By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, Oct. 18, GNA – Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has emphasized the need for a skilled and motivated health workforce for successful implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare initiative and a strengthened National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He said the efforts to expand access to healthcare and improve service delivery depended largely on the availability of qualified health professionals who were adequately supported to perform their duties.
Mr. Akandoh said this in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Desmond Boateng, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, at the fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Health Sector Occupational Pension Scheme in Kumasi.
The meeting was held on the theme: “Strengthening Pension Security through Smart Investments, Good Governance and a Sustainable Future.”
The Minister said health professionals remained central to Ghana’s healthcare transformation, given their role in providing essential medical services to communities to ensure that healthcare interventions achieved their intended outcomes.
He noted that the expanded continuum of care through the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, the NHIS and other healthcare interventions required skilled and motivated professionals to deliver quality services consistently.
Mr. Akandoh said although Ghana had made considerable progress in training health professionals over the years, challenges remained in providing employment opportunities for trained personnel.
He called for stronger efforts to align health workforce planning with the country’s healthcare delivery priorities to improve access to services, particularly in underserved communities.
He said the Health Sector Occupational Pension Scheme had an important role in providing retirement income and financial security for health professionals who dedicated their working lives to caring for others.
Mr. Akandoh urged the scheme’s trustees and administrators to uphold high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability in managing members’ contributions.
Prudent investment decisions, effective oversight, and careful management of operational costs were necessary to protect pension funds and ensure the scheme’s long-term sustainability.
The Minister encouraged health workers to take an active interest in their pension arrangements, update their personal records, and seek clarification on benefits to enable them to make informed decisions about retirement.
GNA
Edited by Bertha Badu-Agyei/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
Email address: [email protected]