The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called for a holistic approach to healthcare development in Ghana, emphasizing the urgent need for improved infrastructure to complement medical personnel and equipment.
He made this statement during a discussion with the Egyptian Ambassador to Ghana, highlighting the country’s pressing healthcare challenges.
“If you want to leave a legacy in this country, let it be whole. Let it be absolute,” the Minister stated. He drew from a local proverb, stressing the importance of fully supporting any initiative to a point where its impact is significant and widely recognized.
Hon. Akandoh acknowledged Egypt’s willingness to support Ghana’s healthcare system by providing physicians and medical equipment.
However, he pointed out that Ghana’s most critical need is infrastructure.
“We have a huge infrastructure deficit in the health sector. That is what we need most,” he emphasized.
The Minister lamented the state of unfinished healthcare projects across the country.
“As I speak to you now, the former administration left not less than 87 uncompleted hospital projects across the length and breadth of this country. Not a single one is in operation,” he revealed.
The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh further highlighted that despite Ghana having 16 regions, six of the newly created regions still lack a regional hospital, which he considers a fundamental necessity.
“There is so much pressure on the existing healthcare facilities,” Hon. Akandoh noted. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring universal healthcare access. “His Excellency has directed that we have free primary health care so that every Ghanaian can have access to primary health care.”
Story by Freedom Lavoe.
