Ghana to begin building three regional hospitals in 2026 to expand healthcare access
The Government of Ghana has announced that it will begin construction of three new regional hospitals in 2026, marking a major push to expand access to quality healthcare in underserved parts of the country. The announcement was made by the Minister of Health, who explained that GH¢600 million has been allocated for the project in the upcoming budget.
The new hospitals will be located in the Savannah, Oti, and Western North regions — areas that have operated without fully functional regional hospitals despite their growing populations. The construction is part of a broader government commitment to complete previously abandoned health facilities and to reduce disparities in health service access across the country.
The Minister of Health emphasised that the initiative reflects a broader prioritization of health in the government’s development agenda. He noted that the 2026 health budget represents the most “people-focused and health-centered” plan in recent years. Under this plan, construction of the regional hospitals will coincide with continued work on other healthcare projects, including the completion of maternity blocks, hospital expansions, and district-level health centre upgrades.
Officials also revealed plans to accelerate the rollout of community-based health infrastructure. As part of the health expansion programme, every district is expected to build at least two new community health compounds (CHIPS) annually. This measure aims to strengthen primary health care coverage and bring essential health services closer to residents in remote and rural areas.
Healthcare experts and civil society groups have welcomed the announcement. They described the planned hospitals as crucial for improving referral services, reducing patient load at existing overstretched facilities, and ensuring that critical care becomes accessible without the need for long-distance travel.
Nevertheless, they urged the government to ensure timely and transparent execution of the projects. Many pointed out that past promises of health infrastructure upgrades were often delayed or stalled. To avoid setbacks, stakeholders are calling for robust project management, clear timelines, and community involvement.
As Ghana prepares for the launch of these regional hospitals, citizens in the identified regions are hopeful that the developments will bring a long-awaited improvement in healthcare delivery. If implemented successfully, the initiative could mark a significant step toward equitable health access for all Ghanaians.
