ANALYSING THE IMPACT OF THE AFRICAN FORUM FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN HEALTH (AFREHEALTH) IN GHANA: A QUALITATIVE EVALUATION STUDY.
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This study evaluated the impact of the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) in Ghana during its first five years following its launch in 2016. AFREhealth is an African-led initiative, supported by international partners, aimed at addressing persistent health challenges across the continent. The study explored how participating health professions communities have been influenced by AFREhealth and how the wider society, including key stakeholders in health professions education, research, and service users, has benefitted from its activities. Lessons learned were also identified to inform the improvement of AFREhealth as a continental organization.
A qualitative study design was employed, utilizing focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. A total of 57 registered AFREhealth members participated, including health professionals, students in health professions education institutions, and other individuals who had received support or services from AFREhealth.
The findings highlighted that AFREhealth has positively impacted health professional education, strengthened research capacities, and fostered collaboration across African institutions. Participants reported improvements in skills, knowledge sharing, and professional networking, while the broader society benefited from enhanced health services and evidence-informed practices. The evaluation underscores the value of African-led initiatives in addressing local health challenges and provides lessons to guide AFREhealth’s continued growth and sustainability.
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