Accra, March 17, – The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has urged greater collaboration among stakeholders to tackle persistent healthcare challenges in the Greater Accra Region, including the notorious “no bed syndrome” and increasing maternal mortality.
Dr Robert Amesiya, Acting Regional Director of Health Services, highlighted that although the region is the most resourced in terms of facilities, systemic issues continue to limit effective healthcare delivery.
“Our region is the most populated and cosmopolitan, with diverse health needs… but having facilities alone does not give you the answers,” he said during the opening of the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate (GARHD) 2025 Annual Performance Review Meeting.
The meeting, held under the theme “Improving Performance and Health Outcomes through Partnerships and Excellence in Health Service Delivery,” addressed public concerns over emergency care access. Dr Amesiya noted repeated cases where critically ill patients were referred from one hospital to another due to lack of available beds.
He also sounded the alarm on maternal and perinatal mortality, reporting that indicators worsened between 2024 and 2025 despite the concentration of major hospitals in the region. To tackle the challenge, the Directorate introduced a zonal approach, dividing the region into six zones to conduct maternal death audits and develop targeted interventions.
Supporting the call, Dr Caroline Elizabeth Randolph-Emissah, Acting Deputy Director-General of GHS, emphasised the need for technological solutions, including a real-time digital dashboard to track bed availability and guide ambulance services, moving away from the current reactive system.
“Health service delivery is not merely about infrastructure or equipment… it’s about people, systems, and partnerships,” she said, calling for public-private collaboration, improved data sharing, and community engagement.
The meeting also highlighted workforce challenges, noting that poor accommodation and working conditions were affecting staff retention.
Linda Akweley Ocloo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, expressed concern over rising reports of medical negligence and misuse of public resources, particularly ambulance services.
While the health sector has achieved progress in immunisation, disease surveillance, and primary care, systemic bottlenecks in emergency care and maternal health remain critical.
Stakeholders emphasised a multi-sectoral approach involving government, private providers, traditional authorities, and communities to improve service delivery. The meeting is expected to produce actionable recommendations to guide healthcare planning in the coming year.
GHBUSS
17 March 2026
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