AGP Executive Report

Free Primary Healthcare: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh launched Ghana’s Free Primary Health Care in Volta, saying CHPS, health centres and polyclinics will treat common ailments free for everyone, while NHIS continues for referrals to higher hospitals. Hospital Safety: The Minister also warned that nobody has the right to attack health workers, pointing to fast court action in a recent nurse assault case. Maternal & Newborn Safety: A family at Salaga Government Hospital is demanding an independent probe into the alleged disappearance of their newborn; two midwives/nurses were arrested, remanded and face court again on June 18. Water & Public Health: In Nkwanta South (Oti Region), home burials inside residential compounds are blocking a mechanised borehole project due to groundwater contamination fears; a community cemetery is being planned. Sanitation Pressure: Greater Accra’s refuse crisis is worsening as over 500 aboboyaa riders queue for hours after dumping sites become inaccessible or overwhelmed, raising health and traffic concerns. Albinism Care: GAPA marked International Albinism Awareness Day, urging dedicated dermatology and eye units in regional hospitals and better funding for skin cancer prevention and support services. Child Protection: Ada East reports rising child labour (43 cases Jan–May 2026), with calls for parents, employers and chiefs to stop exploitation and protect children’s education. Road Safety: Multiple crashes across regions left fatalities and injuries, including a VVIP bus collision near Zebilla and a Konongo tanker/container crash sending victims to hospital.

Free Primary Healthcare in Volta: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says the Free Primary Healthcare policy will make CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics free for common ailments, complementing (not replacing) NHIS and focusing on prevention and early detection. Ho Teaching Hospital Status: Asogli chiefs urge the Minister to make Ho Teaching Hospital’s “teaching” role real, citing gaps in equipment and specialist services despite its tertiary designation. Barekese Water Protection: GWC calls for district assembly, traditional authorities, schools, youth groups and media to jointly safeguard the Barekese catchment through by-law enforcement, tree planting and sustainable land use. Tobacco Liability Push: VAST Ghana urges government to start processes for WHO FCTC Article 19 “polluter pays” tobacco liability measures and strengthen Article 5.3 protections from industry interference. Child Labour Alarm (Ada East & Ahafo): Ada East records 43 child labour cases (Jan–May 2026), while stakeholders in Ahafo rally with a “Red Card to Child Labour” push against exploitation. Sanitation & Flood Prevention (Nima): Let Love Lead mobilises about 3,000 volunteers to clear drains and reduce flooding risk. Maternal/Newborn Safety: A family demands an independent probe into the alleged disappearance of a newborn baby at Salaga Municipal Hospital. Road Safety Tragedy (Zebilla): A VVIP bus and Toyota Sienna crash near Zebilla leaves at least seven feared dead; investigations continue. Health Access via Water: A-ensonga Hearts hands over a mechanised borehole to a CHPS compound and kindergarten in Gowrie to improve safe water for care and pregnancy services. Unclaimed Patient (37 Military Hospital): Authorities appeal for help identifying a female accident patient unclaimed since May 15. Discrimination Against Albinism: Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations urges stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and better eye/skin healthcare for persons with albinism.

Newborn Safety Crisis: Two midwives, Frank Atanga and Mariam Mohammed, have been remanded over the disappearance of a newborn at Salaga Municipal Hospital in the East Gonja District; the Savannah Regional Health Directorate says searches were immediately carried out and investigations are ongoing with police. Medicines Access Woes: Residents of Daffiama say CHPS and a health centre lack basic drugs like paracetamol, forcing patients to buy medicines and sometimes travel to Doung—raising fears of preventable deaths. Sanitation & Flood Prevention: Zoomlion, NADMO and partners have deployed officers to MMDAs across Greater Accra to keep flood-prone drains clear after a three-day clean-up; ESPA also urged government support and better public attitude to tackle waste and disease. Mental Health Infrastructure: KGL Foundation renovated the OPD Centre of Accra Psychiatric Hospital to improve mental healthcare delivery and patient experience. Primary Healthcare Policy: Pusiga Health Directorate launched a free primary healthcare policy. Health Workforce & Traditional Care: TMPC inducted new medical herbalists, urging postings to rural communities and integration of evidence-based herbal medicine into primary care. Ebola Funding: The US committed over $200m to Ebola response in DRC and Uganda, including airport and border detection support. Community Health Support: MTN staff donated learning materials to Street Academy, while Let Love Lead ran a major sanitation drive in Nima with thousands of participants.

