Ghana's proposed GH¢1.2 billion Free Primary Healthcare plan criticized as misplaced priority
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, has criticized the government's plan to allocate GH¢1.2 billion annually to the proposed Free Primary Healthcare programme, calling it a misplaced priority. He questioned the policy's rationale given the number of incomplete critical healthcare infrastructure projects. His comments follow disclosures by the Minister of Health regarding the program's projected annual cost, which aims to expand access to basic healthcare services. Dr Ayew Afriye argued that Ghana already has a primary healthcare framework through Community-based Health Planning and Services CHPS compounds, supported by community health workers and auxiliary nurses. He stated that public awareness about preventive healthcare is not the issue, as education is ongoing at the community level. The lawmaker also expressed concern about the condition of existing health facilities, noting that many district hospitals operate in outdated structures. He insisted that the government should focus on completing ongoing hospital projects under the Agenda 111 initiative to address healthcare infrastructure gaps, reduce referrals, and create employment. He emphasized that while CHPS compounds and health centers exist, modern district hospitals are lacking. Dr Ayew Afriye proposed a phased approach to completing Agenda 111 projects over the next decade, arguing it would yield more sustainable results. He noted that nearly GH¢4.7 billion has been invested
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an NPP communicator and spokesperson for former NPP presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has been released from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office EOCO. His release follows three days of detention after he was picked up at the Accra International Airport in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged financial and procurement irregularities during his tenure as Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation. Aboagye met his GH₵50 million bail conditions, which his legal team had previously described as stringent. The anti-graft agency stated that the probe centers on the alleged misappropriation of approximately GH₵55 million. EOCO confirmed that investigations into the alleged irregularities are ongoing despite his release.
Kofi Tonto, an aide to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has alleged that Dennis Miracles Aboagye's arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office EOCO is politically motivated. Tonto claims the arrest of the NPP communicator stems from his criticism of the government. This follows supporters of the New Patriotic Party NPP storming EOCO offices to demand Aboagye's release. Aboagye, a former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation IMCCoD, was arrested as part of investigations into alleged misappropriation of approximately GH¢55 million at the Secretariat. EOCO states the investigation, which also involves former IMCCoD Accountant Gerald Appiah, is based on alleged financial and procurement irregularities and aims to ensure accountability. The NPP maintains Aboagye is being unfairly targeted due to his outspoken criticism of the government.
Must ReadDennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was escorted by officials from the Economic and Organised Crime Office EOCO to his Larteh Akuapem residence. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial and procurement irregularities totaling GH¢55 million that occurred during his tenure as former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation. Aboagye was granted bail for GH¢50 million with three sureties, two of which must be justified, conditions his legal team described as challenging. EOCO has not publicly disclosed the reason for the visit to his residence, which is part of a broader investigation involving Aboagye and another appointee.