Health Minister Announces Recruitment of 16,000 Health Workers in 2026

Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that the government will recruit 16,000 health workers before the end of 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system and address persistent staffing shortages across the country.

Speaking at the Annual Health Summit in Accra on Tuesday, June 9, the minister revealed that recruitment for about 8,000 health workers has already been completed, with the remaining positions expected to be filled in subsequent phases.

According to him, the planned recruitment forms part of a broader health workforce expansion programme being implemented by the government.

“In 2025 alone, more than 14,000 health workers were placed on the government payroll. This year, we intend to recruit an additional 16,000 health workers, with recruitment already completed for approximately 8,000. We are strengthening deployment to underserved areas,” he stated.

The initiative represents one of the largest health sector recruitment drives in recent years and is aimed at tackling workforce deficits, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The minister also highlighted significant progress in deploying medical professionals to areas that have traditionally struggled to attract healthcare personnel.

“In 2024, only 12 medical doctors accepted postings to underserved regions, and these regions are eight in number. In 2026, we have successfully placed 100 doctors in these same regions, and we are not done,” Akandoh said.

The increase from 12 to 100 doctors posted to underserved regions within two years reflects efforts to ensure a more equitable distribution of healthcare services nationwide.

The announcements made at the summit underscore the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery through increased recruitment, better deployment strategies, and enhanced access to medical professionals in hard-to-reach communities.

With half of the planned recruitments already completed and a notable rise in doctor placements to underserved areas, attention will now turn to whether the remaining 8,000 positions can be filled on schedule and whether these gains can be sustained in the long term.

By: Radio1/ Paulina Armah.