The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has issued a caution to medical doctors against rejecting postings to underserved and rural districts, stating that those who refuse such assignments risk losing their placement slots entirely.
The Minister expressed worry over the persistent reluctance of some newly qualified doctors to accept postings in deprived areas, a situation he said continues to worsen the uneven distribution of healthcare professionals across the country.
According to Mr Akandoh, nearly half of Ghana’s doctors are concentrated in the Greater Accra Region, with the figure rising to about 70 per cent when the Ashanti Region is included. This leaves many districts, particularly in underserved regions, critically short of medical personnel.
He noted that in 2024, only 12 doctors accepted postings to eight underserved regions, though recent efforts have seen an improvement, with approximately 100 doctors now taking up similar assignments.
“Since they have legitimate concerns, they cannot deny people care by refusing to go to the districts,” the Minister said.
Mr Akandoh emphasised that the government’s priority is to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services nationwide. He announced that stricter measures would be implemented to enforce compliance with postings.
“We are going to state that those who have not accepted the postings will be deprived of that opportunity, and we will open it up. Even if you completed yesterday and you are a fully qualified medical doctor willing to go, we will give you that opportunity,” he warned during an interview on Citi FM on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.