Ghana’s Health Sector Reforms and Investments in 2026
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister of Ghana, recently outlined significant plans for the health sector during the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament in Accra. The government has committed to increasing investment in the health sector to strengthen access to quality healthcare and enhance equity, aligning with the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) roadmap.
Expansion of Healthcare Delivery and Reforms
The Ministry of Health has made notable progress in expanding healthcare delivery, and Dr. Forson emphasized that reforms under the MahamaCares initiative will be intensified next year. One key development is the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which ensures stable financing for critical health programs, including vaccines, essential medical commodities, HIV services, and the Free Primary Health Care initiative.
A comprehensive climate vulnerability assessment was conducted to guide national responses to climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria and cholera. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) has also been elevated to a national strategy, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving public health outcomes.
Promoting Inclusion in Healthcare
To promote inclusion in healthcare, the finance minister announced the launch of a National Health Sector Gender Policy. This policy aims to ensure gender equity in both workforce participation and access to health services. The Health Ministry has also strengthened partnerships with international organizations such as GAVI, Pfizer, and the UK Trade Envoy to expand health financing, innovation, and research.
Establishing New Health Facilities and Training Programs
Dr. Forson highlighted several new developments in the health sector. A National Cleft Centre was established at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), while work is ongoing to develop forensic laboratories for DNA and toxicology analysis. Additionally, the National Ambulance Service trained 500 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and 6,000 youth as first-aid responders to boost emergency healthcare.
The Centre for Plant Medicine Research validated the long-term efficacy of four herbal medicines, showcasing Ghana’s growing leadership in traditional medicine research.
Public Health Achievements and Infrastructure Development
Dr. Forson noted achievements in public health, including the successful containment of Mpox, meningitis, and cholera outbreaks through active surveillance and response systems. On health infrastructure, the reconstruction of the La General Hospital is 33 percent complete, with construction works progressing at Juaboso, Sandema, and five Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds.
The Kpone Municipal Hospital and the KOFIH Centre were commissioned in 2025, according to the minister. He also mentioned that all outstanding nursing allowances had been paid, while 13,500 nurses had been placed on government payroll. To ease financial burdens on students, admission fees for trainee nurses were reduced by half.
Strengthening the Health Workforce
Health training colleges have expanded their programs, adding 930 new residents, 2,104 specialist nurses, and several newly accredited teaching centers to build a stronger health workforce. Regulatory agencies such as the Pharmacy Council and Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) advanced digital integration and expanded SafeCare accreditation to 34 health facilities.
The Ministry of Health also identified 232 unlicensed mortuaries, issued provisional licenses, and trained 800 attendants in safe mortuary practices.
Future Plans and Reforms
Dr. Forson announced the scaling up of the Free Primary Health Care programme in 2026 to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing and modernize digital claims and fraud detection systems. These efforts aim to improve efficiency and accountability across the health sector.
“These reforms are designed to reset, modernise, and expand Ghana’s health system as part of the government’s broader agenda for growth, jobs, and economic transformation.”