The Deputy Minister for Health, Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has undertaken a two-day working visit to the Bono East Region and Ahafo Region to assess healthcare delivery and prepare the ground for the rollout of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Policy.
The tour forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the health system, particularly in underserved areas, with a focus on the posting and retention of newly deployed medical doctors and the condition of key health facilities.
In the Bono East Region, the Deputy Minister engaged stakeholders at a durbar attended by health officials, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, and representatives of the Regional Coordinating Council. Discussions centred on improving service delivery and addressing operational challenges within the sector.
A major highlight of the visit was a closed-door meeting with newly posted doctors, who raised concerns about accommodation, erratic water and electricity supply, and transportation difficulties. In response, Prof. Ayensu-Danquah appealed to local authorities to prioritise the welfare of health workers, stressing that improved living and working conditions are essential to retaining personnel and sustaining quality care. Data from the region show that 19 out of 23 posted doctors have reported for duty.
She also inspected facilities, including the Fiaso CHPS Compound, Oforikrom Health Centre, and the Abrafi Women and Children’s Hospital, where health managers outlined critical equipment shortages and appealed for government support. The Deputy Minister assured them that their concerns would be addressed, reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure.
In the Ahafo Region, she toured the Fawohoyeden CHPS Compound in Asunafo North, Goaso Municipal Hospital, Nkaseim Health Centre, and the Asutifi North District Hospital. While interacting with staff, she encouraged them to maintain high standards of care despite challenges.
However, she expressed concern over the low reporting rate of newly posted doctors in the region, revealing that only eight out of 21 have taken up their posts. She called for urgent intervention from stakeholders to improve retention and address the underlying challenges.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah also highlighted ongoing efforts to retool CHPS compounds and health centres to support the effective implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare Policy. She further referenced the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which is expected to enhance the treatment of non-communicable diseases.
On maternal health, she noted that nearly 1,000 women die annually from pregnancy-related complications, disclosing that the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has tasked her to help reduce maternal mortality by 20 per cent before the end of the year.
The Deputy Minister and her team were received by the Ahafo Regional Health Directorate, which described the visit as timely and crucial to addressing persistent challenges in the region’s healthcare system.
