Health Minister Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says the government is making its most ambitious push yet to expand and stabilize the country’s healthcare system, outlining a GH¢34 billion sector allocation in the 2026 national budget.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Friday, Akandoh called the package “the most people-focused and health-centred budget” in recent years. He said GH¢11 billion of the allocation will support the National Health Insurance Scheme, which he described as now stabilised, with coverage rising to 20 million people. Beginning next year, NHIS tariffs will increase by 120 percent to reflect the true cost of services, he said.
The minister announced that the new Free Primary Healthcare package — budgeted at GH¢1.5 billion — will be rolled out nationwide in 2026. He also said the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, widely referred to as MahamaCare, is now fully operational with GH¢2.3 billion earmarked to directly support patient care and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Akandoh confirmed that construction of three long-awaited regional hospitals will start next year in the Savannah, Oti and Western North regions. The projects carry a combined budget of GH¢600 million. He emphasized that government will not abandon any uncompleted health projects, saying continuity is essential for public confidence in the sector.
With personnel needs still pressing, the minister said GH¢16.7 billion has been set aside to cover salaries of recently recruited nurses, deploy 700 medical doctors and clear trainee allowances on schedule.
Addressing concerns about the cost of operating the Zipline drone delivery system, Akandoh said the service was originally expected to run without drawing on Government of Ghana funds. Instead, he said, the state has been paying more than US$500,000 monthly. A recent review, he added, showed that only 12 percent of Zipline flights serve hard-to-reach communities, with many missions used for transporting non-essential items.
Akandoh said government has held several meetings with Zipline and continues to engage the company to ensure value for money. Any future arrangement, he said, must meet President Mahama’s directive for efficient and justified public spending.