Accra: The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has issued a warning to directors and senior officials within the health sector that altering approved postings could impact their positions as directors. He made this announcement during a meeting with Bishops of the Catholic Church in Ghana, where he emphasized the importance of discipline, fairness, and adherence to administrative protocols.
According to Ghana Web, the minister noted that the government is prioritizing underserved regions and districts in the deployment of health workers to ensure equitable access to healthcare. Akandoh outlined several government interventions, such as the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCare), all aimed at enhancing access to quality healthcare services.
Discussing the Agenda 111 hospital projects, the Minister acknowledged existing challenges, including funding constraints and delays that have left many facilities incomplete. The government, he said, is focused on completing 35 priority projects to render them operational and beneficial to the public. Akandoh also called upon faith-based organizations, including the Catholic Church, to partner with the government in finishing some of these facilities on a non-profit basis, with the government providing health professionals and support.
The minister praised the Catholic Church's role in healthcare delivery and stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration. Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, commended the Minister's efforts and urged for stronger collaboration between the Ministry and Catholic health institutions. This meeting was part of ongoing stakeholder consultations aimed at strengthening partnerships and improving healthcare delivery across the nation.