Gov’t gives doctors one-week ultimatum to take up postings

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has granted newly posted medical doctors an additional week to report to their duty stations after what he described as a worrying nationwide refusal to take up postings.

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Tuesday, December 2, the Minister said early reporting figures were “not encouraging,” with seven out of every ten doctors yet to report. The situation is most severe in the Upper West and Upper East regions, where no newly posted doctor had arrived as of Friday, November 28.

Mr. Akandoh noted that in the Upper West Region, 25 of the 32 doctors posted had failed to report, a development he warned could undermine healthcare delivery for nearly one million residents.

“We will give them an additional week to appeal to them to report to their various facilities where they have been posted. After that, we will do what we call validation,” he said, stressing that postings will not be altered under any circumstances.

He added that the ministry is working with local authorities to make the districts more conducive for the doctors.
“We are engaging stakeholders in their respective districts—regional ministers, Members of Parliament, DCEs, chiefs—to facilitate their stay so they can give their best," he explained, adding that government is also considering incentives to encourage compliance.

Despite the poor turnout, the Minister expressed optimism, describing the newly qualified doctors as “wonderful medical doctors” who would eventually respond to the call.

Mr. Akandoh also highlighted Ghana’s uneven distribution of health personnel, noting that nearly half of all medical doctors are concentrated in the Greater Accra Region. “Is it not scary?” he asked. “So, at this point, the government has made a decision: let’s post these medical officers to where their services are needed most.”

He said regional health directors have begun reaching out to the doctors through calls and electronic messages, and that further stakeholder consultations are underway to secure accommodation and additional support to ease their transition.