Dr. Alphonse Makafui Dzakpasu
Summary
Accomplished Medical Doctor and Health Systems Leader with over 15 years of clinical experience and nearly a decade in senior health leadership within the Ghana Health Service. Recognized for driving system-wide healthcare transformation, strengthening clinical governance, and leading primary health care reforms that have influenced national policy direction.
Demonstrated success in reducing maternal mortality to zero at facility level, improving service delivery efficiency, and restoring financial sustainability of public hospitals. Experienced in working across multi-level health systems, supporting policy design, implementation, and scale-up of integrated primary healthcare models aligned with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Deputy Director, Clinical Care
Volta Regional Health Directorate
07.2025 - Current
- Oversaw strategic clinical service delivery across Volta Region, ensuring quality and compliance while driving performance improvements.
- Led implementation of regional clinical governance frameworks, establishing peer review systems across GHS and CHAG facilities to enhance accountability.
- Coordinate regional performance reviews, driving accountability and data-informed decision-making.
- Championed integrated supportive supervision systems, reinforcing clinical standards and fostering continuous improvement across districts.
Medical Superintendent
Ketu South Municipal Hospital
01.2021 - Current
- Led large-scale maternal and child health improvement initiatives, achieving zero maternal mortality.
- Strengthened hospital systems, enhancing financial performance, infrastructure, and service delivery capacity.
- Oversaw facility expansion projects, including NICU upgrades and pediatric emergency unit establishment.
- Enhanced community engagement and referral systems, boosting service utilization and fostering trust.
- Directed multidisciplinary teams in implementing institutional policies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Medical Superintendent
Peki Government Hospital
01.2017 - 12.2021
- Expanded clinical services (ENT, Eye, Dental) through targeted infrastructure redevelopment, enhancing patient access and care.
- Introduced digital health systems (EMR) that improved clinical efficiency and streamlined reporting processes.
- Strengthened hospital financial performance and operational systems.
- Led community outreach and public health engagement programs, fostering stronger community ties and promoting health awareness.
Medical Officer
Ho Teaching Hospital
01.2013 - 12.2017
- Headed Accident & Emergency Unit, enhancing patient care through clinical outreach programs.
- Led medical outreach initiatives
- Contributed to surgical services and research initiatives, improving treatment protocols.
- Participated in annual surgical outreach programs
- Participated in research on mesh repair as the gold standard for hernia repair
- Worked at Volta Regional Hospital
Senior House Officer – General Surgery
Ho Teaching Hospital
01.2013 - 06.2013
- Managed emergency care for clients, including resuscitation, stabilization, and surgeries.
- Supported surgical procedures under the guidance of senior clinicians.
- Worked at Volta Regional Hospital
Senior House Officer – Paediatrics
Princess Marie Louis Hospital
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Managed emergency care, including resuscitation, stabilization, and referral of critically ill patients, ensuring timely and effective interventions.
- Delivered clinical services in pediatric and child health care to enhance patient outcomes.
- Contributed to clinical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews, and multidisciplinary team discussions to improve quality of care.
- Educated patients and families on disease prevention and management, fostering improved health literacy and adherence to treatment plans.
House Officer – Internal Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
01.2011 - 12.2012
- Provided comprehensive clinical care including patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up management for both inpatient and outpatient cases.
- Participated in emergency care management, including resuscitation, stabilization, and referral of critically ill patients.
- Assisted in obstetric deliveries, ensuring safe outcomes for mothers and infants under supervision of senior clinicians.
- Conducted ward rounds and clinical documentation, presented cases during departmental meetings to enhance collaborative care.
- Contributed to clinical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews, and multidisciplinary team discussions to improve quality of care.
- Participated in health education and patient counseling, promoting disease prevention and management strategies among patients.
