The Ministry of Finance has assured the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) that it will receive its fair share of equipment and infrastructure investments under the government’s flagship Free Primary Health Care programme.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson at the opening of the 2026 CHAG Annual Conference in Koforidua, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Theo Acheampong, said government considers CHAG an indispensable partner in achieving Universal Health Coverage and remains committed to strengthening the long-standing partnership between the state and faith-based health providers.
“We are pleased that CHAG facilities will receive their fair share of the equipment and investments being rolled out under the Free Primary Healthcare programme,” Dr. Acheampong announced.
The assurance comes as government accelerates the implementation of the Free Primary Health Care initiative, one of President Mahama administration’s flagship health policies aimed at eliminating financial, geographical and socio-economic barriers to accessing essential healthcare services, particularly for people living in rural and underserved communities.
Dr. Acheampong said government recognises CHAG’s extensive contribution to healthcare delivery, noting that its nationwide network of hospitals, clinics and health centres makes it an essential partner in expanding access to primary healthcare.
“Government cannot achieve this vision alone. We need CHAG. Together, we have the opportunity to build one of Africa’s strongest community-based healthcare systems – one that is sustainably financed, efficiently managed and deeply rooted in public trust,” he said.
He explained that government is implementing several reforms to strengthen the financial sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which remains central to financing healthcare services across the country.
According to him, Parliament has approved GH¢10.7 billion for the NHIS in 2025, with GH¢6.5 billion specifically allocated for the payment of claims to healthcare providers.
“This represents one of the strongest commitments to provider payments in recent years. Our objective is simple. Health facilities should spend more time caring for patients and less time pursuing outstanding claims,” he said.
Dr. Acheampong added that government would continue supporting the recruitment, deployment and remuneration of healthcare professionals while investing in primary healthcare infrastructure nationwide.
He, however, cautioned that Ghana’s healthcare financing landscape is changing as international development assistance continues to decline.
“Development assistance is becoming increasingly constrained, and Ghana is already experiencing the effects of declining overseas development support. This means we must increasingly finance our own development priorities,” he said.
To sustain investment in healthcare, Dr. Acheampong said government would focus on strengthening domestic resource mobilisation, improving efficiency in public spending and expanding partnerships with the private sector.
“The future of healthcare financing will increasingly depend on innovative financing instruments, stronger public-private partnerships and greater mobilisation of private capital to complement government investment,” he noted.
He described healthcare as an economic investment rather than merely a social service, arguing that a healthy population is fundamental to productivity and national development.
“The President’s vision is clear. It is to build a Ghana where quality healthcare is available to every citizen, regardless of income, geography or social status. A Ghana where no family is pushed into poverty because a loved one falls ill. A Ghana where prevention becomes the first line of defence,” he said.
Dr. Acheampong reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepening its partnership with CHAG, describing the association as one of the country’s most trusted healthcare providers.
“A partnership in which government provides the enabling policy environment and financing framework, and CHAG continues to deliver compassionate, efficient and trusted healthcare,” he said.
The Christian Health Association of Ghana operates 375 health facilities across the country’s 16 regions and provides between 30 and 40 per cent of healthcare services nationwide, despite owning only about seven per cent of Ghana’s health infrastructure.
Through its network of hospitals, clinics, health centres and training institutions, CHAG serves between eight and ten million patients annually and remains one of government’s principal partners in delivering healthcare to rural and hard-to-reach communities.