Newborn safety crisis: Two nurses were remanded after a baby girl vanished at Salaga Municipal Hospital, reigniting concerns about protection for newborns in public facilities. Primary care access: Pusiga District Health Directorate launched a free primary healthcare policy, with residents using their Ghana Card to get services like immunisation, maternal/child care, screening and referrals. Volta health capacity: Asogli chiefs raised alarm over deteriorating Ho Teaching Hospital, including a non-functioning MRI for nearly a decade; MTN also refurbished 300 beds at the facility to boost capacity. Medicines shortages: Daffiama residents complained of inadequate medicines at CHPS/health centres, forcing patients to buy drugs or travel—sometimes with deadly delays. Ebola funding: The US pledged over $200m for Ebola response in DRC and Uganda, including airport and border detection and lab support. Cervical cancer push: Ghana joined a World Health Assembly side event calling for stronger systems and accountability to eliminate cervical cancer, including HPV vaccination and closer-to-community screening. Sanitation and flooding: Zoomlion, NADMO and partners deployed officers across Accra to sustain anti-flood drain cleaning, while calls grew to tackle flooding’s root causes and improve waste management. Repatriation health checks: Health screening and blood tests were reported for Ghanaians repatriated from Côte d’Ivoire after demolitions, with relief items provided.

School Feeding & Local Farms: WFP and partners launched a home-grown school feeding pilot for 33,598 children daily across Karaga (Northern) and Sekyere Central (Ashanti), linking schools to smallholder farmers under a $12m, three-year programme. Hospital Bed Shortage Relief: MTN Ghana has started refurbishing about 500 broken beds at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital to tackle the “no bed syndrome,” aiming to reduce turn-aways for emergency and critical cases. NHIA Claims Payment Rules: NHIA says hospitals with insurance claims lost during the switch from LHIMS to GHIMS can’t be compensated under current public financial management rules unless services are verifiably documented. Newborn Safety in Court: The Mamprobi Hospital baby theft case got a final disclosure filing chance for prosecutors; the matter is adjourned to July 8. Ebola Preparedness at Borders: Government says surveillance and isolation systems are active to guard against Ebola threats, with renewed focus on readiness at entry points. Food & Nutrition Security: CSIR warns indigenous crop varieties are disappearing from Ghanaian farms and tables, even as they fetch premium prices abroad. Health Tech Spotlight: A GIMPA student’s digital healthcare access app won top prize at the GIMPA Tech Fair, highlighting growing interest in health-focused innovation.

Ebola Preparedness: Ghana has activated surveillance and isolation systems at major border entry points (Elubo and Aflao) to guard against possible Ebola spread after the DRC outbreak. Blood Safety: Ahead of World Blood Donor Day (June 12), Ghana’s National Blood Service Ghana and WHO renewed calls for voluntary blood donation to tackle persistent shortages. Newborn Jaundice: A paediatrician warned mothers to find the cause of newborn jaundice at hospital, noting hidden causes like infections and G6PD deficiency can be dangerous if missed. Water & Sanitation: Ghana Water Ltd inaugurated the Governing Council of the Ghana Water Institute to boost training and research for better water service delivery. Menstrual Health: World Vision and Unilever supported adolescents in Bawku West with menstrual hygiene materials and hygiene education to improve school attendance. SGBV Response: Oti Region stakeholders were trained on the Essential Services Package to strengthen prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence. Hospital Accountability: The Gender-Based Violence Court gave prosecutors a final chance to file disclosures in the Mamprobi Hospital baby theft case, adjourning to July 8. Emergency Care Gap: A Central Tongu assembly member appealed for repairs to a long-broken district ambulance, saying it’s delaying maternal and emergency referrals. Health System Capacity: A former health advisor said Agenda 111 hospitals are equipped but some remain idle, urging government to open them and hire staff. Infrastructure for Health Access: Offinso North began work on a 24-hour economy model market that includes a clinic and pharmacies, aiming to improve local access and livelihoods.

