference is on the theme: “Medical Breakthrough: Translating Research into Clinical Practice.”
The conference is aimed at bringing together key stakeholders from the fields of medicine, academia, the pharmaceutical industry and allied health professionals to share knowledge and disseminate cutting-edge research findings.
It would also explore practical strategies, and influence policy on health care delivery in Ghana and beyond.
AVM Mensah-Larkai noted that traditionally the Armed Forces had been seen as defenders of the gun, but modern security demanded more than that.
According to him, true national security was not only about weapons or machoism, but was also about wellbeing, adding “a healthy soldier is a ready soldier, and a healthy nation is a superior nation.”
He noted that diseases, malnutrition and pandemic could weaken a country faster than any armed attack, citing the world surge during the COVID-19 era.
AVM Mensah-Larkai said the Armed Forces were not only seen as protectors of boarders, but as partners in promoting health and advancing medical science through research and innovation.
“Science and medicines are now essential tools of modern defence,” he added.
He underscored the importance of military medical research and surveillance, adding, “we can detect and prevent health threats before they spread. Through improved nutrition and mental health studies, we can enhance troop performance and resilience and through collaboration with universities, research institutions and hospitals, we can ensure that new medical discoveries are not only documented but applied.”
He said a medical breakthrough that remained on paper, was only a half victory, and that “the real victory comes when research transforms practice, when much is learned in the laboratory.”
AVM Mensah-Larkai commended personnel of the 37 Military Hospital for their dedication to work and for embarking on various expansions at the hospital.
He challenged participants of the conference to share more ideas that would help save lives and shape future health care delivery in the country.
Professor Kwasi Torpey, Dean of University of Ghana School of Public Health, said the conference provide a remarkable platform to showcase research, innovation and dedication that underpinned the work of the Ghana Armed Forces Health Service.
Prof Torpey said the conference formed a moment to celebrate the work of the Ghana Armed Forces Health Service.
He said across the world, health systems were being tested by emerging and re-emerging diseases, humanitarian crises and growing effect of climate change.
To the Ghana Armed Forces, he said, those challenges were more complex, giving the demanding environment that the personnel work.
He therefore stressed the need to meet the challenges by strengthening the foundation of Military Health Service through research that generate new evidence.
Prof Torpey said he was elated and proud of the way the GAFHS continued to integrate scientific evidence into practice from disease surveillance, emergency response to mental health care among others
“These efforts have not only enhanced the health of the personnel but contributed significantly to the national health agenda.”
Dr Philip Nyinaku, Second in Command, Public Health Division, 37 Military Hospital, said the GAFHS was not only a provider of clinical services, but a centre of leaning and innovation.
Dr Nyinaku said research presented at the conference reflected the hard work, discipline and intellectual curiosity of their healthcare professionals.
GNA
