“Gov't to recruit 16,000 health professionals to strengthen healthcare delivery” – Vice President

Vice President of Ghana, H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has announced government's plans to recruit 16,000 health professionals as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, achieve universal health coverage, and advance the Accra Reset on Health Sovereignty agenda.

Speaking at the 2026 Annual Health Summit in Accra, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang described the Accra Reset as a transformative framework aimed at reducing Africa's dependence on external support while promoting domestic investment, local capacity building, and sustainable healthcare systems.

She noted that government is translating this vision into action through key interventions, including the Free Primary Health Care Initiative, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Care), and strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure and personnel.

According to the Vice President, the planned recruitment will focus on frontline health workers such as community health nurses, midwives, physician assistants, and public health officers to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities across the country.

She stressed that building a resilient health workforce remains critical to achieving universal health coverage, adding that government is committed not only to recruiting more health professionals but also creating conditions that will encourage them to remain and serve in deprived areas.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang therefore called for stronger collaboration among government agencies to improve housing, transportation, security, and other social amenities needed to attract and retain health workers, especially in rural communities.

She also highlighted the need for ethical recruitment practices and bilateral labour agreements to effectively manage the growing migration of healthcare professionals while safeguarding Ghana's health system.

On his part, Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said Ghana's health sector continues to face significant challenges, including emerging diseases, climate-related health threats, non-communicable diseases, and changes in global health financing.

He, however, noted that government has undertaken major reforms to strengthen the sector, including increasing the National Health Insurance Levy, implementing the Free Primary Health Care Initiative, and establishing the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support persons living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Mr. Akandoh disclosed that outpatient attendance at health facilities increased from 29.9 million in 2021 to more than 39 million in 2025, while active National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) membership rose from 57 percent to 66 percent over the same period.

He further revealed that out-of-pocket health expenditure has reduced significantly, providing greater financial protection for Ghanaians seeking healthcare services.

Despite these gains, the Health Minister acknowledged persistent challenges in the distribution and retention of health workers, particularly in rural areas where staffing shortages remain a concern.

"Our challenge today is not simply training more health workers. It is employing them, deploying them equitably, motivating them, supporting them and retaining them," he stated.

Both leaders emphasized that achieving universal health coverage would require sustained investment in a skilled, motivated, and resilient healthcare workforce capable of delivering quality healthcare services to every Ghanaian, regardless of location.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar