Accra: The Ministry of Health has eulogised the late Dr. Moses E. K Adibo, a former Deputy Minister of Health, as a man whose exemplary visionary leadership and technical excellence improved countless lives and inspired generations. Dr Koku Awoonor-Williams, Senior Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Health, paid tribute to Dr Adibo's pivotal role in reimagining and reforming Ghana's health system during a Remembrance Service and Tribute Night organised by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Adibo passed away on March 24, 2025, at the Hohoe Municipal Hospital. Born on September 4, 1928, in Akpafu in the Oti Region, he was a staunch Christian and a Presbyter with the Global Evangelical Church. The 96-year-old is survived by a son and will be buried on August 16, 2025, in his hometown, Akpafu-Mempeasem.
Dr Awoonor-Williams described Dr Adibo as the chief architect who laid the foundation for the District Health System and the decentralisation of Health Services. Under his leadership, the National Tuberculosis Control Programme was revitalised, significantly advancing TB control in Ghana. Dr Adibo also championed evidence-based policymaking and the strengthening of community health systems.
Serving as Deputy Minister of Health from 1998 to 2001 under President Jerry John Rawlings, Dr Adibo was instrumental in advancing National Health Policies, particularly in women's education, water and sanitation, and traditional medicine integration. He believed public health was a national imperative demanding collaboration and innovation.
Dr Awoonor-Williams highlighted Dr Adibo's humility, integrity, and sense of duty, which were as profound as his technical achievements. Even in retirement, Dr Adibo remained committed to public health through writings, mentorship, and public service engagements.
Dr Adibo's contributions continue to inspire generations and reforms within Ghana's health system. His life and legacy were also celebrated through tributes from the Global Evangelical Church, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, and others, recognizing his impact on the nation's health landscape.
