The President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has officially launched the much-anticipated Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) initiative at Dodowa in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s journey towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The event brought together key stakeholders in the health sector, traditional authorities, government officials, and members of the public, all united in a shared commitment to improving access to quality healthcare across the country.
Delivering the keynote address, President Mahama expressed satisfaction at launching the initiative at a facility with an outstanding maternal health record, having recorded zero maternal deaths over a sustained period and earning international recognition.
He reiterated Ghana’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage, noting that while significant progress has been made in improving access and affordability, more must be done to strengthen preventive care.
Under the initiative, the President announced that every Ghanaian would be entitled to one basic health screening annually, while clarifying that the Free Primary Health Care initiative is designed to complement, not replace, the National Health Insurance Scheme. Access to services at health posts, CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics will only require the presentation of the Ghana card or any ID card which proves ones Ghanaian identity.
He further highlighted additional components of the programme, including intensified public education on healthy lifestyles, deployment of trained volunteers to support service delivery at health kiosks, and the introduction of home visits to enhance community-level care.
The President announced that the initiative will commence in 150 districts, particularly in underserved areas, with a nationwide rollout expected to be completed by 2028. He added that the introduction of
tricycles would further strengthen outreach services and complement the delivery of primary healthcare.
In a statement, the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the launch as a landmark moment in the transformation of Ghana’s health system as he lauded the bold leadership demonstrated in recent health sector reforms, including efforts to uncap the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Ghana’s increasing role in global health sovereignty discussions.
The Minister identified key health system challenges, such as the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), late reporting of health conditions, and high out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, as critical drivers for the initiative.
He explained that the FPHC would deliver financial protection, promote equity, and prioritise preventive healthcare interventions.
Hon. Akandoh outlined key implementation strategies, including the provision of medical equipment to 150 districts, the establishment of 350 health posts in densely populated communities, and the deployment of trained health workers and community volunteers. He also announced plans to regularise routine health screening and shift the focus of healthcare delivery from “sick care” to “health care.”
Delivering an address to welcome guests in her capacity as the Greater Accra Regional Minister and MP for the area, Hon. Linda Akweley Ocloo, underscored the region’s strategic importance to national development and emphasised that good health begins in communities.
She noted that the introduction of the Free Primary Health Care initiative would significantly ease the burden of healthcare costs on citizens while improving access to essential services.
“This initiative assures our people that they no longer have to worry about the cost and accessibility of basic healthcare services,” she stated, while pledging the region’s full support for its successful implementation.
In a related speech on behalf of the National House of Chiefs, Daasebrɛ Kweibu Ewusi VII expressed profound gratitude to the Government for what he described as a bold and progressive intervention to improve the well-being of Ghanaians.
He highlighted the initiative as a clear testament to the government’s commitment to translating vision into tangible impact.
He further commended the programme’s equity-driven and inclusive nature, noting that it would enhance access to quality healthcare, particularly for underserved populations. Daasebrɛ Ewusi VII assured that traditional authorities across the country would leverage their platforms to promote the initiative within their respective communities.
In a symbolic climax to the event, President Mahama officially launched the Free Primary Health Care initiative to resounding applause from the audience.
Again, as part of the ceremony, the President commissioned the first health kiosk and presented medical equipment to beneficiary districts, signalling the Government’s readiness to operationalise the initiative.
The launch of the Free Primary Health Care initiative will strengthen Ghana’s primary healthcare system, improve health outcomes, and ensure that no Ghanaian is left behind in accessing essential healthcare services.