Accra, April 13, 2026 — Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says government’s forthcoming Free Primary Health Care Programme will strengthen early detection of diseases, improve management of chronic conditions, and enhance overall health outcomes nationwide.
He said the initiative, expected to be launched by President John Dramani Mahama on April 15 at Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region, is also designed to reduce healthcare costs by preventing late-stage emergencies.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency, Mr Akandoh explained that many Ghanaians delay seeking medical care due to financial constraints, often resulting in worsened conditions by the time they reach health facilities.
He described Ghana’s health situation as a “triple burden of disease,” where infectious diseases persist alongside a rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancers, and mental health conditions.
According to him, conditions like hypertension and diabetes often progress silently, leaving many patients unaware until severe complications develop.
Citing data from a 2021 study, he noted that only about 35 per cent of people living with hypertension in Ghana were aware of their condition, a situation he said contributes to late hospital presentation with complications such as stroke and kidney failure.
He added that many primary healthcare facilities still lack essential equipment, pointing to survey findings showing that only a small fraction of facilities are fully equipped to deliver basic services.
Mr Akandoh stressed that Ghana’s health system has historically leaned more towards treatment than prevention, a gap the new programme seeks to address.
He explained that the Free Primary Health Care initiative will provide a defined package of essential services at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, and polyclinics, with a stronger focus on preventive and promotive care.
He further noted that services under the programme will be free at the point of delivery, with beneficiaries required only to present a national identification card to access care.
According to him, the reform represents a major shift towards timely, equitable, and preventive healthcare delivery across the country.
GHBUSS
April 13, 2026
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