Kwabena Mintah Akandoh announces GH‵32bn health sector budget for 2026

Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has unveiled a GH‵32 billion planned expenditure for the health sector in 2026. Speaking at a Health Sector Update Engagement in Accra, the Minister emphasized that the government is prioritizing healthcare investment to significantly enhance access across the country. The proposed funding aims to bolster primary healthcare services, address infrastructural deficits, and expand the medical workforce to reach underserved communities.

Central to the government’s strategy is the expansion of the Free Primary Healthcare programme. Currently active in 135 districts and serving approximately 4,500 facilities, the initiative is slated to reach 150 districts within the year. To support this rollout, the Ministry plans to deploy 8,000 additional health professionals specifically to primary and rural healthcare roles. Furthermore, the government has already distributed 7,000 motorbikes and tricycles to health workers to facilitate movement and service delivery in remote areas.

Beyond primary care, the Ministry is focused on large-scale infrastructure and technology. Plans include the construction of six regional hospitals and a new 400-bed facility at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which is expected to be completed by 2027. Akandoh also highlighted the development of two new cardiology centers and the implementation of a digital bed management system. This technological intervention is designed to tackle the persistent "no bed syndrome" by providing real-time data on bed availability across various healthcare facilities.

Addressing the financial sustainability of the sector, the Minister revealed that the government has paid GH‵2.1 billion in National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims to various providers. This move is intended to ensure the liquidity of hospitals and clinics participating in the scheme. The engagement, which was attended by health unions and traditional leaders, served as a platform to demonstrate the impact of current investments, which Akandoh stated are already beginning to show results in improved patient access to care.