The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has said that the Free Primary Healthcare programme is now operational in 135 districts across Ghana, marking a major shift in the country’s approach to primary healthcare delivery from hospitals to communities.
He said more than 8,000 health workers have been recruited and trained as part of efforts to take quality healthcare services directly to the doorsteps of citizens.
The programme, launched by President John Dramani Mahama on February 15, 2026, is one of the key priorities of the government’s healthcare agenda.
Since its launch, government says it has engaged the public and health sector workers to create awareness about the policy and prepare the various stakeholders for implementation.
Speaking to the media in Accra, on September 7, Mr Mintah Akandoh said the first phase of the initiative is targeting 150 underserved districts.
“The free primary health care goes live in 135 districts…”
According to the Minister, trained health workers have been deployed to provide services at the community level, with government also equipping major hospitals, polyclinics and other health facilities to support the programme.
Five thousand kits have already been procured for house-to-house visits, while an additional 12,000 pieces of equipment are expected to be delivered.
7,000 Motorbikes and tricycles are also expected to be provided to facilitate outreach services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
The Free Primary Healthcare programme is built around three key areas: curative services, disease prevention and health promotion.
Government has allocated GH¢35 million specifically for the promotion and prevention component of the programme.
Payment systems have also been established for service providers as part of measures to ensure that the policy is financially sustainable.
The Minister says the delivery of services is already taking place in communities, with government currently working through 4,574 health facilities nationwide.
“We are shifting from the hospital to the community…”
The policy seeks to move Ghana’s healthcare system away from a predominantly hospital-based approach towards one that places greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention.
Instead of waiting for patients to report to hospitals after falling ill, the programme is designed to bring primary healthcare closer to households through community outreach, screening, health education, disease prevention and early intervention.
The Health Minister says further recruitment is planned as the programme expands.
He also indicated that voluntary support will be encouraged to complement the work of permanent health staff at the community level.
As the programme expands, government is warning healthcare providers against charging beneficiaries illegally.
The Health Minister stressed that the Free Primary Healthcare programme must not be used as an opportunity by health workers to demand unofficial payments from patients.
The programme forms part of government’s broader efforts to improve access to basic healthcare and advance Universal Health Coverage in Ghana.
The first phase is deliberately focused on underserved communities, with the ultimate goal of extending the programme nationwide.
Government says it intends to roll out Free Primary Healthcare across every part of the country by the end of 2027.
For now, the focus remains on strengthening community-level services, bringing healthcare closer to citizens and making disease prevention a central pillar of the healthcare system.
By Evelyn Tengmaa
