Addis Ababa | July 31, 2025
This week, GACOPA reached a pivotal milestone in its journey to strengthen and unify Africa’s clinical health workforce. At the heart of Africa’s public health nerve center — the Africa CDC headquarters in Addis Ababa — a high-level GACOPA delegation sat down for a deeply meaningful and strategic discussion with Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Deputy Director General of Africa CDC.
This was not just a meeting. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
A Powerful Delegation, A Common Purpose Led by GACOPA President, Austin Oduor Otieno, the delegation brought together leading voices from across the continent — a united front representing the thousands of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates working at the very foundation of Africa’s health systems.
Among the delegation were:
Ibrahim Wako – Registrar and CEO, Clinical Officers Council of Kenya
Dr. Hashim Osman Warfa – WHO–Africa CDC Liaison Officer
Peterson Wachira – National Chair, KUCO
George Gibore – General Secretary, KUCO
Moses Matole (President, KCOA) and Neba Jones (President, COAZ) representing Zambia
Musonda Kamfwa – Secretary General, COAZ
Dr. Serkelem Girma and Fitsum Taye – Presidents of the Ethiopian Clinical Health Officers Associations
Together, they spoke as one voice — a voice for over 300,000 frontline clinical professionals serving communities in more than 20 African Union Member States.
Dialogue That Moved Beyond Words As the doors to the Africa CDC boardroom closed behind them, a focused and energizing conversation began. At its heart was a single question:
How can we work together — not just to recognize, but to empower Africa’s frontline clinical workforce?
Dr. Raji Tajudeen welcomed the team with warmth and openness. What followed was a constructive exchange rooted in shared vision. Everyone at the table understood that Africa cannot achieve Universal Health Coverage or build health emergency resilience without equipping and uplifting its frontline health professionals — especially Clinical Officers and Physician Associates.
And from that shared understanding, action emerged.
Agreement Reached: A Joint Technical Working Team By the close of the meeting, a significant milestone was reached: GACOPA and Africa CDC agreed to establish a Joint Technical Working Team (JTWT) composed of 7 members from GACOPA and 5 from Africa CDC.
This team will immediately begin shaping the modalities of a long-term partnership — one built on cooperation, innovation, and mutual respect.
The agreed focus areas include:
Capacity Building – Jointly developed training programs in surveillance, emergency response, AMR, and digital health
Endorsement & Visibility – Africa CDC support for GACOPA-led certifications and professional development programs
Policy Inclusion – GACOPA representation in Africa CDC workforce development consultations
Workforce Mapping – Collaborating on a digital registry of clinical officers across AU states via NPHI platforms
“This is a partnership of action,” said Dr. Otieno. “We are not just advocating for recognition — we are building a structure for Clinical Officers to thrive, grow, and lead.”
More Than Symbolism — A Turning Point The meeting marks GACOPA’s elevation to a recognized continental stakeholder in health workforce development — a goal that has taken years of grassroots building, advocacy, and solidarity across borders.
It also affirms Africa CDC’s commitment to a New Public Health Order — one that is inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered.
Plans are already underway for Africa CDC participation in upcoming GACOPA events, including the:
Southern Africa Conference – Lusaka, Zambia (October 2025)
Eastern Africa Conference – Bujumbura, Burundi (March 2026)
These forums will offer more than speeches — they will serve as platforms for co-creation, training, and real-time leadership.
Looking Forward: With You, For You As members and allies of GACOPA, this moment belongs to all of us. It is a reminder that collective voice, consistent engagement, and unified vision can open even the largest doors.
The road ahead will involve deeper collaboration, technical input, and your continued support. The Joint Team will begin work right away, and we will be calling on members from across the continent to help shape the programs, contribute expertise, and represent our shared mission.
Together, we are not just part of the health system — we are shaping its future.