Story by George Yawson VINEH
Government has announced an expansion of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme to 135 districts across the country as part of efforts to improve access to essential healthcare services.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh made this known at a media engagement on Monday, September 7, 2026, providing an update on the implementation of the programme.
The Free Primary Healthcare Programme, a flagship initiative of the government, is aimed at removing financial barriers to basic healthcare and bringing essential services closer to communities.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says the programme has now been rolled out in 135 out of Ghana’s 216 districts, with all 16 regions represented.
He says government has prioritised deprived districts in the first phase to ensure that communities with the greatest healthcare needs benefit from the initiative.
The minister says 4,574 health facilities are currently participating in the programme.
These include CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics, with facilities operated by the Christian Health Association of Ghana and Ahmadiyya also participating.
The programme focuses on primary healthcare services, including preventive care, screening, immunisation, maternal and child healthcare, and treatment of common illnesses.
Government says the ultimate objective is to extend free primary healthcare to every part of the country.
The initiative is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery at the community level, promote early detection of diseases and reduce the financial burden on families seeking basic medical care.
The Health Minister says government remains committed to ensuring that no community is left behind as the programme is expanded nationwide.
The expansion of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme forms part of government’s broader agenda to achieve universal health coverage and make essential healthcare more accessible to Ghanaians.
