The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that there will be no cost associated with accessing services under the newly introduced Free Primary Health Care programme.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed that the only requirement is a valid national identification card.
The Health Minister stressed that the Free Primary Health Care programme is to promote early access to healthcare across the country.
Speaking at a press engagement on Monday, April 13, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated, “It is important to emphasise that there will be no cost for the preventive and promotive as well as curative services within the Free Primary Health Care service package. The only thing you need is to show a valid National ID”.
He further disclosed that the Free Primary Health Care Programme will begin in 150 underserved districts over the next two months.
The Health Minister further disclosed that equipment will be distributed to all 150 districts that will be part of the first phase of implementation.
He said, “Over 350 container-based service delivery points in high-traffic areas such as markets and lorry parks.
“Health workers and volunteers will not only be waiting at facilities—they will be in your homes, schools, churches, and workplaces—screening, educating, and supporting you to stay healthy.”
For many Ghanaians, mostly those in underserved communities, the cost of basic healthcare has long led to delayed hospital visits or reliance on self-medication.
This new policy seeks to change this by improving access to primary healthcare.
The Health Minister stressed that despite the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme, many Ghanaians still face out-of-pocket payments, which prevent them from seeking medical care.
He disclosed that the free primary healthcare will include CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics nationwide.
The Free Primary Health Care Programme forms part of Ghana’s broader push toward Universal Health Coverage. Currently, coverage stands at about 56 per cent, with a target of reaching 80 per cent by 2030.
The announcement follows the Minister of Health, who had earlier revealed that the NDC-led John Mahama government’s free primary healthcare initiative will be rolled out by January 2026.
The health minister emphasised that the free primary healthcare initiative is aimed at giving real meaning to preventive healthcare, enabling early detection and effective management of diseases.
According to Mintah Akandoh, the free primary healthcare is to remove cost barriers and improve access to healthcare.
Speaking at the 23rd Annual General and Scientific Conference of the Medical Superintendent’s Group in the Eastern Region on Tuesday, October 14, the Health Minister detailed, “As part of our journey towards universal health coverage, one of the major hindrances is cost.
Although we have the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), many Ghanaians, especially from certain parts of the country, are not subscribers. Currently, only about 56 per cent of the population is enrolled”.
“What the government is developing now is to ensure that at least primary healthcare is free across the country. This will allow us to strengthen preventive care so we can detect diseases early and manage them properly,” he added.
The Health Minister also announced that the government will be retooling healthcare facilities across the country.