Samuel Arkhurst, Coordinating Director (Technical) at the Ministry of Finance, has disclosed that government is intensifying reforms aimed at strengthening oversight, traceability, formalisation, border controls, financial integrity, and institutional coordination across Ghana’s gold sector. Mr. Arkhurst made the remarks when he delivered a speech on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, at the opening session of the Training of Trainers programme held at the Police Detective Training Academy on Wednesday. According to him, the Ministry of Finance has assumed a central coordination role in strengthening Ghana’s national response to illicit financial flows and Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) risks associated with the gold sector. He explained that the initiative forms part of Ghana’s preparations towards the upcoming Mutual Evaluation Process by the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). Mr. Arkhurst noted that the Training of Trainers programme represents an integral component of the broader national effort to strengthen investigative, analytical, and operational capabilities across institutions involved in combating gold smuggling and related financial crimes. He further indicated that the programme seeks to deepen institutional collaboration and operational coordination among participating agencies to improve enforcement outcomes. “As this is a Training of Trainers programme, the Ministry of Finance places particular importance on the expectation that participants will cascade the knowledge, skills, and operational lessons acquired here within their respective institutions,” he stated. Mr. Arkhurst commended the Ghana Police Service, particularly the Police Detective Training Academy, for integrating gold sector investigations into the standard detective training curriculum. According to him, the move represents a significant step towards institutionalising Ghana’s national capability to effectively respond to gold-related financial crimes and organised criminal activities over the long term. He also expressed appreciation to the organisers, facilitators, technical experts, and participants for their dedication and commitment to the national assignment. Mr. Arkhurst encouraged participants and their institutions to continue strengthening cooperation across government agencies and to apply lessons from the programme in advancing Ghana’s fight against illicit financial flows. Quoting from the famous literary work Alice in Wonderland, he urged participants to remain focused on the country’s collective objective. “For if you don't know where you are going, every road will lead you anywhere. But for us in this room, we know where we are going,” he remarked. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, has underscored the urgent need for law enforcement agencies to focus on the financial structures and criminal networks behind gold smuggling and illicit financial flows in Ghana. According to her, investigations into gold-related crimes must go beyond arrests, seizures, and interceptions, and rather concentrate on dismantling the financial systems, facilitators, and organised criminal syndicates that profit from illegal gold trading activities. Speaking at the opening session of a Training of Trainers programme at the Police Detective Training Academy on Wednesday, COP Donkor explained that gold smuggling and illicit financial flows have become increasingly sophisticated and are now largely driven by organised transnational criminal networks that exploit gaps within enforcement systems, financial structures, and supply chains. She noted that the evolving nature of the gold sector requires investigators to acquire advanced and specialised investigative skills capable of responding to the growing complexity of gold-related crimes. “These cases are often complex, cross-jurisdictional, and financially driven, requiring specialised investigative capability and stronger operational coordination between institutions,” she stated. COP Donkor stressed that the Ghana Police Service recognises the strategic importance of strengthening law enforcement capacity to effectively detect, investigate, and disrupt organised criminal activities linked to the gold sector. She indicated that investigators must increasingly develop expertise in areas such as financial investigation techniques, intelligence gathering, evidence collection, asset tracing, and inter-agency collaboration to effectively tackle the menace. “To effectively disrupt gold smuggling networks and illicit financial flows, investigations must also focus on the underlying financial structures, facilitators, and criminal networks that enable and profit from these activities,” she emphasised. The CID Director-General further highlighted the importance of parallel financial investigations and the use of financial intelligence in identifying the individuals and networks benefitting from illegal gold operations. According to her, strengthening the use of financial analysis and asset tracing mechanisms will play a crucial role in achieving long-term disruption and deterrence against gold-related organised crime. She also called for enhanced operational collaboration between the Ghana Police Service and key state institutions including the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), GoldBod, and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. COP Donkor explained that stronger intelligence sharing, coordinated case referrals, joint investigations, and improved financial analysis between institutions would significantly improve Ghana’s ability to combat illicit financial flows and organised criminal networks operating within the gold sector. “We recognise that no single institution can effectively address these threats alone, and that sustained collaboration across enforcement, intelligence, regulatory, and financial oversight institutions will be critical to success,” she added. She described the Training of Trainers programme as an important initiative aimed at strengthening the practical investigative and operational capabilities of officers and institutions involved in combating gold smuggling and illicit financial crimes. COP Donkor noted that the Training of Trainers model was particularly valuable because it would allow participants to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired to other officers and institutions, thereby building sustainable institutional capacity across the country. In a significant development, she announced that the Police Detective Training Academy had agreed to incorporate a specialised gold-sector investigations module into the standard detective training curriculum of the Ghana Police Service. She described the move as a major step towards institutionalising specialist investigative capability within the Service and ensuring that investigators are adequately equipped to respond to evolving forms of gold-related organised and financial crimes. The CID boss reaffirmed the commitment of the Ghana Police Service to working closely with both national and international partners to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and protect the integrity of Ghana’s gold sector. She finally commended all facilitators and participants for their dedication and encouraged officers to approach the training with a strong operational mindset to improve investigations and enforcement outcomes within their respective institutions. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Youth and Sports Minister, Alhaji Rashid Pelpuo has charged the Ghana national football team to play with patriotism, determination, and commitment whenever they wear the national jersey. In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com on Tuesday, he described their call-up to the national team as a duty to the people of Ghana, stressing that millions of Ghanaians are counting on them to make the nation proud in the upcoming World Cup 2026. “This is a national call. You have been called upon by the people of Ghana to represent them. Thirty million people want you to score, want you to play, and want you to lift the image of Ghana,” he stated. According to him, the Black Stars must prove through their performance that Ghana remains a football nation capable of competing strongly against the best teams in the world. “They want you to demonstrate that Ghana is a football nation and that we can showcase our strength beyond this country,” he added. Alhaji Pelpuo further urged the players not to focus solely on personal benefits, but rather on the honour and responsibility that comes with representing Ghana. “The biggest benefit is the patriotism you show and the contribution you make to the name and best interests of Ghana,” he noted. He encouraged the players to make good use of the talent they have built over the years and always approach matches with a winning mentality. “If you are involved in a match, your objective must be to win. There is nothing more valuable than victory. When you lose, you lose your image and the nation suffers with you,” he stressed. The Former Youth and Sports Minister also reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Black Stars, insisting that they remain the only football team he truly supports. “I don’t have any team in the world apart from the Black Stars. Whether European teams, American teams, or any other clubs, my team is the Black Stars,” he declared. He further pledged his continuous support for both the senior national team and Ghana’s domestic football league, saying he would continue to attend and follow local matches closely. He concluded by calling on the current generation of players to emulate the commitment, discipline, and fighting spirit demonstrated by past Ghanaian football legends who brought pride to the nation. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Youth and Sports Minister, Rashid Pelpuo has called for full independence for the coach of the Ghana national football team, stressing that technical decisions must be made objectively and without external interference. Speaking exclusively with Thinknewsonline.com on the sidelines of the yet-to-be announced Black Stars squad, a coach must be allowed to select players based on merit, quality, and tactical needs rather than public pressure or outside influence. “It is important to be strong. The coach must be objective in choosing players for particular positions. He must already know the qualities he is looking for before searching for the players,” he stated. The Former Sports Minister now Labour and Employment Minister, recalled his time as a government official overseeing sports matters, revealing that he always respected the independence of coaches and never imposed players on them. “When I was a minister, I always insisted that the coach should be left alone. I never proposed to him to take this player or that player. I only encouraged him to do the right thing,” he explained. He recounted Ghana’s campaign in Angola, where the team came under heavy criticism after losing its opening match, but he maintained confidence in the technical team, which eventually guided Ghana to the finals. “When we went to Angola, we were criticized after losing the first match, but I still believed in the coach, and eventually he took us to the finals,” he added. He further advised the technical team to encourage disciplined and intelligent football, particularly around Ghana’s penalty area. He cautioned players against unnecessary dribbling in dangerous areas and urged them to adopt quick passing to reduce costly mistakes. “The players should avoid holding on to the ball for too long near our post. They should pass quickly and create opportunities instead of unnecessary dribbling,” he stressed. According to him, players should also develop the confidence to take shots whenever opportunities arise, noting that unexpected efforts on goal often produce important results. “Sometimes the shots that may not even look necessary are the ones that eventually bring goals,” he noted. He, however, clarified that he was not attempting to coach the team, but merely offering observations as a passionate supporter of Ghana football. “I am not trying to coach the team, but the boys must be encouraged not to play too much with the ball around the midfield and near the 18-yard box. We want quick passing and effective football,” he concluded. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Youth and Sports Minister, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, has thrown his weight behind calls for the recall of André Ayew to the Ghana national football team, describing the experienced forward as a committed fighter who still has a lot to offer the national team. Speaking exclusively to Thinknewsonline.com on Tuesday, the former Youth and Sports Minister now Labour, Jobs and Employment Minister said this is a decisive period for Ghana football and the country must take bold decisions to restore the Black Stars to the summit of African football and beyond. According to him, Ghana must build a stronger and more competitive team capable of making a serious impact at the FIFA World Cup. “This is a very decisive moment for Ghana to demonstrate that we are still stalwarts in African football and indeed world football. When we stand for Africa, we go far,” he stated. Dr. Pelpuo, who served as Sports Minister under the late President John Evans Atta Mills in 2009, stressed that decisions concerning the Black Stars must always be transparent and geared towards achieving success. “We need to take concrete decisions and ensure that all the decisions we take are open and geared towards helping us win the World Cup, not just to participate,” he noted. The Former Minister recalled his first interaction with André Ayew during Ghana’s Under-20 campaign in Egypt, where the player impressed him immensely with his determination, courage, and commitment. “I first got into contact with André Ayew directly when he played for the Under-20 team in Egypt" "He demonstrated strength, courage, and commitment,” he recounted. He disclosed that after observing the performances of the youth team, he encouraged the technical handlers to promote several of the players into the senior national team ahead of Ghana’s campaign in Angola. “When I spoke to the coach, I urged him to promote the young players to the Black Stars. They were excited and committed themselves fully, and eventually they helped Ghana reach the finals in Angola,” he said. Although Ghana narrowly lost the final to Egypt, Alhaji Pelpuo described the team’s performance as memorable and inspiring. Throwing his support behind Ayew’s possible return, he argued that the veteran forward still possesses qualities capable of motivating and strengthening the Black Stars, especially at a time the team is dealing with injuries and transition under a new coach. “If André Ayew is retiring from the Black Stars, I believe he should play his last World Cup for Ghana, because he is a fighter." "He tackles, dribbles, shoots, and is always searching for goals,” he stressed. The former Sports Minister maintained that national team selection must always be based on quality, commitment, and performance rather than background or public perception. “When I describe André Ayew, I do not talk about his background. I talk about his courage, commitment, forcefulness, and ability to fight for goals. Those are the qualities we need in the Black Stars,” he added. He concluded by insisting that any player with the determination, quality, and passion to serve Ghana deserves an opportunity to represent the nation at the highest level. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A joint operation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has led to the arrest of a 36-year-old businessman from East Legon over allegations of drugging, sexually abusing and secretly filming women before allegedly distributing the videos online. The suspect, identified as Joshua Kojo Anane Boate, was picked up by investigators following what police describe as an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the CID’s Cybercrime Unit in collaboration with the BNI. Addressing the media in Accra, CID Director-General, Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, revealed that the suspect is alleged to have managed a Telegram channel known as “VIP Sleep Fetish 2025,” where explicit content involving women was reportedly shared without their consent. Preliminary investigations indicate that some of the victims may have been lured from nightclubs and allegedly given sedative substances believed to be alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, before being assaulted while unconscious. Police further disclosed that the incidents were allegedly recorded secretly and later uploaded onto the Telegram platform. During a search at the suspect’s residence, investigators retrieved several electronic gadgets and substances suspected to be drugs. Authorities say forensic examination is currently underway to support ongoing investigations into the case. The CID says efforts are ongoing to identify and support possible victims connected to the alleged crimes. