‘We are in the process’ – Health Minister reviews eight months in office

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has outlined the progress made in Ghana’s health sector eight months into his tenure, emphasizing ongoing initiatives to strengthen healthcare delivery and local pharmaceutical production.

Speaking on TV3 on August 25, 2025, he highlighted measures to motivate health workers, expand rural services, and boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

On health worker motivation, the Minister said, “We are in the process… one of the motivations we talked about was to sponsor some of the health tutors in the ministry to upgrade themselves and come back to teach.’’

In regards to rural healthcare, Akandoh noted plans to ensure sustainable funding for health services after 2026, including decentralizing the National Health Insurance Fund retention system at CHPS compounds to maintain uninterrupted 24-hour service.

He also discussed Ghana’s ambition to become a pharmaceutical hub.

“His Excellency John Ramani Mahama wants to position Ghana as a pharmaceutical hub…two private companies, DEK and Atlantic Life Sciences, are producing vaccines locally,” he said. The Minister emphasized linking farmers to pharmaceutical production to source raw materials locally instead of importing them.

Regarding mental health, Akandoh said the focus is on integration from the community level upwards.

“When you go to a CHPS compound or district hospital, you have a nurse who specializes in attending to mental health issues,” he explained.

On pandemic preparedness, he stressed that Ghana is ready to respond. “We detect cases very early and on time and we fight them…we continue to improve health facilities and build isolation centers across the country,” he said.

The Minister concluded by noting that while the government provides funding, collaboration with corporate Ghana remains critical. “The government cannot do it all alone…we are sharing and lowering the burden on our own citizens,” he stated.

By Joyce Kpeglo