Education
Master of Public Health (MPH) -
Ensign Global University
Kpong05-2026
Resident Family Medicine -
Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons
Accra03-2026
Certificate in Health Administration and Management Systems (HAMS) -
GIMPA
01-2018
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) -
University of Ghana Medical School
Legon01-2011
Bachelor of Science (Medical Sciences) -
University of Ghana
Legon01-2007
Skills
- Clinical Governance
- Health Systems Strengthening
- Primary Care Networks
- Quality Improvement and Performance Management
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Integrated Supportive Supervision
- Digital Health Systems
- Policy Implementation
- Data driven decision making
- Stakeholder Engagement and Resource Mobilization
- Hospital Administration
- Maternal and Child Health Improvement
- Core Competencies
- Structured performance review systems
- Peer Review Systems
Affiliations
- Member – Ghana Medical Association
- Member – Society of Family Physicians of Ghana
- Member – Medical Superintendents Group
National Technical Support And Capacity Building
Facilitated training and supported establishment of Primary Care Networks and Networks of Practice in Atebubu, Kwame Danso, Nkrankwanta, Sunyani, Hohoe, Afadzato South, North Dayi, South Dayi, Keta, Anloga, North Tongu, Akatsi South, Ketu South, Ho West, Adaklu and Agortime-Ziope.
Research And Publications
Leaving No One Behind: The Role of Primary Care Provider Networks in Advancing Equitable Universal Health Coverage in the South Dayi and South Tongu Districts in Ghana., Co-Author
Professional Training And Capacity Development
- Outbreak preparedness training (Monkeypox, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, Meningitis), 03/01/26
- Comprehensive Abortion Care, 01/01/26
- Technical Workshop on New Data and Evidence for Primary Healthcare Strengthening in Ghana – World Bank, 11/01/25
- Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), 08/01/25
- Onsite Training and Supportive Supervision (OTSS) in Malaria, 08/01/25
- Obstetric Triage Training and Presentations, 07/01/25
- Participation in FAST-R discussions organized by R4D, 06/01/24
- Quality of Care Training – Quality for Health Initiative, 05/01/23
- Quality of Health (Q4H) Facilitation, 06/01/22
- Facilitator regional quality Management Team, 05/01/22
- Basic Life Support (BLS), 03/01/21
Community Leadership
- Past President, Rotary Club of Ho, 2023 - 2024
- Vice President, Rotary Club of Ho, 2025 - 2026
- Patron, APSU-HOPSA UHAS
References
- Dr. Atsu Dodor, Regional Director of Health Services, GHS, Not Provided, Volta Region, Not Provided, Not Provided, atsu.dodor@ghs.gov.gh, +233 20 817 0267
- Dr. Chrysantus Kubio, Regional Director of Health Services, GHS, Not Provided, Northern Region, Not Provided, Not Provided, chrysantus.kubio@ghs.gov.gh, +233 24 365 4478
National Health System Leadership And Policy Contributions
- Member – Technical Working Group, Comprehensive Abortion Care Implementation Plan (2026)
- Contributor – National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Planning (NSOAP) discussions
- Member – Free Primary Health Care Policy Committees (Service Delivery & Strategic Purchasing)
- Core contributor – Networks of Practice Concept Development (Ghana)
- Led Preferred Primary Care Provider pilot informing national PHC reforms
Key Career Impact
- Reduced institutional maternal mortality from 4 cases (2021) to 0 (2025) through sustained quality improvement interventions.
- Decreased maternal anaemia prevalence (36 weeks gestation) from 44.1% to 27.6% within one year.
- Led transformation of two public hospitals from negative to positive net financial position, improving operational sustainability.
- Pioneered implementation of Primary Care Network (PCN) model in South Dayi District, contributing to Ghana’s national Network of Practice framework.
- Introduced Electronic Medical Records (CLODS) to improve clinical documentation and decision-making.
- Mobilized international and government funding for NICU upgrades, pediatric emergency unit development, and infrastructure expansion.
Timeline
Acting Deputy Director, Clinical Care
Volta Regional Health Directorate
07.2025 - Current
Medical Superintendent
Ketu South Municipal Hospital
01.2021 - Current
Medical Superintendent
Peki Government Hospital
01.2017 - 12.2021
Medical Officer
Ho Teaching Hospital
01.2013 - 12.2017
Senior House Officer – General Surgery
Ho Teaching Hospital
01.2013 - 06.2013
Senior House Officer – Paediatrics
Princess Marie Louis Hospital
01.2012 - 12.2012
House Officer – Internal Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
01.2011 - 12.2012
Master of Public Health (MPH) -
Ensign Global University
Resident Family Medicine -
Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons
Certificate in Health Administration and Management Systems (HAMS) -
GIMPA
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) -
University of Ghana Medical School
Bachelor of Science (Medical Sciences) -
University of Ghana