John Dramani Mahama is set to officially launch the government’s flagship Free Primary Healthcare Programme today, marking a significant step toward achieving universal health coverage in Ghana.
The initiative, a central pillar of the President’s social contract with citizens, will begin with an initial rollout in 150 underserved districts over the next two months. It aims to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services, regardless of location.
Estimated to cost GH¢1.2 billion annually, the programme will deploy 350 health kiosks nationwide. These facilities will be strategically located in high-traffic areas such as markets and lorry parks and equipped with essential amenities, including water supply, solar power, sanitation facilities, pharmacies, consulting rooms, waiting areas, and observation spaces.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the programme represents a fundamental shift in healthcare delivery.
He explained that the initiative moves beyond affordability to focus on prevention and early detection of diseases, describing it as an effort to reset the health system from a treatment-heavy model to one centred on proactive care.
To strengthen implementation, the Ministry of Health has begun distributing more than 24,000 pieces of medical equipment across the country to enhance the capacity of community-based health planning and services (CHPS) compounds and health centres.
The programme will cover routine screenings for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers, alongside antenatal and postnatal care, immunisations, and treatment for common illnesses like malaria and respiratory infections.
It also incorporates public education on family planning, menstrual hygiene, and safe water practices, supported by a structured referral system to ensure patients requiring advanced care are efficiently referred to higher-level facilities.
According to Mr. Akandoh, the programme is designed to build a comprehensive healthcare system that prioritises early diagnosis, reduces preventable deaths, and improves overall public health outcomes.