Universal Health Coverage: Ghana’s Vice-President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stressed that UHC hinges on a resilient, well-trained and properly deployed health workforce, not just producing more staff. Hospital Governance & Patient Care: At Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), doctors suspended industrial action after Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s intervention, following weeks of tension over the CEO suspension and renovation plans. Road Safety & Health Checks: The Prisons Clinic trained drivers and pushed regular medical screening as a way to reduce road crashes linked to ill-health and poor awareness. Inland Water Safety: Transport Deputy Minister Dorcas Affo-Toffey backed a new inland water safety push, including 200 safety officers and 20,000 life jackets, to cut avoidable river deaths. Road Licensing & Vision: DVLA disclosed that 4,896 drivers were denied licences last year due to eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts, with many later passing after treatment. Sanitation & Food Safety: Kasseh Market executives in Ada East moved to stop food sales near a public toilet facility to prevent contamination risks during rains. Health Workforce Expansion: Government plans to recruit 16,000 health workers in 2026 and expand rural deployment to close service gaps. Digital Security for Health: A communications minister warned that cyber insecurity can lock hospitals out of patient records, urging West Africa to defend digital infrastructure as sovereignty.

KATH Strike Ends: Doctors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) resumed work Tuesday evening, ending a four-day strike just before a National Labour Commission hearing, after commitments following intervention by the Asantehene and hospital stakeholders—patients had been left stranded during the walkout. Ebola Preparedness Questioned: An MP on Parliament’s Health Committee raised alarms over Ghana’s readiness for Ebola and other outbreaks, pointing to non-operational isolation-capable facilities like Sewua Hospital and Afari Military Hospital, especially for the middle and northern belts. Afari Military Hospital Still Not Operational: Minority MPs inspected Afari Military Hospital and renewed calls for immediate completion and operationalisation, saying delays are harming access to care; the visit also drew friction with military personnel over entry. Health Workforce Push: Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang reiterated that a strong, well-distributed health workforce is key to Universal Health Coverage, while government continues reforms to reduce deployment gaps. Emergency Care Upgrade: Nsawam-Adoagyiri’s municipal ambulance, out of service since 2020, has been repaired and restored to operation to improve emergency transport. Maternal Care Boost: Nabdam MP Dr. Mark Nawaane commissioned a new KG classroom block with sanitation facilities and a fully equipped maternity ward to strengthen early learning and maternal/child health.

Emergency Care Reform: A new “No-Bed Syndrome” installment argues Ghana’s crisis isn’t lack of beds, but weak emergency systems that can’t move patients safely under pressure—calling for resilient, designed-in preparation rather than improvisation. Workforce Push: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says Ghana will recruit 16,000 health workers in 2026 and has already posted 100 doctors to underserved regions, up from 12 in 2025. KATH Strike Fallout: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital doctors suspended their industrial action after stakeholder talks and the Asantehene’s intervention, but the wider patient-care disruption remains a live concern. Maternal Health Gap: Parliament hears that over 12,000 women live with obstetric fistula, yet only about 200 get treatment yearly; calls are growing for NHIA and Mahama Care to cover repairs. Ebola Preparedness: Government says surveillance and isolation systems are active at border posts like Elubo and Aflao to detect Ebola threats following the DRC outbreak. Violence Against Health Workers: A Tema court convicted a man who assaulted a midwife at Community 22 Polyclinic, ordering GHS 5,000 compensation and barring him from the facility for 12 months. HPV Vaccine Drive: Ghana is preparing a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign and trained media to improve public understanding and reduce vaccine misinformation. Sanitation & Waste: ECOWAS’ Ghana office urges citizens and policymakers to tackle plastic pollution and poor waste disposal to reduce flooding and health risks, while local government directs environmental health officers to get better field logistics. Health Tech Recognition: HealthTech Ghana was named Innovative Medical Technology Distributor of the Year at WABEA for diagnostic upgrades at 37 Military Hospital, including a helium-free MRI.

