The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has acknowledged an improvement in the number of doctors who have so far accepted postings to deprived regions of the country.
During a working visit to some of the regions, the minister said unlike in the Oti Region where only one doctor reported in 2024, 10 had reported to work at the moment.
In the Upper East Region, where he said only three reported in 2024, a total of 14 doctors had so far reported; seven reported in the Upper West Region in 2025 as against two in 2024 while Western North Region had 15 doctors reporting last year as opposed to four in 2024.
During the same period in the Savannah Region, where none of the doctors posted there reported, a total of nine have showed up so far, same as the North East Region which has seen three new doctors reporting, with the Bono East Region recording an additional 17 in 2025 to move the current roll to 18 in two years.
In the Ahafo Region, a total of 12 new doctors have reported; the Bono Region list also appreciated from six doctors in 2024 to 26 while the Northern Region list shot from from seven to 20.
During a visit to the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council and the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga, the Minister of Health disclosed a significant shift in staffing levels.
The refreshing news emerged during the minister’s tour of the Upper East, North East and Northern regions yesterday to engage stakeholders, monitor compliance with postings and assess urgent health facility needs.
Data, he said, showed a significant improvement in rural postings, with the minister noting that although many doctors were previously hesitant to accept rural roles, recent ministerial directives had encouraged them to report for duty.
This increase, he said, was a critical step towards ensuring that healthcare facilities in the region were no longer understaffed and could better meet patient needs.
He described the development as a necessary step towards addressing staffing gaps in deprived areas.
The data reflects a substantial rise in the number of doctors taking up postings in previously underserved areas, signalling early success of the ministry’s intervention.
The minister in his various engagements emphasised that sustaining improved reporting required local action, and therefore called on regional ministers, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), members of parliament, regional coordinating councils and traditional authorities to support posted doctors with accommodation, basic amenities and safe working conditions.
He also encouraged regions and districts to consider sponsoring students to study medicine as a long-term strategy to build local capacity.
The minister’s tour included engagements with stakeholders across the Upper East, North East and Northern regions to discuss doctor postings, infrastructure needs, and practical solutions to improve healthcare in underserved communities.
Incentive proposal
The minister indicated that discussions would be held with the Agriculture Minister on possible incentives for doctors who accept rural postings.
The proposal includes providing agricultural inputs and facilitating access to land through chiefs and local authorities.
He explained that farming could serve as a productive side hustle for doctors stationed in rural areas, helping them supplement their income while contributing to local food production and economic activity.
He said such incentives could support retention and strengthen rural economies.
Commitment to equitable healthcare
The minister reiterated that postings of medical officers would not be reversed, stressing that equitable distribution of health professionals remained essential to achieving fairness in healthcare access.
The ongoing tour forms part of government efforts to improve healthcare in hard-to-reach and underserved areas, with a focus on practical solutions and shared responsibility among national and local stakeholders.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh