On October 2nd, 2024, Ghana officially became the 24th ASLM’s Laboratory Systems Strengthening Community of Practice (LabCoP) member. The onboarding ceremony in Accra, marked a milestone in strengthening Ghana’s laboratory services and enhancing healthcare systems across the continent.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Deborah Djanie, Deputy Director of Program for Allied Health, welcomed the partnership, highlighting its potential to improve laboratory systems in Ghana and contribute to broader continental goals.

On behalf of ASLM, Francis Ocen, the LabCoP Project Manager, shared ASLMs vision, mission and strategic priorities and the BMGF-funded LabCoP projects scope, approaches. He further highlighted the implementation structure of the project and country teams’ responsibilities in ensuring successful collaboration.

During the onboarding, the multidisciplinary country team was supported to conduct their baseline assessment of the laboratory systems and networks using the HIV (VL) cascade assessment tool, the WHO Early Infant Diagnosis and TB WRD (WHO-recommended Rapid Diagnostic) tools.

Keeping with the long running tradition of engaging from the onset, key partners and agencies supporting Laboratory services in each country, ASLM accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Health visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Ghana, and the Global Fund offices. During both visits, the team highlighted the complementary role ASLM through LabCoP will play in supporting the overall Ghana laboratory system strengthening.