Ebola Watch: Kenya faces public backlash over a U.S.-funded Ebola quarantine ward for Americans, even as Uganda reports 16 cases and DRC’s outbreak grows to 363 confirmed cases—raising fears the situation could worsen fast. KATH Strike Update: Komfo Anokye doctors suspended their industrial action after intervention by Otumfuo and talks with hospital leadership, aiming to protect patient care while issues are still being resolved. Maternal & Child Safety: A teacher was arrested over a viral assault on a student at Nyinahin Catholic SHS, while a Tema Community 22 Polyclinic midwife assault case ended in a fine and compensation, and an undertaker accused of defilement of a nine-year-old was granted bail. Access to Care: Telecel Ghana Foundation’s Healthfest screened hundreds in Konongo for conditions including hypertension, diabetes, malaria and STIs, and supported NHIS registration renewals. Health System Push: Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare programme was launched in Bono with calls for compassionate service delivery to help close gaps toward Universal Health Coverage. Public Health & Environment: Ghana’s Fire Service supervised demolition of an unsafe Osu building to prevent further deaths, following the Avenor collapse. Corruption & Accountability: The U.S. extradited former MASLOC boss Sedina Tamakloe Attionu to serve a 10-year sentence in Ghana after convictions tied to misappropriating about $6m.

KATH Strike Fallout: Ghana’s Health Ministry called the KATH doctors and nurses strike “unfortunate,” saying the suspended CEO’s removal is an administrative step to support an independent probe after KATH announced a temporary halt to Accident & Emergency admissions—while also clarifying the suspension is not of his medical officer status. Flood & Fire Relief: Stanbic Bank Ghana donated GH¢400,000 in relief items to NADMO, including boots, raincoats, life jackets, food supplies and dignity kits, to support communities hit by the June 3 floods and fires. WASH for Rural Communities: World Vision Ghana signed an MoU with four Upper East district assemblies (Bawku West, Builsa South, Garu, Tempane) to push universal WASH access by 2030, including a “Drinking Water Sustainability Fund” for repairs and expansion. Sanitation Pressure in Accra: Viral footage of refuse clogging swollen drains reignited debate on waste management and flooding risk, with calls for stronger action against plastic pollution. Climate & Food Security: Proforest warned climate impacts are already cutting cocoa and food farmers’ incomes, urging ecosystem restoration as economic policy. Power Disruptions: ECG announced planned maintenance outages on Tuesday, June 9 across parts of Eastern, Tema, Accra East/West, Volta and Ashanti regions. Ebola Preparedness at Borders: Deputy Health Minister said Ghana has activated surveillance and isolation systems and is tightening Ebola readiness at border points.

KATH Crisis: Ghana’s Health Ministry says KATH CEO Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo is suspended for two weeks only as administrative head, not as a medical officer, after the hospital halted A&E admissions due to congestion—sparking an indefinite doctors and nurses strike and renewed calls for calm from Parliament’s Health Committee Chair. Ebola Preparedness: Ghana’s Deputy Health Minister inspected border posts at Aflao and Elubo, flagging gaps in PPE, staffing and degraded facilities while confirming no suspected Ebola cases. Dengue Vaccine Push: A €11.09m DENSTAR project launched by an international consortium aims to accelerate dengue vaccine trials and regulatory approval for sub-Saharan Africa, with KNUST playing a key role. Community Health Access: Telecel Ghana Foundation’s Healthfest screened 400+ people in Konongo for conditions including hypertension, diabetes, malaria, HIV and hepatitis B, and supported NHIS registration. Water & Sanitation: WaterAid Ghana commissioned WASH facilities at Sauli and Ul-Dantie Health Centres in Jirapa to strengthen infection prevention and maternal/child care. Food & Health Policy: Peasant farmers demand a six-month halt to rice imports to protect local livelihoods and reduce pressure on household food security. Waste & Health Risk: Sanitation stakeholders urged a shift away from landfill dependence in Greater Accra, warning funding gaps could worsen environmental health risks.

KATH Crisis: Ghana’s Health Ministry defended the suspension of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) CEO Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo as an administrative step to allow an independent probe after the Emergency Unit reportedly stopped taking new cases—while doctors, nurses and midwives expand a strike and unions push for reinstatement. Nursing & Midwifery Safety: Nurses and midwives in the Upper East Region renewed calls for better infrastructure, fair pay, training, leadership roles and safe working conditions, as NARM-GH also demanded justice after a midwife was assaulted at Tema Community 22 Hospital. New Diagnostic Capacity: HealthTech Ghana and the Ministry of Defence opened Ghana’s first helium-free MRI centre at 37 Military Hospital, offering free scans for eligible patients by appointment. Food Safety Push: Accra’s AMA marked World Food Safety Day by highlighting gaps in safe handling and pointing to updated WHO estimates showing unsafe food’s bigger health toll. Health System Access & Equity: Ghana Standards Authority says it is highly understaffed, forcing producers outside Accra to travel for certification and lab testing. Local Service Delivery: DACF and Wahu Mobility launched an electric motorbike pilot for districts to help officers reach communities and improve revenue and service delivery.

