In the ever-evolving landscape of public health leadership in Ghana, few names resonate with as much dedication, discipline, and quiet transformation as Dr. Damien Punguyire, the newly assigned Eastern Regional Director of Health Services. His assumption of office marks not just a transition in leadership, but the dawn of a renewed vision for health equity, accessibility, and innovation across one of Ghana’s most vibrant regions.
For decades, Dr. Punguyire has built a sterling reputation within the Ghana Health Service (GHS) as a dynamic, results-driven, and people-centered physician administrator. Before his current reassignment to the Eastern Region, he served with distinction as the Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, where his tenure was marked by significant improvements in maternal and child health outcomes, community-based disease surveillance, and digital data integration in healthcare delivery.
Now, as he steps into the Eastern Region—a diverse area characterized by rapid urban growth, deep rural communities, and complex public health needs— Dr. Punguyire brings a leadership style that blends empathy, evidence-based management, and forward-thinking reform.
“Health leadership is not about occupying an office—it is about being close to the people, understanding their needs, and building systems that respond with speed, compassion, and competence,” he often emphasizes in his public addresses.
Dr. Punguyire’s record demonstrates a consistent focus on systems strengthening. He is widely credited for modernizing health data management across districts under his watch, enhancing accountability and transparency in the use of public health resources. His leadership approach prioritizes mentorship, empowering young health professionals to innovate within their fields while maintaining ethical standards and community trust.
His vision for the Eastern Region aligns with Ghana’s broader goal under the Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health—to bridge the gap between policy and practice by ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare, regardless of geography or income.
At the heart of his philosophy lies a simple but powerful belief: the best healthcare begins before the hospital. Dr. Punguyire has championed preventive health campaigns across communities—focusing on immunization, sanitation, nutrition, and reproductive health—as the foundation of sustainable well-being. His partnerships with traditional leaders, civil society, and local assemblies have earned him praise as a consensus-builder who understands that healthcare is both a social and cultural enterprise.
Under his leadership, the Eastern Regional Health Directorate is expected to prioritize:
Digital Health Integration: Introducing robust health information systems to improve service delivery and monitoring.
Maternal and Child Health Strengthening: Expanding access to emergency obstetric and neonatal care in rural districts.
Workforce Development: Promoting continuous professional training for healthcare staff to enhance capacity and morale.
Health Infrastructure Modernization: Supporting the government’s agenda to upgrade primary health centers into model district hospitals.
Colleagues describe Dr. Punguyire as humble yet firm, a man who balances administrative excellence with human connection. His calm demeanor, sharp intellect, and commitment to ethical governance have earned him admiration across Ghana’s public health sector.
Beyond the office, he is known for mentoring young health officers and volunteering in outreach programs that bring healthcare directly to underserved communities—a hallmark of leadership by example.
As Dr. Damien Punguyire assumes his new mandate in the Eastern Region, expectations are high—but so too is the confidence that his track record will continue to inspire systemic transformation. In an era where public health challenges transcend geography, his leadership embodies Ghana’s enduring commitment to building a resilient and inclusive healthcare system that leaves no one behind.
“Our goal is to make every community healthier, every health worker better supported, and every life valued,” Dr. Punguyire says—a statement that captures not only his vision but the moral compass of his entire career.
Source Nii Okpoti Odamttem
