In 2021, our team reformed our operating model to place country strategies at the center of our work, move centers of power and decision-making closer to our programming, and provide stronger technical assistance to our four country programs. To live up to these aspirations, we launched a new office in Accra, Ghana in April 2022.
Naa Adorkor Yawson
Last Mile Health currently has no plans to begin country programming in Ghana; the new office will be a support base for our existing programs, addressing gaps raised by country leadership and meeting the growing needs of in-country teams. “We’re bringing the support our teams need within reach, not just with operations, but every kind of service that is shared across teams,” explains Naa Adorkor Yawson, managing director of operational services in Ghana. “A central hub fosters the collaboration and coordination that we need in order to scale our impact.”
Naa also makes the connection between the development of the Ghana office and Last Mile Health’s new DEI roadmap. “It’s not just us talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion, but we have people who are regionally located leading key global strategies and goals. Having these teams lead brings that kind of diversity we need–that kind of diversity with cultural context, diversity with experience, diversity with shared learning.”
Alpha Bangura presents the Sierra Leone country strategy at our Leadership Council’s first meeting in Accra, Ghana
She is energized by the opportunities the Ghana office provides. “It’s a central point that’s accessible to our countries and we’re already seeing that start to unfold in our work,” she says. “A couple of weeks ago, I was able to go into Liberia, and it didn’t feel like a far journey at all–and in a couple of weeks I’m going back. It emphasizes why Ghana is an ideal location–for the ease of that support.”
The new office, Naa explains, is both a needed boost for logistical support–and a critical tactic in aligning Last Mile Health’s values with its actions. “It’s evidence of our commitment to our employees, to the people we serve, and to our culture and values having the Ghana office here within the reach of our teams.”
