Dr. Margaret Chan, the new director-general of the World Health Organization, appointed a Ghanaian as her deputy Tuesday, AP reported. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah held senior positions in Ghana's public health system before joining WHO in 1998. Before his appointment, he coordinated the U.N. health agency's efforts against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria _ a high-profile role as the Geneva-based body stepped up its fight in recent years against these deadly diseases. The post of deputy director-general has not been filled since 1993, but Chan's promise to make the health of Africans one of the top priorities during her five-year term may have provided the impetus to assign the post to Asamoa-Baah, who has extensive experience in an African country's health system.
