WHO appoints Dr. Fiona Braka as new Ghana country representative

GHANA—Ghana has officially welcomed Dr. Fiona Braka as the new Country Representative for the World Health Organization (WHO), following her endorsement by the Government of Ghana.

Dr. Braka, a distinguished public health expert from Uganda, brings more than 20 years of experience in disease prevention, emergency management, and strategic leadership to her new role.

Her appointment signals a renewed commitment to strengthening Ghana’s health systems and advancing progress toward universal health coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Braka’s career with WHO spans several African countries, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Uganda, where she has held senior leadership positions.

In these roles, she led initiatives to improve primary health care, enhance public health security, and manage teams in challenging environments.

Most recently, she served as Coordinator of Emergency Response Operations at WHO’s Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo.

In this capacity, she directed WHO’s response to major disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises across 47 countries, focusing on strengthening national capacities for health emergency preparedness and response.

One of Dr. Braka’s most notable achievements was her pivotal role in eradicating wild poliovirus in Nigeria.

Her leadership contributed significantly to the African region being certified as wild polio-free in 2020.

 Additionally, as an immunization team lead in various countries, she worked to expand national vaccination programs, ensuring that essential health services reached underserved communities.

Dr. Braka is also recognized for her contributions to public health research, having authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

She holds a Medical Degree from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the United States.

As she begins her tenure in Ghana, Dr. Braka will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health, key stakeholders, and development partners.

Her leadership is expected to drive WHO Ghana’s technical and operational work, supporting the country in achieving its national health priorities and building resilience against future health crises.

Her appointment marks a significant step forward for WHO’s ongoing partnership with Ghana, promising to bring fresh momentum to efforts aimed at improving health outcomes for all Ghanaians.

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