President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched Ghana’s Free Primary Health Care policy, a major initiative aimed at expanding access to basic healthcare services and accelerating the country’s drive toward universal health coverage.

Speaking at the launch at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital, President Mahama said the policy is designed to close gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

“Every country is working to achieve universal health coverage… where every citizen has access to quality, affordable care,” he said. “But we still have pockets of underserved areas, especially in the rural areas.”

The President emphasised that the new policy will complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), rather than replace it. “The free primary health care is complementary to the national health insurance. It doesn’t replace it,” he stated.

Under the initiative, primary healthcare services including screening, diagnosis, and treatment of basic illnesses will be provided free of charge at CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics. Citizens will not be required to present an NHIS card at this level but can access services with basic identification.

A central feature of the policy is preventive care, with a strong focus on early detection of diseases. President Mahama announced that all Ghanaians will be encouraged to undergo routine health checks. “At least every Ghanaian must be screened once a year,” he said, adding that screenings will cover conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.

He warned that lifestyle-related illnesses are becoming the leading cause of disease in Ghana. “Non-communicable diseases have become the heaviest disease burden in Ghana… because of the change in our lifestyle,” he noted, calling for improved diets and increased physical activity.

For patients requiring more advanced treatment, referrals will be made to district hospitals under NHIS coverage. In cases involving specialised care, such as dialysis, the government will provide support through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares. “You’ll be referred to a kidney dialysis centre and you can go and do your kidney dialysis free of charge,” the President said.

To support the rollout, the government will deploy health volunteers, including national service personnel and trained health professionals awaiting posting, to deliver community-based screening and education. Mobile clinics and newly introduced health kiosks will also be used to reach remote communities.

The programme will begin in 150 selected districts this year, with a nationwide rollout expected by 2028.

President Mahama described the initiative as a transformative step in Ghana’s healthcare system, aimed at bringing services closer to the people and reducing the burden of preventable diseases.

President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that Ghana’s Free Primary Health Care initiative is designed to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), not replace it, stressing that the two systems will work together to improve access to healthcare.

Speaking at the launch at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital, President Mahama explained that under the new policy, basic healthcare services at the community level will be provided free of charge, particularly at CHPS compounds, health kiosks, and health centres.

“At that level, it is free of charge. You go for screening and everything is free,” he said, adding that common conditions such as malaria, cholera, and basic respiratory infections will be treated at the primary level with essential medicines available at community facilities.

According to him, CHPS compounds and similar facilities will be equipped to manage routine illnesses, including providing malaria treatment, basic care for diarrhoeal diseases like cholera, and simple medications such as cough mixtures for respiratory infections.

However, he noted that cases requiring further medical attention such as persistently high blood sugar readings will be referred to district-level facilities for advanced care.

At that point, patients will be required to use their NHIS cards to access treatment and prescribed medicines.

“The free primary health care is complementary to the National Health Insurance. It is not replacing it; it is coming to strengthen it,” he emphasized.

President Mahama further urged Ghanaians not to abandon their NHIS membership, explaining that it remains essential for accessing higher-level healthcare services.

Under the policy, patients seeking care at CHPS compounds, health centres, and other primary facilities will only need identification such as the Ghana Card to confirm residency and eligibility, without requiring an NHIS card at that initial stage.

A Professor of Finance at Andrews University, Williams Kwasi Peprah, has cautioned the government against fully implementing the GH¢1.65 reduction in petroleum prices being advocated by a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), describing the proposal as excessive and potentially harmful to the national budget.

Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Professor Peprah acknowledged the need for consumer relief but warned that the proposed 40 percent cut in the total tax component—championed by groups including IMANI Africa, COPEC, INSTEPR and Institute for Energy Security—could significantly undermine government revenue and disrupt key development projects.

Instead, he proposed a more measured approach, recommending a 20 percent reduction as a “fair compromise” that balances fiscal sustainability with public relief.

According to him, a 40 percent reduction would result in an estimated monthly revenue loss of about GH¢600 million, while a 20 percent cut would reduce the impact to roughly GH¢300 million.

To offset this projected shortfall, Professor Peprah advised the government to adopt a “fiscal switch” strategy, which would involve deferring selected expenditures.

“Government must absorb certain line items within its expenditure framework. Goods and services, as well as some capital projects, could be postponed to 2027 to prevent disruption to budget targets,” he explained.

He also criticised the government’s proposal for a short-term, four-week intervention, arguing that it would be insufficient given ongoing global uncertainties.

Citing the lingering effects of geopolitical conflicts and forecasts from the World Bank, he stressed the need for a longer intervention period of at least six months to allow businesses and households to plan effectively.

“A four-week window is too short for meaningful planning. Even minor global conflicts tend to have economic effects lasting beyond six months. A longer-term strategy is necessary for investors, companies and individuals,” he said.

With Ghana still operating under an economic programme with the International Monetary Fund set to end in August, Professor Peprah warned that any policy misstep could jeopardise the country’s ability to meet key fiscal targets.

He recommended that any tax adjustments be formalised through a mid-year budget review, enabling government to transparently outline expenditure cuts that would compensate for lost revenue.

The finance expert also cautioned against permanently scrapping taxes at this stage, noting that future fiscal pressures—particularly potential wage demands from labour unions driven by inflation—would require sustained revenue streams.

Commenting on President John Mahama’s indication that Ghana could source fuel from Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, Professor Peprah described the move as positive for supply security.

He noted that while global crude oil prices would still apply, Ghana could benefit from reduced freight costs due to proximity. He added that further gains could be realised if transactions fall under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, which offers potential tax advantages.

Professor Peprah concluded that while inaction would be the worst possible outcome, any intervention must be carefully targeted and supported by a transparent realignment of the 2026 budget.