Government has announced an ambitious plan to raise Ghana’s universal health coverage (UHC) to 80 percent by 2030 through the rollout of a Free Primary Healthcare policy, a major reform aimed at expanding access and prioritising preventive care.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series, Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said the policy is designed to remove financial barriers at the point of care while strengthening early detection and community-based health services.

“Our universal health coverage index now stands at about 56 percent, and we need to hit a target of 80 percent by 2030,” he stated. “This policy is about ensuring that every Ghanaian can access care early, easily and without worrying about cost.”

The Minister explained that the initiative will provide free access to a defined package of essential services at the primary healthcare level, including CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics nationwide.

According to him, the policy responds to persistent gaps in the health system, particularly low enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and high out-of-pocket spending.

“Only about two-thirds of the population is actively enrolled in NHIS, which means a significant number of Ghanaians still face financial barriers when they seek care,” he noted. “In practical terms, many families are still paying out-of-pocket and risk catastrophic expenditure.”

Hon. Akandoh emphasised that the reform represents a shift from a treatment-focused system to one that prioritises prevention and early diagnosis, especially in the face of rising non-communicable diseases.

“We are facing a triple burden of disease. While we continue to manage infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancers and mental health conditions are rising steadily,” he said.

He warned that low awareness and late detection remain major challenges.

“Hypertension develops silently, diabetes progresses quietly, and many people do not know their status until complications occur. By the time they enter the health system, treatment becomes more expensive, more complex and less effective,” he explained.

Under the Free Primary Healthcare policy, routine screenings for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and certain cancers will be provided at no cost, alongside maternal and child health services, immunisation, health promotion and treatment of common illnesses.

“What is changing is that care will no longer depend on when you become seriously ill. Screening becomes routine, and the system shifts from reacting to illness to preventing it,” the Minister said.

He clarified that while primary healthcare services will be free, the NHIS will remain essential for accessing higher-level care.

“When you are referred to district, regional or teaching hospitals, it is your National Health Insurance that will save you. So NHIS remains very relevant and important,” he stressed.

The policy will be implemented in phases between 2026 and 2028, beginning with 150 underserved districts across all regions.

“We are going to start with underserved districts, learn from the implementation and smoothen the edges before scaling up nationwide,” Hon. Akandoh indicated.

As part of preparations, government has procured more than 24,000 pieces of essential medical equipment to strengthen service delivery at the primary level.

“We cannot announce policies without preparing. These investments are to ensure that our facilities are equipped to deliver timely and quality care,” he said.

The Minister added that the policy will extend beyond health facilities into communities through structured outreach programmes, including home visits, school health services and public education campaigns.

“Health workers will not only wait at facilities; they will be in homes, schools, churches and workplaces—screening, educating and supporting people to stay healthy,” he noted.

On financing, Hon. Akandoh disclosed that the programme will be funded through the National Health Insurance Scheme, following the uncapping of the NHIS fund and allocations captured in the 2026 budget.

“We are not reinventing the wheel. Financing has been aligned with NHIS, and budgetary provisions have been secured,” he assured.

He concluded that the policy is central to improving health outcomes and building a resilient health system.

“This is about reducing avoidable illness and preventable deaths. Free primary healthcare is a reset towards prevention, equity and a stronger Ghana,” he said.

The Ministry of Health has announced a major nationwide retooling exercise involving the distribution of over 24,000 pieces of essential medical equipment to health facilities across the country, as part of preparations for the implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare policy.

Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, disclosed this during the Government Accountability Series ahead of the official launch of the policy scheduled for 15th April, 2026.

According to him, the intervention is designed to strengthen health infrastructure, improve service delivery, and ensure that facilities and health workers are fully equipped to meet increasing demand for primary healthcare services.

“In preparation for implementation, we have procured and are ready to deploy 24,534 pieces of essential medical equipment across the country. This is intended to ensure our facilities and health workers are equipped and ready for implementation,” the Minister said.

He stressed that government is committed not only to announcing policies but also to ensuring practical readiness before rollout.

“So we can’t just be announcing policies without preparing. So we need to retool our health facilities to properly equip them to face what is ahead of us,” he added.

The equipment includes critical medical tools such as incubators to support neonatal care, glucometers for routine screening and management of diabetes, hospital beds to improve patient care capacity, and ultrasound machines to enhance diagnostic services, particularly in maternal health.

Hon. Akandoh further revealed that the rollout will be implemented in phases, with 150 districts earmarked for the first stage of distribution over the next two months.

He noted that government will also intensify public sensitisation through town hall meetings and community engagement programmes, while trained volunteers will be deployed to support the existing community health workforce.

As part of the broader implementation strategy, over 350 container-based service delivery points will be established in high-traffic areas such as markets and lorry parks to bring healthcare services closer to the people.

“Very soon, health workers and volunteers will not only be waiting at facilities, they will be in your homes, schools, churches and workplaces screening, educating and supporting you to stay healthy rather than treating you,” he said.

The Free Primary Healthcare policy is expected to significantly expand access to preventive and essential health services as government pushes toward achieving universal health coverage by 2030.

The government has taken delivery of 100 new buses as part of efforts to address growing pressure on Ghana’s public transport system following recent commuter disruptions across the country.

Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced the development in a Facebook post on Sunday, April 5, 2026. He indicated that the buses form part of a broader nationwide initiative to expand transport capacity and improve mobility.

According to the Minister, the newly arrived 29-seater buses are the first tranche of a 300-vehicle procurement programme. “In the meantime, 100 29-seater buses have arrived in the country to ease recent road transport challenges. They form part of 300 procured for the purpose. Another batch of 100 will arrive in August, with the final batch expected in November,” he stated.

The intervention follows recent shortages of commercial vehicles in several parts of the country, which left commuters stranded at bus stops and transport terminals, particularly during peak hours.

Government officials have acknowledged the disruptions and assured the public of ongoing measures to stabilise the sector. Vice-President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has previously indicated that steps are being taken to improve transport services and ease the burden on daily commuters.

The phased delivery of the buses is expected to gradually improve conditions, especially in urban centres where overcrowding, long waiting times and limited vehicle availability have become persistent challenges.

Authorities say the initiative will provide much-needed relief for workers, students and other commuters who rely heavily on public transport, as efforts continue to restore efficiency and stability within the sector.