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu has called on the Mahama administration to maintain fiscal discipline and intensify investments in food systems, particularly in storage, irrigation, and transportation infrastructure, to help sustain Ghana’s declining inflation trend and address regional disparities in market access. Speaking on Ghana’s April 2026 inflation figures, Dr. Iddrisu noted that although inflation rose marginally to 3.4% in April 2026 from 3.2% in March 2026, the rate remains significantly lower than the 21.2% recorded in April 2025, representing a sharp decline of 17.8 percentage points. According to him, the current trend reflects improving economic conditions and easing pressure on consumers despite recent month-on-month increases in prices. Data released by the Ghana Statistical Service showed that overall prices increased by 1.0% between March and April 2026. Food inflation declined slightly to 2.2% in April 2026 from 2.3% in March 2026, while food prices recorded a month-on-month increase of 0.8%. Non-food inflation, however, increased to 4.2% in April 2026 from 3.9% in March 2026, with prices rising by 1.1% over the same period. Inflation for goods slowed to 1.1% in April 2026 from 1.7% in March 2026. Dr. Iddrisu explained that the decline offers some relief to consumers since goods account for nearly three-quarters of the Consumer Price Index basket. Services inflation, on the other hand, rose sharply to 9.6% in April 2026 from 7.2% in March 2026, although month-on-month prices for services increased moderately by 0.4%. The Government Statistician further disclosed that inflation for locally produced items fell to 4.7% in April 2026 from 4.9% in March 2026, while inflation for imported items increased to 0.5% from negative 0.6% recorded in March 2026. Dr. Iddrisu also highlighted sharp regional disparities in inflation across the country. According to him, the North East Region recorded the highest inflation rate at 9.5%, while the Savannah Region recorded the lowest at negative 3.5%. He attributed the disparities to factors including local supply challenges, transportation costs, and unequal market access across regions. To businesses, Dr. Iddrisu advised firms to improve operational efficiency, strengthen local supply chains, reduce avoidable costs, and where possible, transfer savings to consumers through stable pricing. He also encouraged households to carefully monitor their spending, prioritize essential goods and services, and avoid unnecessary expenditures as the country continues efforts to stabilize the economy. Story by: Hawa Abubakar

Ghana’s emergency healthcare and disaster response system is expected to receive a major boost as the Ghana Red Cross Society announces plans to establish a modern 100-bed humanitarian hospital. The President of the Society, Edward Donkor, made the disclosure during the 2026 World Red Cross Day celebration, where he underscored the growing need for a specialised medical facility dedicated to emergency response and epidemic preparedness. He explained that the proposed hospital is intended to serve as a national centre for managing public health emergencies, disasters and disease outbreaks, while also offering specialised medical care to vulnerable individuals regardless of their financial circumstances. According to Mr. Donkor, recent national emergencies and outbreaks exposed critical gaps within the country’s healthcare preparedness system, making the establishment of the facility both timely and necessary. He noted that beyond emergency care, the project aligns with the Ghana Red Cross Society’s broader humanitarian vision of improving healthcare access, strengthening community resilience and supporting underserved populations across the country. Mr. Donkor further highlighted the Society’s ongoing humanitarian interventions, including disaster relief support, climate adaptation programmes, first aid training and community-based health initiatives aimed at improving lives in vulnerable communities. The Ghana Red Cross Society President also called for increased government support and sustainable domestic funding to strengthen the organisation’s operations. He appealed for the passage of a new Ghana Red Cross Act, which he believes would enhance the Society’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies nationwide. He stressed that stronger partnerships between government, humanitarian organisations and development partners would play a key role in improving healthcare delivery and ensuring Ghana is better prepared to respond to future disasters and health crises. Story by: Hawa Abubakar

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (MP), has called on residents of the Oti Region to fully embrace the government’s #FreePrimaryHealthCare initiative and desist from self-medication, stressing that the policy is designed to bring quality and affordable healthcare services closer to the people. According to the Minister, self-medication continues to pose serious health risks to many Ghanaians, especially in rural communities where people often resort to taking drugs without proper medical consultation. He explained that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, introduced by the John Dramani Mahama administration, seeks to remove financial barriers that prevent citizens from accessing healthcare at the early stages of illness. Mr. Akandoh made the remarks during separate townhall meetings held at Kpelema and Dambai communities in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region as part of activities marking the official rollout of the initiative in the region. Addressing residents, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, health workers, and members of the Muslim community, the Minister emphasized that the initiative is not only about free treatment but also about preventive healthcare and early detection of diseases. He disclosed that health workers would soon be deployed into communities and homes to conduct blood pressure checks and other essential health screenings to help identify health conditions before they become severe. “We want to move healthcare from the hospitals into the communities. Our health workers will