The Deputy Minister for Health, Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in the Northern Region, announcing that 18 out of 25 newly posted doctors to Ghana Health Service (GHS) facilities in the region have reported for duty.
Speaking during a working visit to Tamale, she disclosed that of about 700 doctors deployed nationwide in the latest batch, 32 were assigned to the Northern Region. Eight were posted to facilities under the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), while 25 were allocated to the Ghana Health Service. So far, 18 of those assigned to GHS facilities have taken up their posts.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah said the government’s target is to ensure that every district hospital has at least two doctors, urging Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to help create conditions that will retain medical officers in the region. She stressed that while government is prepared to replace those who fail to report, priority will be given to supporting committed personnel willing to serve in rural and underserved communities.
The Deputy Minister also announced that a second batch of doctors will soon be deployed to address staffing gaps nationwide, as part of efforts to ensure equitable distribution of healthcare professionals.
On infrastructure and logistics, she revealed that retooling of health facilities will begin ahead of the rollout of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare programme in April 2026. She noted that a comprehensive national assessment had been conducted to tackle systemic challenges, including the persistent “no-bed syndrome,” which she described as an issue involving staffing, equipment and broader health system capacity.
To address recurring equipment breakdowns, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah disclosed plans to establish a special purpose vehicle to manage and maintain medical equipment. She observed that several machines procured under previous retooling initiatives had become non-functional due to poor maintenance, adding that new arrangements would prioritise service agreements and warranties.
She expressed optimism that ongoing reforms, including “MahamaCare” and the Free Primary Healthcare policy, would significantly improve healthcare access and delivery across the country.
Northern Regional Minister Adolf Ali John pledged support for the newly posted doctors, assuring them of assistance from his office while respecting their professional independence.