KATH Crisis: Ghana’s Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) remains in turmoil after the Health Minister suspended the CEO over emergency admissions amid congestion, triggering doctors’ and nurses’ strike threats; the National Labour Commission ordered KADA to end the indefinite strike and set a June 10 hearing, while talks with hospital leadership and unions reportedly moved toward a resolution. Accra Building Collapse: Avenor’s collapsed building in North Kaneshie has killed two so far, with two rescued and taken to Ridge Hospital as search continues; a separate North Industrial Area collapse also confirmed one death with rescue operations ongoing. Flood Response: The Works Minister ordered occupants of buildings on waterways and unauthorised sites to evacuate ahead of demolition to curb recurring flooding in Accra. Xenophobia Evacuation: Ghana completed the return of 979 citizens from South Africa, with the final batch of 342 landing in Accra; officials reiterated “no Ghanaian has been abandoned,” while government moves to secure compensation and jobs for returnees. Vaccines & Local Pharma: A nationwide survey found high vaccine confidence (89.7%) and support for local vaccine manufacturing, but awareness of the 2027 rollout is low, calling for stronger public education. Obstetric Fistula Care: UNFPA and Mercy Women Catholic Hospital provided free surgeries for about 30 fistula patients, highlighting Ghana’s low repair rates. Climate Warning: EPA urged urgent climate action, blaming flooding on dumping refuse into drains and building on waterways.

KATH Crisis Escalates: Ghana’s Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is in turmoil after the Health Minister suspended the CEO over emergency admissions during A&E congestion, triggering an indefinite doctors’ strike and threats from nurses and midwives to join from Sunday—while the Ghana Medical Association demands reinstatement within days and warns the standoff could destabilise care. Pregnancy Safety: Nurses in Tema are urging pregnant women to avoid unapproved OTC drugs, herbal remedies and supplements without professional advice, warning they can harm foetal development and raise risks like bleeding or reduced amniotic fluid. Menstrual Hygiene Safety Call: A new piece raises concerns about hidden chemicals in sanitary pads and calls for safer menstrual hygiene options, shifting the focus from access to what’s inside products. Telehealth for Pensioners: SSNIT has launched a telehealth service with NHIA and participating facilities to help retirees access consultations remotely, aiming to reduce cost and travel barriers. Ebola Preparedness: Ghana’s Deputy Health Minister says the country remains ready to prevent Ebola entering, highlighting screening and public education at the Elubo border. Public Health & Environment: World Environment Day coverage links climate and flooding risks to poor waste disposal and encroachment on waterways, with calls for stronger enforcement and community action. Community Care: Faith Abound for All provided free screenings in Tema, including eye, dental, lab tests and NHIS support. Security Incident: One person died and another was injured in an armed robbery attack on a MoMo vendor at Gomoa Dominase.

KATH Crisis Escalates: Doctors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have begun an indefinite withdrawal of services after the Health Ministry suspended the hospital CEO over emergency admissions, arguing the pause was meant to protect patients amid A&E congestion—setting up a wider standoff between clinicians and government. Violence Against Health Workers: A suspect accused of assaulting a midwife at Tema’s Community 22 Polyclinic is set to appear in court, after the Ministry condemned the attack and promised stronger safety measures for staff. Ebola Preparedness: WHO and partners launched a US$518m response plan as CDC modelling warns the Central Africa outbreak could exceed 20,000 cases in three months without urgent public health scale-up. Child Nutrition Push: WFP and Lions Club’s Home-Grown School Feeding pilot will support 33,598 schoolchildren with safe, nutritious local meals for a year, linking nutrition to smallholder farmers. Tobacco Warning: Ghana’s FDA cautioned youth that there is “no safe form of tobacco,” warning shisha and vapes still expose users to harmful nicotine and carcinogens. Menstrual Health Support: World Vision donated sanitary pads to schoolgirls for Menstrual Hygiene Day, stressing period-friendly care as a rights and health issue. Digital Health Upgrade: Ghana launched a UNDP–WHO–Japan AI health programme to strengthen digital systems, data protection, and early warning for climate-sensitive diseases.