visit homes, monitor blood pressure, educate residents, and provide basic health checks to ensure people remain healthy,” he stated. The Minister further called for intensified public education on the initiative to ensure every resident in the Oti Region understands the benefits and takes full advantage of the programme. He noted that government alone cannot achieve the objectives of the initiative without the support of traditional leaders, religious bodies, community leaders, and the media. Mr. Akandoh also used the opportunity to appeal to chiefs and residents in Dambai not to allow local disputes and misunderstandings to affect the safety of health workers serving in the area. “The lives of my health workers here are very important to me. They should not become victims of your differences. They are the same people who will attend to you when you need healthcare. Please, leave them out of your misunderstandings,” he appealed. Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), announced major reforms under the initiative aimed at improving access to healthcare services. According to him, Ghanaians will no longer pay NHIS premiums or processing fees, adding that the long-standing waiting period before NHIS cards become active would also be abolished. “Henceforth, no Ghanaian will pay premium, processing fees, or wait for one month before their NHIS begins to function,” he disclosed. Dr. Djokoto described the initiative as a major step toward achieving universal healthcare coverage and ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied healthcare because of financial difficulties. On his part, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, stated that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative is intended to restore dignity to ordinary Ghanaians by ensuring people no longer have to beg for money before seeking medical care. Prof. Akoriyea said many vulnerable families delay seeking treatment due to financial constraints, a situation he believes the initiative would address. “This policy is about restoring dignity to the ordinary Ghanaian. Nobody should have to beg for money before going to the hospital,” he stated. As part of activities during the official launch, health workers staged an educative and captivating drama performance highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare, early reporting to health facilities, and the dangers associated with self-medication. Residents who attended the meetings welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism that it would significantly improve healthcare delivery in the Oti Region and beyond. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has engaged the Muslim Community and Chiefs in Dambai on the government’s Free Primary Health Care initiative being implemented under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama. The separate engagements took place on Friday at the Dambai Central Mosque and the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, where stakeholders gathered to discuss the impact and implementation of the policy. Addressing the Muslim community and traditional leaders, the Health Minister dismissed claims that the initiative was intended to replace the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). According to him, the Mahama administration remains committed to strengthening the NHIS rather than creating a parallel structure. “We are not going to set up any parallel structure against the NHIS. It is the same NHIS that will handle the disbursement,” he stated. Mr. Akandoh also used the opportunity to appeal to the Chiefs of Dambai to ensure that health workers operating in the area are protected from local disputes and tensions. “The lives of my health workers here are very important to me. They should not become victims of your differences." "They are the same people who will attend to you when you need healthcare. Please, leave them out of your misunderstandings,” he appealed. On his part, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea explained that the Free Primary Health Care initiative is designed to restore dignity to ordinary Ghanaians by removing financial barriers to healthcare access. He stressed that the intervention would ensure that citizens no longer have to struggle or depend on financial assistance before seeking medical treatment. According to him, the initiative reflects government’s commitment to accessible and equitable healthcare delivery across the country. Prof. Akoriyea further joined calls for the protection of healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding medical personnel in all circumstances. “We don’t want any conflicts in Ghana, but should any happen, let’s prioritize the safety and lives of our health workers so they can continue delivering healthcare services,” he stated. The Chiefs and leaders of the Muslim Community commended the government for introducing the initiative and pledged their support towards its success. They assured the delegation that they would educate their subjects and community members on the benefits of the policy to encourage public participation and acceptance. Participants at both meetings also shared their views, concerns, and expectations regarding the Free Primary Health Care initiative during the interactive sessions. