Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has issued a firm warning to medical doctors: reject a posting to an underserved district, and risk forfeiting your placement entirely.
The Minister expressed frustration over what he described as a persistent reluctance among some doctors to accept assignments in deprived areas, a trend he says continues to widen the country’s healthcare access gap.
Speaking on Citi FM on Wednesday, April 22, Mr. Akandoh revealed that nearly half of all doctors in Ghana are concentrated in the Greater Accra Region alone.
When the Ashanti Region is included, that figure rises to about 70 per cent, leaving many districts critically understaffed.
He noted that in 2024, only 12 doctors accepted postings to eight underserved regions. However, recent measures have improved the situation, with approximately 100 doctors now taking up similar assignments.
“Since they have legitimate concerns, they cannot deny people care by refusing to go to the districts,” the Minister said.
He stressed that the government’s priority is ensuring equitable access to healthcare nationwide, warning that stricter enforcement measures will be introduced.
“We are going to state that those who have not accepted the postings will be deprived of that opportunity, and we will open it up,” he said.
“Even if you completed yesterday and you are a fully qualified medical doctor willing to go, we will give you that opportunity.”
