Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed deep concern about the low turnout of newly posted medical doctors, especially in the Upper West and Upper East regions, where no doctor had reported as of Friday.
The Minister revealed that data from the Ghana Health Service indicated worrying gaps that threaten equitable healthcare delivery. “As of last Friday, the update on the posting of new medical officers across the country is not encouraging,” Akandoh said.
Addressing the media on the status of postings across the country, he emphasised that the government’s new policy, which deploys doctors to underserved districts, must not be misconstrued as a punitive measure.
“Posting medical officers to districts should not be seen as punishment. It is an equitable distribution of our health workforce. We are posting doctors where they are needed most,” he insisted.
The minister announced that newly posted doctors will be given an additional one-week grace period to report to their assigned facilities. However, he was clear that postings will not be changed under any circumstances.
“Unfortunately, there is no way we are going to change anything here. After one week, we will conduct validation. We expect them to report,” he stated firmly.
Akandoh added that his outfit is engaging regional stakeholders, including DCEs, MPs, and traditional authorities, to ensure the medical officers settle and work comfortably.
To encourage compliance, the Health Ministry has begun discussions on incentives, although the minister stopped short of detailing them. “Government will look at how we can incentivise them to give their best. Some arrangements, including accommodation, are already underway,” he disclosed.
He reiterated his confidence that the doctors would eventually respond to the national call.
Akandoh cited a disturbing imbalance in the distribution of doctors across the country. “We have nearly 50% of all medical doctors in this country in Greater Accra alone. That is scary.”
He stressed that this imbalance undermines national health equity and justifies the urgent need for redistribution.
Regional Breakdown of Reporting (GHS Facilities Only)
Akandoh provided the following statistics as of Friday:
Upper West – 35 posted, 0 reported
Upper East – 32 posted, 0 reported
North East – 19 posted, 0 reported
Oti – 21 posted, 1 reported
Northern Region – 32 posted, 7 reported
Savannah – 19 posted, 7 reported
Bono Region – 37 posted, 15 reported
Western Region – 37 posted, 14 reported
Western North – 31 posted, 2 reported
Central Region – 20 posted, 8 reported
Eastern Region – 23 posted, 11 reported
Volta Region – 27 posted, 9 reported
Ashanti Region – 100 posted, 40 reported
Bono East – 25 posted, 11 reported
Ahafo – 21 posted, 8 reported
Greater Accra – 20 posted, 16 reported
He noted that these figures reflect only Ghana Health Service facilities and exclude CHAG and other healthcare institutions.
Akandoh assured medical doctors that his office remains open for dialogue but underscored that national interest comes first. “If there are any challenges, I am ready to meet them. But the postings cannot be changed,” he stressed.