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, has clarified that the government’s recently launched Free Primary Healthcare initiative is not intended to replace the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), contrary to speculations circulating among sections of the public. According to the Minister, the initiative is designed to complement the NHIS and strengthen access to healthcare delivery across the country. Speaking to health workers in the Oti Region on Thursday night, Mr Akandoh explained that the government has allocated between GH¢1.2 billion and GH¢1.5 billion towards the implementation of the programme, assuring stakeholders of its sustainability. He stated that unlike the previous administration’s policy of “capping and realignment,” which diverted portions of NHIS revenues into the Consolidated Fund for non-health-related expenditures, the current government is committing all NHIS levy proceeds directly into the health sector. “The previous regime had a concept or legislation called capping or realignment. It means that when the NHIS raked in about GH¢9 billion, only GH¢6 billion was allocated to NHIS expenditure, while the remaining GH¢3 billion went into the Consolidated Fund for other purposes,” he said. Mr Akandoh noted that in 2025 alone, government mobilised nearly GH¢9 billion to GH¢10 billion through the NHIS levy, all of which was fully allocated to the health sector. He further stressed that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative would not create parallel structures outside the NHIS framework. “We are not going to set parallel structures against the NHIS. No, it is the same NHIS that is going to do the disbursement,” he stated. The Minister added that allocations to the NHIS are approved annually by Parliament, describing the scheme as one of the country’s most reliable funding mechanisms. “The little we are taking, we are using it where it matters most. We will not use NHIS money to build a cathedral. We will rather use it in the same health sector,” he added. Mr Akandoh reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare financing and improving access to primary healthcare services nationwide. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on African countries to adopt bold and practical measures to bridge the gaps in the training and retention of health professionals, stressing that health remains central to productivity, economic resilience and national security. Speaking at the opening of the Second Africa Health Workforce Investment Forum in Accra on Wednesday, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang questioned why many African countries continued to lose trained health workers despite investing heavily in their education and development. “What makes it so easy for us to use scarce resources to train, and what makes it so difficult for us to retain the people we have trained?” she asked. The forum, organised by the World Health Organization in partnership with the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders, brought together heads of state, ministers, development partners, global health experts and private sector actors to advance implementation of the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter. According to the WHO, nearly 500,000 health workers were trained across Africa between 2022 and 2024. However, one in every ten has already migrated from the continent, while four in ten are considering leaving in search of better opportunities abroad. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that although progress had been made in life expectancy and healthcare delivery, access to universal healthcare remained a challenge for many due to high costs, long distances and inadequate services. She highlighted ongoing government interventions aimed at strengthening Ghana’s health sector, including the rollout of the Free Primary Health Care programme to improve access to essential healthcare services irrespective of insurance coverage. The Vice President also referenced the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which supports persons battling chronic and high-cost illnesses through investment in specialist care, treatment facilities and medical equipment. She stressed that the success of such initiatives depended heavily on a strong and motivated health workforce, describing healthcare professionals as the backbone of national health sovereignty. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang disclosed that government had prioritised the training, recruitment and fair distribution of health personnel nationwide, with about 16,000 health workers expected to be employed this year, many of whom had already received clearance. Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said despite improvements in the number of doctors, nurses and midwives across the continent, African countries still faced challenges relating to deployment, equitable distribution and staff retention. He revealed that Ghana had undertaken a comprehensive health labour market assessment to guide policy reforms and was implementing a national health workforce development strategy to align training, employment and service delivery. Mr Akandoh further announced plans to introduce structured workforce exchange programmes aimed at ensuring ethical and mutually beneficial labour mobility while safeguarding Ghana’s healthcare needs. “These programmes are intended to promote ethical, regular and mutually beneficial labour mobility, protect the needs of Ghana’s health system and create organised opportunities for young Ghanaian health professionals to gain international experience,” he said. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Yakub Janabi, also called for stronger international collaboration and co-investment initiatives to support the training and retention of healthcare professionals across the continent. He urged African leaders and development partners to move beyond policy discussions and focus on practical implementation that would deliver measurable improvements in healthcare systems. “Documents have never saved lives. Actions have done,” Prof. Janabi stated. He further advocated structured government-to-government partnerships that would align international recruitment with investments in training institutions to sustain Africa’s health workforce and reduce migration pressures. Story by; Joshua Kwabena Smith