As part of Ghana’s preparation toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has directed the Pharmacy Council to change how pharmacy licenses are awarded, from distance-based to population-based criteria.
Speaking at a two-day Expanded Stakeholders Retreat, the Minister said the old system, which focused on how close pharmacies are to each other, no longer serves the country’s health needs. Instead, licensing should reflect population size to ensure fair access to medicines, especially in underserved communities.
The new approach is expected to improve the distribution of pharmacies nationwide and strengthen Ghana’s push toward accessible healthcare for all.
In another development, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has met stakeholders to discuss the Agenda 111 audit report and proposed reforms in hospital equipment management.
The Ghana Audit Service has issued a surcharge against 35 contractors, directing them to refund a total of 7.9 million US dollars, equivalent to about 94.6 million Ghana cedis, to the state.
The funds were paid as mobilization fees for Agenda 111 hospital projects at 19 sites, but the contractors failed to execute the works as agreed.
The meeting is focusing on findings from an audit conducted by Audit and Evaluation Services Limited, which reviewed the implementation of the Agenda 111 hospital project—government’s flagship initiative aimed at expanding healthcare infrastructure across the country.
Discussions are also underway on the introduction of a Special Purpose Vehicle management system to improve the procurement, maintenance and accountability of hospital equipment.
The engagement is expected to shape corrective actions, strengthen oversight, and ensure value for money in the delivery of critical health infrastructure.
