The Ministry of Health has officially inaugurated the new governing boards for several key teaching hospitals and health agencies across the country. These include Korle-Bu, Komfo Anokye, Cape Coast, Ho, Tamale, and Sunyani Teaching Hospitals, along with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Ministry of Health in Accra, marks a critical step in Ghana’s ongoing healthcare reforms aimed at enhancing governance, efficiency, and accountability within the sector.
A Call to Duty, Not Privilege
In his keynote address, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh charged the newly appointed board members to embrace their roles with dedication, discipline, and measurable outcomes.
“Your appointment is no mere accolade. It is a solemn call to service at the highest level of stewardship in our health sector,” Hon. Akandoh declared. “You are now the custodians of institutions that are the bedrock of Ghana’s health system. The decisions you make will profoundly shape the well-being of millions of Ghanaians.”
He emphasized that under President John Dramani Mahama’s bold health reset agenda, each board will be required to sign performance contracts with clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and submit regular progress reports for evaluation.
Financial Discipline and Efficiency
The Minister was unequivocal about the government’s expectation of financial prudence and operational efficiency. He warned against wasteful administrative practices that have historically drained health budgets.
“Every cedi entrusted to your institutions must be stretched to its fullest potential in service of the Ghanaian people. We can no longer tolerate the wasteful practices of the past,” Akandoh stated.
He urged the boards to ensure that their meetings are strategic and impactful, not routine or perfunctory. “Governance must be purposeful, efficient, and geared towards advancing the institutions’ mandates.”
A New Maintenance Culture
In a sweeping directive, the Minister ordered all teaching hospitals to establish and maintain two distinct accounts:
- One for infrastructure upkeep (painting, roof repairs, minor restorations).
- Another for maintenance of critical diagnostic and medical equipment.
“It is inexcusable to preside over the decline of assets indispensable to care delivery. Maintenance is not an optional extra—it is a foundational obligation,” he stressed.
“We must end the culture of blaming government when things deteriorate due to our own lapses.”
Oversight and Accountability
The boards, typically comprised of 11 members representing hospitals, universities, and key stakeholders, are now tasked with overseeing management, improving service delivery, and ensuring resource optimization across their respective institutions.
The government, through the Health Ministry, is expected to monitor board performance closely as part of its broader vision to reset and strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system.