Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced that the government plans to recruit 16,000 health professionals before the end of 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system and address staffing shortages nationwide.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual Health Summit in Accra on Tuesday, June 9, Mr Akandoh disclosed that recruitment processes for about 8,000 of the targeted health workers have already been completed, with the remaining positions expected to be filled in subsequent phases.
Major Expansion of Health Workforce
The minister explained that the planned recruitment forms part of a broader strategy to expand the country’s health workforce and improve healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities.
According to him, more than 14,000 health workers were added to the government payroll in 2025 alone, reflecting the administration’s commitment to strengthening human resources within the health sector.
“In 2025, over 14,000 health workers were employed and placed on the government payroll. This year, we intend to recruit an additional 16,000 health workers, and recruitment has already been completed for approximately 8,000 of them. We are also enhancing deployment to underserved areas,” he stated.
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The recruitment drive represents one of the largest workforce expansion initiatives undertaken in Ghana’s health sector in recent years, at a time when inadequate staffing continues to affect healthcare delivery in several parts of the country.
Increased Deployment to Underserved Areas
Mr Akandoh also highlighted significant progress in the deployment of medical doctors to regions that have traditionally struggled to attract healthcare professionals.
He revealed that while only 12 doctors accepted postings to underserved regions in 2024, the number has increased substantially in 2026, with 100 doctors already assigned to the same areas.
“In 2024, only 12 doctors accepted postings to underserved regions across eight regions. In 2026, we have successfully deployed 100 doctors to those same regions, and the process is still ongoing,” the minister noted.
The improvement marks a major step toward addressing regional disparities in healthcare access and ensuring that residents in remote communities receive quality medical services.
Commitment to Strengthening Healthcare Delivery
The Minister’s remarks at the Annual Health Summit underscore the government’s determination to tackle longstanding challenges within the health sector, including workforce shortages, uneven staff distribution, and difficulties retaining health professionals in rural areas.
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With half of the planned 16,000 recruitments already completed and a significant increase in doctor placements to underserved regions, the government believes it is making meaningful progress toward improving healthcare delivery across the country.
However, attention will now turn to the successful completion of the remaining recruitment process and the sustainability of efforts to attract and retain healthcare workers in areas where they are needed most.
If fully implemented, the initiative is expected to enhance healthcare accessibility, improve service delivery, and strengthen Ghana’s health system for the benefit of citizens nationwide.