President John Dramani Mahama has inspected two newly constructed Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region as part of efforts to improve access to essential healthcare and strengthen development at the community level. Editorial Standards
The inspections formed part of the President’s two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region, which began on Friday, October 9, 2026, under his “Resetting Ghana” tour.
The visit focused on development projects, infrastructure delivery and government initiatives intended to improve living conditions across the region.
According to a source on the President’s regional tour, the visit was intended to allow Mr. Mahama to inspect ongoing projects and engage residents on government policies and local economic development. The tour also included visits to agribusiness and road infrastructure projects.
Reports on the healthcare facilities identify the two compounds as being located at Ahyiaem and Nsuapem.
The projects were undertaken as part of efforts to expand access to basic health services in communities where residents may face difficulties travelling to larger health facilities.
During his visit to Ahyiaem, President Mahama explained that the government had introduced measures to improve the flow of funding to district assemblies, enabling them to undertake projects based on the development priorities of their communities.
He said the decision to channel 80 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund directly to assemblies was intended to strengthen local development and support projects such as health facilities, classroom blocks and other essential infrastructure.
The Ahyiaem CHPS compound was constructed by the Tano North District Assembly. However, information released by the Information Services Department indicated that the facility was awaiting registration by the Ministry of Health before equipment could be supplied and operations could begin.
This distinction is important because the construction of a health facility does not automatically mean that it is ready to receive patients.
Registration, equipment installation, staffing and the provision of essential medicines are necessary steps towards making the facility operational.
President Mahama indicated that healthcare services at the compounds would be provided free of charge under the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative.
The programme is intended to reduce financial barriers to basic medical services and encourage residents to seek treatment and preventive care before illnesses become more serious.
Under the initiative, residents can access eligible primary healthcare services at participating CHPS compounds without needing to present National Health Insurance Scheme membership cards.
The policy is intended to extend basic care to people who are not enrolled in the NHIS and those who might otherwise delay treatment because of cost concerns. Editorial Ethics & Independence
CHPS compounds are a key part of Ghana’s primary healthcare system. They are designed to bring basic medical services closer to households, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Depending on the facility’s staffing and resources, services may include maternal and child healthcare, immunisation, family planning, health education, routine screening and the treatment of common illnesses.
Community health workers can also help identify health concerns early and refer patients requiring more advanced care to appropriate facilities.
For residents of Ahyiaem, Nsuapem and surrounding communities, functioning CHPS compounds could reduce the time and transport costs associated with accessing routine medical attention.
Pregnant women, older people, children and residents managing long-term health conditions may particularly benefit from having basic healthcare services available closer to their homes.
The government has also highlighted the role of outreach services in strengthening the initiative.
President Mahama has explained that motorcycles and tricycles provided under the programme are intended to help health workers travel between communities, conduct screenings and deliver preventive healthcare services. He has clarified that the tricycles are not ambulances.
Such outreach activities could be especially useful in communities where distance, poor road conditions or transportation costs make it difficult for residents to attend health facilities regularly.
The construction of the two compounds also reflects the government’s wider emphasis on using district-level funding to improve essential public infrastructure.
By giving assemblies greater responsibility for local projects, the policy seeks to enable communities to address their specific development needs.
Nationally, the government has reported progress on CHPS compounds and other projects funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga said on October 5, 2026, that 397 of 566 targeted CHPS compounds and health centres had been completed.
These figures indicate the scale of the government’s infrastructure programme, although the benefits of the investment will ultimately depend on whether completed facilities become operational and deliver reliable services.
For the new compounds in Tano North, key priorities include completing the required registration processes, supplying medical equipment, ensuring adequate staffing and maintaining consistent stocks of essential medicines. Corrections Policy
District authorities and health administrators will also need to ensure that the facilities have reliable water, electricity and sanitation, while establishing clear referral arrangements for patients requiring hospital treatment.
The President’s visit provides an opportunity to assess progress, but continued monitoring will be necessary to ensure that the facilities fulfil their intended purpose.
Ultimately, the success of the projects will not be measured only by the number of buildings constructed.
It will depend on whether residents can access qualified health professionals, receive timely treatment and benefit from preventive services without facing unnecessary financial hardship.
If properly equipped and staffed, the two CHPS compounds could strengthen primary healthcare delivery in the Tano North Municipality and support the government’s wider ambition of bringing essential health services closer to communities across Ghana.