The Minister for Health, Hon Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that Ghana’s flagship Free Primary Healthcare policy will be rolled out in phases, starting with 150 districts across the country.
The policy, which is set to be officially launched on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, forms part of the government’s broader efforts to expand access to essential healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 13, 2026, the minister explained that the phased implementation, scheduled between 2026 and 2028, is aimed at ensuring efficiency and maintaining high standards in service delivery.
“This policy has not been rushed. It has been carefully designed over the past year and further improved based on input from a cross-section of stakeholders,” he said.
According to the Minister, extensive consultations were carried out with key groups, including the Ghana Medical Association, members of Parliament, development partners, and the media, to refine the policy framework.
“We’ve consulted widely, everybody has been taken on board,” he stressed, adding that the initiative is a national effort designed to benefit all Ghanaians.
The minister noted that the initial phase will prioritise underserved districts across all regions, ensuring that areas with the greatest healthcare challenges receive immediate attention.
“We’ll begin with 150 selected districts, particularly those that are underserved, and then expand nationwide by 2028,” he stated.
He further explained that the gradual rollout will allow the government to assess progress, address challenges, and improve implementation along the way.
“From experience, we have to roll it out in phases so that we’ll learn from the shortcomings and smooth the edges,” he added.
The government ultimately aims to achieve nationwide coverage by 2028, ensuring that all Ghanaians can access primary healthcare services without financial barriers.
