Health Minister Akandoh Announces 16,000 New Recruits for Free Primary Healthcare Program as District Directors Demand Better Pay

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced a significant expansion of Ghana's healthcare workforce, with the government recruiting 16,000 professionals to support the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) programme. This initiative, central to President John Mahama's goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage, focuses on bringing medical services closer to local communities and prioritizing the early detection of non-communicable diseases. To date, 8,000 health workers have already been posted to various facilities, including a notable number of personnel who have accepted placements in deprived regions like the Upper West. The Ministry has bolstered the program's logistical capacity by distributing 24,000 pieces of essential medical equipment to CHPS compounds, health centers, and polyclinics. Furthermore, 5,000 specialized healthcare bags have been issued to professionals, with plans to provide motorbikes and tricycles to improve mobility in rural areas. According to the Minister, the FPHC programme has already conducted health assessments for over 54,000 households, and 13,500 nurses have been successfully integrated into the national payroll as part of the broader effort to strengthen primary care infrastructure. Amid these advancements, the District Directors of Health Services Group (DDHS-G) has called on the government to urgently address long-standing grievances regarding their conditions of service. Speaking at their Annual General Conference in Bolgatanga, National Chairman Dr. Justice Thomas Sevugu highlighted that there have been no formal salary negotiations for the group since the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure in 2010. The directors expressed concern that while they are responsible for translating national health policies into local interventions, they lack a dedicated mechanism to discuss their welfare and career progression. Despite these challenges, the DDHS-G reaffirmed its commitment to the government's healthcare objectives. The group has taken internal steps to support its members, contributing more than GH¢680,000 to retirees and GH¢150,000 in disaster relief for colleagues over the past year. While Minister Akandoh noted that President Mahama is working to improve incentives for health workers in underserved areas, the formal resolution of the directors' service conditions remains a critical step for ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the nation's health delivery system.