By Yussif Ibrahim/Florence Afriyie Mensah
Kumasi, July 24, GNA – Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, has briefed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on key reforms and interventions being implemented by the Government to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system.
The briefing took place during a courtesy call on the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of the Minister’s working visit to the Ashanti Region.
Mr Akandoh updated the revered traditional ruler on major policy initiatives, including the implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, the integration of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares), expansion of health infrastructure, recruitment of health professionals, and efforts to improve specialist and emergency healthcare services.
He explained that the various interventions were complementary and collectively aimed at achieving universal health coverage.
“These programmes do not replace one another; they complement each other to ensure every Ghanaian has access to quality healthcare irrespective of social status or geographical location,” he said.
The Minister also briefed the Asantehene on the Government’s health infrastructure agenda, including the construction of new regional hospitals, cardiology centres and the completion of selected Agenda 111 hospital projects.
He said the 2026 Budget had made provision for regional hospitals in the Western North, Oti and Savannah regions, while the remaining projects would be catered for in the 2027 Budget.
On healthcare delivery, Mr Akandoh said the Government had recruited about 13,500 unemployed health professionals inherited upon assuming office and placed them on the payroll.
He added that another 8,000 health professionals had been recruited, with plans underway to employ an additional 8,000.
The Minister further disclosed that Government had signed Memoranda of Understanding with some countries to facilitate the deployment of Ghanaian health professionals abroad.
He said the initiative would create employment opportunities for health workers while increasing foreign remittances to the country.
Mr Akandoh also briefed the Asantehene on measures being taken to address the “no-bed syndrome” through the expansion of emergency healthcare services, including plans to establish emergency centres in Accra and Kumasi.
He updated the king on progress made towards operationalising the Sewua Regional Hospital in the Ashanti region, indicating that access roads had been completed while water and electricity connections were being finalised ahead of its commissioning.
“We took the opportunity to brief His Majesty on developments in the health sector, and we also received his blessings. He encouraged us and offered useful counsel,” the Minister said.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporters: Yussif Ibrahim/Florence Afriyie Mensah