NDC health promises: What Mahama has delivered and what remains
From Free Primary Healthcare to MahamaCare, the government is taking stock of its health promises – but several key commitments are still awaiting delivery.
Ghana’s Ministry of Health has begun a three-day review of the government’s progress in delivering its health sector promises, including free primary healthcare, MahamaCare and the expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The review, which began in Ho on Saturday, is assessing what has been achieved since the government took office, the challenges slowing implementation and what needs to be done to deliver outstanding commitments.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh is leading the meeting, which brings together chief executives, board chairpersons and directors of agencies and programmes under the ministry.
Which health promises are being reviewed?
The review is focusing on several commitments contained in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC)'s 2024 manifesto.
These include:
• The Free Primary Healthcare programme
• Expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
• The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, known as MahamaCare
• Retooling and upgrading health facilities
• The introduction of specialised nursing programmes
• Recruitment of additional health professionals
• Formalisation of allowances for nursing trainees
• Completion of abandoned health projects
The ministry will also assess progress on plans to construct additional regional hospitals in the six newly created regions, as well as establish cataract treatment centres in selected parts of the country.
Heads of the various agencies and programmes are expected to present updates on their work, including achievements, outstanding challenges and measures required to speed up delivery.
Focus on health spending
Financial management is also a major part of the meeting.
Participants are undergoing training in public financial management aimed at improving accountability, financial discipline and the use of public funds across the health sector.
Opening the review, Mr Akandoh urged heads of agencies and board chairpersons to comply strictly with Ghana's Public Financial Management Act.
He said prudent management of public resources was essential if government funding for healthcare was to translate into better services for Ghanaians.
The minister also highlighted progress made in the sector and praised health agencies for their contribution.
What happens next?
The ministry says the review is intended to identify gaps in implementation and agree on practical measures to address them during the remainder of the year.
It says the exercise is part of efforts to improve coordination across the health sector and monitor delivery of the government's wider healthcare agenda.
The ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by making healthcare more accessible, affordable and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The three-day review is expected to end with an assessment of outstanding commitments and a plan to accelerate their implementation in the second half of 2026.