Health Minister Launches Free Primary Healthcare Initiative in Ahafo, Unveils Major Investments in Regional Health Sector

Edited by: Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah – Paaps – 

Goaso, Ahafo Region – The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has officially launched the Government’s flagship Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) Initiative in the Ahafo Region, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to delivering Universal Health Coverage and ensuring that every Ghanaian can access quality healthcare without financial hardship.

The launch, held in Goaso in the Asunafo North Municipality, followed a similar rollout in the Western North Region and coincided with the presentation of medical equipment to health facilities across the region.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Akandoh explained that the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares) are complementary interventions aimed at strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.

Under the initiative, treatment for illnesses managed at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, and polyclinics will be provided free of charge, with the Government fully covering the cost. The programme is currently being implemented in an initial 150 districts and is expected to achieve nationwide coverage by the end of 2028.

The Minister noted that the initiative represents a strategic shift from a healthcare system focused primarily on treating illness to one that prioritises disease prevention, early diagnosis, and community-based healthcare delivery.

As part of efforts to improve healthcare services in the Ahafo Region, Hon. Akandoh announced the deployment of more than 252 health professionals to the region, with an additional 30 personnel expected to fill critical staffing gaps. He appealed to traditional authorities, local assemblies, and community members to support and provide a welcoming environment for newly posted health workers.

He further disclosed that Government is developing both financial and non-financial incentive packages to improve staff retention, particularly in underserved communities.

The Minister also announced plans to construct a Regional Hospital and a Regional Medical Stores facility in Ahafo by 2027 to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to essential medical supplies.

Addressing the longstanding backlog of approximately 100,000 qualified but unemployed health professionals, Hon. Akandoh outlined three key strategies to address the challenge. These include facilitating the managed migration of nurses for employment abroad, expanding recruitment into underserved communities, and reviewing admission quotas in health training institutions to better align graduate output with available employment opportunities.

According to the Minister, while health training institutions admit about 35,000 students annually, Government currently has the capacity to recruit fewer than 16,000 health workers each year, making reforms necessary to ensure long-term sustainability.

During visits to the Amankwaakrom CHPS Compound and the Sankore Health Centre in the Asunafo South District, Hon. Akandoh announced that both facilities would receive motorcycles, tricycles, and additional medical equipment to enhance service delivery and strengthen community outreach.

He also reaffirmed Government’s commitment to completing viable Agenda 111 health projects and integrating them into the country’s broader healthcare expansion agenda.

The Minister further called on the public to respect and protect frontline health workers, stressing that assaults, intimidation, and abuse against healthcare professionals are unacceptable.

The launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative in Ahafo marks another significant step in Government’s efforts to build a more accessible, equitable, and resilient healthcare system that guarantees quality healthcare for all Ghanaians, regardless of their location or financial circumstances.