Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has paid a historic working visit to the Ministry of Health, as part of her oversight responsibility for the ministries of Health, Education, and Gender and Social Protection.

The visit, aimed at strengthening collaboration and ensuring effective healthcare delivery, underscored the government’s commitment to building a resilient health system.

Addressing officials during her visit, the Vice President said the health sector remained a priority for her office, pledging to work closely with the Minister to improve services.

She commended Health Minister Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh for his leadership and, in particular, his unannounced visits to health facilities, which she described as an effective tool to boost productivity and ensure accountability.

Responding to the Vice President, Mr. Akandoh highlighted the central role of health in national development and stressed the importance of periodically reviewing the government’s health agenda to meet sector objectives.

He shared several achievements under his tenure, despite challenges posed by outbreaks of cholera, meningitis, and mpox. Among these were the swift implementation of interventions to stabilise the system, the placement of over 10,000 health professionals on government payroll—with 7,000 already receiving salaries—and the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve access to healthcare.

The Minister also announced that all outstanding NHIS claims amounting to GH₵600 million have been cleared, nursing trainee fees have been slashed by half, and allowances are now being paid on time.

He further noted ongoing investments in major hospital retooling, the upgrading of nursing training institutions, and progress on the government’s flagship Agenda 111 project, with three facilities more than 70% complete.

Mr. Akandoh expressed gratitude to the Vice President for her support, saying it served as motivation for his ministry to deliver on its mandate.

The Vice President’s visit marks the first of its kind and signals a renewed effort by the government to prioritise healthcare as a cornerstone of national development.