Kelvin Odonkor has worked as a trained mental health nurse for more than a decade and half and is deeply invested in public health interventions and effective health communication. He has been at the frontlines of public health crises in West Africa, notably during the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks. Kelvin utilizes innovative media platforms to inform and empower individuals, particularly during health crises, enabling them to make informed decisions. His primary focus lies in crafting compelling and impactful content and strategies for health communication, bridging the divide between healthcare providers and the public.

Currently Kelvin works at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. He previously served as Communications Officer at the Christian Health Association of Ghana, where he curated communications material, disseminating it to media, partners, and donors. Kelvin spearheaded online communications, maintaining the organization's website and social media platforms, and produced quarterly newsletters and press releases. He also conducted internal workshops and training on content creation and media engagement. Kelvin is the founder and lead of Ghana Health Nest, a premier health news and information outlet in Ghana.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Empowering Community Health Workers and NGOs to Combat Health Misinformation/Disinformation in Ghana

The project addresses and combats the critical issue of misinformation and disinformation in public health, particularly in Ghana. It will empower Community Health Workers (CHWs) and NGOs, and by extension young health trainees who are internet savvy, through targeted training, capacity building, awareness and collaboration to identify, counter, and mitigate the spread of health misinformation.

The project will include capacity building, collaboration with stakeholders, community engagement, advocacy for policy and programs strengthening, and independent fact-checking. Measurable outcomes include increased awareness, strengthened collaboration, and improved dissemination of accurate health information. Activities will include a face-to-face workshop, social media campaign, an outreach program, and advocacy efforts.

Thus far, Kelvin has held a one-day workshop on Combating Health Misinformation/Disinformation for 65 community/public health workers and health NGOs. The training equipped participants with tools and strategies to address misinformation/ disinformation in public health. They received handouts/brochures produced by Ghana Health Service, one of the project partners, as reference materials. Kelvin also conducted three outreach sessions with 650 health trainees in the Accra area. Check out this video of an activity Kelvin conducted here. A workshop is scheduled in the northern region for October, and filming for a short education video on health misinformation/disinformation is ongoing, with promotion planned for social media and completion by the end of October. Kelvin reported that, “There is a general interest by the health workers and trainees in volunteering to be part of the independent Health FactCheckers.” which is an idea sparked by the training which is being pursued by the participants.

“By addressing health information gaps and combating health misinformation, this project aims to inform, empower, and positively influence individual and community health decisions, ultimately enhancing health outcomes and a building a more resilient public health system.” - Kelvin Odonkor

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Kelvin participated in the IVLP Project Global Public Health Challenges, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with Global Santa Fe, Global Ties Alabama, Global Ties Iowa, Global Ties Kalamazoo, World Affairs Council - Seattle, and World Partnerships, Inc. Kelvin’s exchange experience led to the development of his project.

“My meetings with the American Public Health Association (APHA) in Washington and AI Tompkins at the Poynter Institute in Florida inspired me the most to embark on this project." - Kelvin Odonkor

U.S. Communities Visited

Huntsville, AL; Washington, D.C; St. Petersburg, FL; Iowa City, IA; Kalamazoo, MI; Santa Fe, NM; Seattle, WA

Country: Ghana

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