He explained that the absence of basic amenities remained a major deterrent, particularly for doctors, many of whom are reluctant to accept postings in underserved areas.

He was reacting to the report from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) that several newly posted medical doctors have declined postings to underserved areas, especially in the Upper West Region.

He noted that the country must take bold, intentional steps to address these gaps.

"Remember also that social amenities — that roads are relatively poorer, you may not get cable or satellite television sometimes, and accommodation may be a challenge.

Most doctors are also middle-class, so they want the best for their kids; they want the best schools.

You may not have such opportunities in the rural areas," he said in an interview.

"We need to take the bull by the horns and decide that as a nation, this is what we want, we want to put our money where the need is," he added.

 

Data

From statistics on the deployment of doctors in 2025, though 35 have been posted to the Upper East Region, none had yet reported, just as the 32 assigned to the Upper West Region.

None of the 19 posted to the North East Region has also reported.

Of the 31 posted to the Western North, only two have reported, while only one out of the 21 has reported in the Oti Region.

Meanwhile, 16 out of the 20 posted in the Greater Accra Region have reported, with nine out of the 27 assigned also reporting in the Bono East Region.

Concern

The situation has drawn concerns from the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who has expressed concern about the refusal of newly posted doctors to report to their duty stations.

He has given them an additional week to comply.

Mr Akandoh said initial reporting figures were “not encouraging”, revealing that seven out of every 10 newly assigned doctors had failed to report.

The situation is most difficult in the Upper West and Upper East regions, which recorded no arrivals as of Friday, November 28.

Addressing journalists in Accra last Tuesday, December 2, the Minister warned that the development could jeopardise healthcare delivery for nearly one million residents.

“We will give them an additional week to appeal to them to report to their various facilities where they have been posted.

After that, we will do what we call validation,” he said.

He stressed that the postings would not be changed under any circumstances.

Mr Akandoh said the ministry was working with local authorities to make the districts more accommodating for the doctors.

“We are engaging stakeholders in their respective districts—regional ministers, Members of Parliament, DCEs, chiefs—to facilitate their stay so they can give their best,” he said.

He added that the government was also considering incentives to encourage compliance.