The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has provided a comprehensive update on Ghana’s health sector, highlighting significant gains made under the government of President John Dramani Mahama during the first half of 2025. Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House on Friday, July 18, the Minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transforming healthcare and improving the well-being of every Ghanaian.
Under the theme “Building a Healthier Ghana Together: Progress and Our Shared Future,” Hon. Akandoh outlined bold steps the Ministry of Health is taking to rebuild and expand the sector despite challenges inherited, including a GHS 12.68 billion debt and incomplete Agenda 111 projects.
“We are not here to dwell on excuses. We are here to deliver,” he declared.
Reviving Health Financing and NHIS
The Minister announced that the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Levy has led to a 50% increase in NHIS revenue, rising from GHS 6.52 billion in 2024 to GHS 9.76 billion in 2025. He also disclosed that arrears of GHS 603 million owed to service providers as of December 2024 have been fully cleared.
Over GHS 1.38 billion has been disbursed to health providers this year, and NHIS membership has grown to 15.67 million, with 670,000 new enrollees.
Investing in the Health Workforce
Hon. Akandoh said over 10,000 nurses and midwives have been employed in the last six months, while salary arrears for 321 pharmacists are being cleared. The government has prioritised recruitment of 1,621 qualified pharmacists and committed to clearing the backlog of over 70,000 health professionals awaiting employment.
To address migration, the Minister revealed that over 13 countries have expressed interest in hiring Ghanaian health workers, and policies are being developed to manage this opportunity.
Nursing training institutions are being transformed, with 40 colleges now undergoing accreditation to offer degree programmes. The Minister also announced that just 24 hours before the event, GHS 462.58 million in allowances had been credited to nursing trainees.
Infrastructure and Service Delivery
The government has completed key health infrastructure projects initiated under COVID-19 response plans, and is working to complete Agenda 111 projects that are more than 80% complete. The Minister said district assemblies have received funding to construct at least two new CHPS compounds each year to improve primary healthcare delivery in rural areas.
Hospitals including Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye have received life-saving equipment like oxygen plants and ventilators. Efforts are ongoing to bridge equipment and maintenance gaps across the country through public-private partnerships.
MahamaCares and Free Primary Healthcare
The Minister touted the Ghana Medical Trust Fund—MahamaCares—as a groundbreaking initiative with a GHS 3 billion annual budget to support patients with chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. It complements NHIS and will provide services not currently covered by the scheme.
He said plans to implement Free Primary Healthcare are progressing, with stakeholder engagements underway to ensure equitable access across communities.
Emergency Services and Vaccines
The National Ambulance Service is collaborating with St John Ambulance to train community-level first responders. Efforts are ongoing to repair and expand the national ambulance fleet.
On vaccines, the Minister announced that Ghana has paid its full US$24.5 million commitment to GAVI and increased its vaccine budget by 46%. Hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses are expected by August.
Vaccine Manufacturing and National Vision
The Health Minister revealed that a private partner has obtained FDA approval to manufacture snake anti-venom serum locally, marking a step towards Ghana’s ambition to become a vaccine manufacturing hub.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Hon. Akandoh admitted that challenges persist, including unemployed health professionals, industrial actions, infrastructure gaps, and maintenance issues. However, he assured Ghanaians that the government is addressing these with urgency and strategic investment.
Looking ahead, he promised continued reforms, professional development, and readiness to deliver on the President’s 24-hour economy agenda. He emphasized the government’s long-term vision to position Ghana as a medical tourism destination and regional pharmaceutical leader.
“These actions are not just plans on paper. They are the foundation of a healthier, stronger Ghana today and for generations to come,” he said.
The Minister concluded by thanking health workers, partners, and citizens for their continued support and reaffirmed the government’s determination to deliver quality, equitable healthcare to every Ghanaian.
