Health Minister urges African nations to finance their own health systems
via GhanaWeb5 min read
Health Minister Kwabena Minta Akandoh called on African countries to reduce reliance on external funding and instead mobilize domestic resources to finance their health systems. Speaking at the African Union's 25th Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra, Mr. Akandoh emphasized that greater self-reliance is crucial for achieving health sovereignty and universal health coverage across the continent. He urged African leaders to prioritize predictable and sustainable domestic financing for health systems, aligning with the Abuja Declaration. The Minister also advocated for expanding local production of medicines, vaccines, and health technologies, highlighting that recent global health emergencies exposed Africa's dependence on imported medical products. Additionally, he stressed the importance of placing primary healthcare at the core of national health systems through investments in community clinics and frontline healthcare professionals. While acknowledging progress in reducing HIV and AIDS infections, Mr. Akandoh noted that Africa still faces significant health challenges, including high maternal mortality rates and limited access to quality healthcare, with the continent accounting for nearly 70 percent of global maternal deaths.
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The Ashanti Region has 68,354 people living with HIV, making it the second-highest region in Ghana after Greater Accra, which has 77,512. The region also recorded 2,852 new HIV infections, again the second-highest nationally. District-level data reveals varying prevalence rates, with Asokwa recording the highest adult HIV prevalence at 3.25 percent, followed by Juaben at 2.95 percent. Obuasi, a mining community, had a prevalence of 2.22 percent. In contrast, Sekyere Kumawu, Asokore Mampong, and Adansi Asokwa showed some of the lowest rates. Nationally, 337,435 people are living with HIV in Ghana, with 13,951 new infections and 12,051 AIDS-related deaths. The national adult HIV prevalence is 1.40 percent, which is lower than Ashanti's regional average. Adult antiretroviral therapy coverage nationally is 57.6 percent, while child coverage is 39.6 percent. Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission coverage stands at 98.9 percent. Ghana's progress towards the global 95-95-95 targets is 70 percent for knowing status, 81 percent for being on treatment, and 92 percent for viral suppression. Madam Olivia Graham, Ashanti Regional Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission, emphasized that these figures should prompt action, calling for increased community-level testing, adherence support, and destigmatization, especially in high-burden districts.
The Bank of Ghana has issued a warning to traders, transport operators, and businesses regarding the refusal to accept Ghana cedi coins and notes, stating that such actions are criminal offenses. In a public notice signed by Bank Secretary Aimee Vyda Quashie on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, the Central Bank expressed concern over the widespread refusal to accept various pesewa and cedi coins for goods and services. This directive follows an earlier instruction on currency misuse and defacement, addressing the unlawful refusal to accept legal tender. The Bank reminded the public that all coins issued by the Bank of Ghana are lawful currency and must be accepted according to the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 Act 612 and the Currency Act, 1964 Act 242. The notice clarifies that no entity or individual has the discretion to refuse these coins due to inconvenience, low value, or personal preference, as they have not been demonetized or withdrawn. Refusing to sell to a buyer paying with coins or notes is an offense under the Currency Act, 1964, carrying penalties of up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both. Business owners instructing staff to reject coins will be held responsible, and offenders may be arrested without a warrant. The Bank of Ghana will collaborate with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies for enforcement. The public is encouraged to report non-compliance to the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Police Service, or through the Bank鈥檚 official communication c
Public and private institutions in Ghana that use the Ghana Card for identity verification have been given a three-month transition period to comply with new biometric verification requirements under Legislative Instrument LI 2533. The Minister of the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed, announced on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, that organizations have from July 27 to November 2, 2026, to implement the necessary systems, infrastructure, and staff training. During this period, institutions are expected to establish protocols to implement LI 2533. The Minister emphasized that this transition is for orderly implementation and does not suspend or waive any obligations under the policy. Under LI 2533, organizations can no longer rely on photocopies, scanned images, or visual inspection of the Ghana Card for identity verification. Instead, they must authenticate individuals through biometric verification against the national identification register or by using National Identification Authority-approved smart card devices. The Minister urged various institutions, including banks, telecommunications companies, hospitals, schools, insurance firms, and government agencies, to onboard onto the National Identification Authority's Identity Verification System Platform. Non-compliant organizations after the transition period face sanctions, including penalties and suspension of access to the national identity verification platform. These reforms aim to strengthen Ghana's national identity syst