The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh to protect the confidence reposed in him by President John Mahama and use his tenure to leave a lasting legacy in Ghana’s healthcare sector.
Otumfuo made the call when the Health Minister and the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace.
The Asantehene cautioned against the politicisation and abandonment of development projects, stressing the need for continuity, accountability and proper maintenance of health infrastructure and equipment.
He urged the Minister to remember that public service is ultimately about the responsible management of resources entrusted to leaders.
“The responsibility is not only to put up the infrastructure. It is also to make sure that what we have put up is maintained and works for the people.”
The Health Minister outlined three key pillars of the government’s healthcare agenda; primary healthcare, the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Cares.
He said the ultimate goal is to achieve Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that access to quality healthcare is not determined by a person’s financial status or geographical location.
“We want to make sure that wherever you are in this country, your ability to access quality healthcare will not depend on how much money you have in your pocket.”
Mr. Akandoh said government is investing in specialised equipment, including cardiac catheterisation laboratories, to expand access to cardiovascular care.
One of the facilities being established at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi is currently at the re-fitting stage, with similar centres planned for other parts of the country.
The Minister also disclosed that government is intensifying efforts to address the unequal distribution of medical doctors across the country.
He announced plans to complete selected Agenda 111 hospital projects, with 35 facilities prioritised for completion, including projects at Trede and Offinso.
Government, he added, is preparing to introduce a technology-driven Bed Management Centre to tackle Ghana’s persistent “No Bed Syndrome” by providing real-time information on bed availability in regional and teaching hospitals.
“We want to move away from a situation where a patient is told there is no bed, when in fact there may be a bed somewhere else. The system will give us real-time visibility of available beds.”
For residents of Sewua, the Minister offered a firm commitment, saying work is progressing on the access road, electricity and water supply to the Sewua hospital project, with the facility expected to be ready for commissioning soon.
“We are working on the access road, electricity and water. We are committed to ensuring that the people of Sewua get the hospital they deserve.”
For the Asantehene, however, the responsibility of managing Ghana’s healthcare system goes beyond building hospitals and procuring equipment.
He said it is about protecting public resources, delivering quality healthcare and creating a legacy that future governments can build upon.
“You have been given the opportunity to serve. Protect the trust that has been placed in you, and make sure that when you leave office, you leave behind something that people will remember you for.”
Otumfuo also cautioned against poor procurement practices and the misuse of public office, urging the Minister to ensure that medical equipment procured with taxpayers’ money remains functional and is properly maintained.
“When we buy the machines, we must make sure they work. We must maintain them. It is not enough to procure equipment and leave them to deteriorate.”
The Asantehene further urged the Minister and stakeholders in the health sector to work together to ensure that no Ghanaian loses their life needlessly from preventable or treatable conditions.
