Hot SourceThe Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has charged senior managers of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to reset the country’s healthcare delivery system in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking at the 2025 Senior Managers’ Meeting of the Ghana Health Service in Accra, held under the theme “Resetting Healthcare Delivery for Effective Governance, Equitable and Sustainable Financing to Achieve Universal Health Coverage,” the Minister called for renewed commitment to accountability, equitable financing and quality service delivery.
Reviewing the health sector’s 2024 performance, Mr Akandoh commended district hospitals for achieving key milestones including the submission of quarterly IGF budget and expenditure reports for the first time, securing HEFRA accreditation, and establishing Regional Maternal Mortality Task Forces.
However, he stressed that maternal mortality remains a national emergency. “Every maternal death must be treated as preventable until proven otherwise,” he said.
On the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the Minister announced wide-ranging interventions such as community screening for cardiovascular diseases, the expansion of oncology and dialysis services, enhanced NHIS coverage for chronic care, pollution control measures, and the full implementation of the Mental Health Act. He said the government’s target is to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030.
Mr Akandoh also urged health workers to improve client care, noting with concern the rise in medicolegal cases. He called for greater empathy, professionalism and respect in dealing with patients, alongside strict adherence to protocols and continuous training.
To strengthen accountability, the Minister directed all district and regional hospitals to create two dedicated IGF accounts—one for infrastructure and the other for equipment maintenance. He warned that any attempt to circumvent this directive would not be tolerated.
Reaffirming government’s commitment to integrity in healthcare delivery, he pledged stronger collaboration with CHAG, the private sector and development partners to build an equitable and resilient health system.
“Behind every policy lies a human face. We owe our people excellence, not excuses; results, not reports,” he added.
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