Accra, March 28, GNA – Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), with its partners, has commended the Government for increasing the annual budgetary allocation to the health sector by about GHS 2 billion.
This represents a 13.4 per cent nominal increase from GHS 15.6 billion in 2024 to GHS 17.8 billion in 2025, a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency, said Friday.
The HFFG, however, noted that this accounted for only 6.32 per cent of the total national budget, far below the 15 per cent commitment set under the Abuja Declaration.
It, therefore, urged stronger commitments to sustainable and equitable health financing by the Government.
The Government, it said, should also prioritise financing for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly, in Primary Health Care (PHC) and immunisation services, to ensure uninterrupted access to essential health services.
The organisation raised concerns over inflation, which, when factored into the 2025 budget using February 2024 as a base year, results in a real value decline of 23 per cent.
This, it warned, could constrain service delivery and hinder progress towards UHC.
HFFG commended the government’s decision to uncap the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), which now stands at GHS 9.93 billion, to support vaccine procurement, claims payments, procurement of essential medicines, and free PHC services.
It, however, urged the Ministry of Finance to ensure the timely release of these funds to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and called on the Ministry of Health to submit timely requests to facilitate effective disbursement.
With Ghana set to fully take over vaccine financing by 2029 following Gavi’s planned exit, HFFG warned of potential vaccine shortages and a reversal of public health gains if sustainable domestic financing is not secured.
It emphasised the importance of working towards vaccine sovereignty to prevent stockouts and delays in procurement.
The organisation also acknowledged the government’s focus on epidemic preparedness and response, including expanded immunisation and integrated disease surveillance.
However, it cautioned that without a dedicated fund for emergency preparedness, the country would remain vulnerable to future outbreaks.
HFFG, therefore, made key recommendations, including the timely release of funds for vaccine co-financing, increased domestic resource mobilisation for PHC and immunisation, and the establishment of a dedicated emergency preparedness fund.
The statement reaffirmed HFFG’s commitment to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to ensure equitable health financing for all Ghanaians and urged policymakers to address critical gaps to safeguard public health.
Hope for Future Generations is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the well-being of women, children, and young people through participatory and rights-based approaches.
With more than 23 years of experience, it operates in nine regions and implements programmes across all 16 regions of Ghana.
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