Dr. (Prof) Grace Ayensu-Danquah has been nominated as Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Health; With extensive experience in surgery, public health, and community-based outreach, her appointment comes at a time when Ghana’s health sector faces increasing demands for system-wide improvements.
Academic and Clinical Background
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah is a trained surgeon with dual board certifications in the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Southern California, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, where she also earned a certificate in Humanitarian Assistance. She later obtained a PhD in Surgery from Providence Hospital and pursued a surgical subspecialty at the University of California, San Diego.
Her clinical career has focused on trauma, reconstructive, and burns surgery. In Ghana, she currently serves as Medical Director at Sage Medical Center, a facility that provides specialized dialysis and surgical services in Accra.
Roles in Public Health and Academia
Beyond clinical care, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah plays a role in policy and education. She was instrumental in public education during the height of COVID-19. She is a professor at the University of Utah’s Center for Global Surgery and lectures at the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences. She serves on the FDA’s Technical Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Biological Products and is a board member of Days for Girls International – Ghana, which focuses on menstrual health and hygiene.
Public Health Contributions
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah has been active in advocating for policy changes aimed at improving access to health services. In 2023, she publicly called for the removal of taxes on dialysis consumables and the inclusion of dialysis under the National Health Insurance Scheme. Her advocacy drew national attention to the growing burden of chronic kidney disease in the country.
Through her organization, Healing Hands, she has supported several community-based health interventions, including free cataract surgeries for elderly patients, ear screenings for children, and the donation of medical equipment to rural clinics. She has also supported water infrastructure projects in her constituency, Essikado-Ketan, during periods of acute need.
In January 2025, she advocated for improved emergency medical systems within Parliament, including the provision of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), first aid kits, and appropriate training for staff.
The Context of Her Nomination
Ghana’s health sector is navigating multiple challenges, including post-pandemic recovery, a rise in non-communicable diseases, and the need for expanded access to essential health services. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s experience in both clinical care and public health policy positions her to contribute to efforts aimed at addressing these challenges in a practical and evidence-based manner.
Her nomination also reflects the growing need for leadership that understands the intersection of service delivery, health financing, and community engagement.
Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah brings to the Deputy Minister of Health role a professional track record rooted in practice, teaching, and public service. Her appointment comes at a time when the country requires clear and steady leadership to support the evolving needs of its health system.
