Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disclosed that the number of medical doctors accepting postings to Ghana’s deprived communities has increased significantly, rising from just 12 in 2024 to more than 100 in 2026.
He described the development as a positive step toward addressing long-standing staffing shortages in underserved areas, while cautioning that many districts still lack adequate access to medical doctors.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in Koforidua, Mr. Akandoh said attracting and retaining health professionals in rural communities remains one of the country’s major healthcare challenges.
“Unfortunately, there are still districts in Ghana without a single medical doctor. Sometimes leadership requires difficult decisions. Not every decision will be popular, but the long-term benefits make those decisions worthwhile,” he said.
The Minister explained that government has had to implement difficult but necessary policy measures to improve the distribution of health workers across the country.
He revealed that while only 12 doctors accepted postings to deprived areas in 2024, the figure has now risen to more than 100 in 2026, describing it as progress that still requires further improvement.
“In 2024, only 12 medical doctors accepted postings to deprived areas. This year, by the grace of God, more than 100 doctors have accepted postings. That is progress, but we still have more work to do,” he added.
Despite the improvement, Mr. Akandoh acknowledged that staffing gaps continue to hinder efforts to achieve equitable healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
He commended CHAG for its consistent service delivery in remote parts of the country, where access to healthcare remains limited.
“What excites me most is CHAG’s presence in the most remote parts of Ghana—where the roads end, where network coverage is weak, and where health services are needed the most,” he noted.
According to him, CHAG’s operations highlight the importance of deploying and retaining health workers in underserved areas as part of efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Mr. Akandoh further stated that the government’s newly launched Free Primary Healthcare programme will depend not only on infrastructure and equipment but also on the availability of skilled health professionals willing to serve nationwide.
He explained that the programme will strengthen preventive healthcare by deploying health workers into communities to conduct routine screenings for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, offer health education, and ensure early detection and treatment of diseases.
The Minister also urged healthcare professionals, particularly those under CHAG, to continue delivering care with dignity, compassion, and commitment.
“Last year, when I attended this conference, I challenged you to continue treating patients with dignity, respect and compassion. I repeat that call today. That is where CHAG has a comparative advantage,” he said.
He paid tribute to health workers across the country, noting that nearly 39 million patient visits were recorded at health facilities in 2025.
“Behind those statistics are real people whose lives have been touched by your dedication and sacrifice,” he added.
Mr. Akandoh assured health professionals that government remains committed to improving working conditions and strengthening staffing levels in deprived communities to enhance healthcare delivery nationwide.
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