Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has outlined significant strides made under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to strengthen Ghana’s health sector.

She made the remarks during the 50th anniversary launch of the College of Community Health Nursing (CCHN) on November 6, 2025.

Addressing participants at the event, Prof. Ayensu-Danquah highlighted reforms in the payment of nursing training allowances, noting that the process has been streamlined through the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.

This, she said, ensures timely, consistent, and accountable disbursement of allowances directly to students’ bank accounts.

She also spoke on the lingering challenge of unemployed nurses, assuring that the government is working to complete ongoing health facilities to create more avenues for recruitment into the public health workforce.

The Deputy Minister further announced the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund—also known as Mahama Care—following parliamentary approval.

The fund is designed to support the treatment of specialised medical conditions and provide critical equipment to hospitals across the country.

Through this initiative, the Ministry of Health recently donated eight high-quality anaesthesia machines to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

A nationwide survey is currently underway to assess equipment needs in health facilities, with the goal of ensuring equitable distribution and reducing the burden on major referral centres.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah expressed confidence that these measures will reduce medical tourism abroad and position Ghana as a destination for specialised healthcare.

Commending her sector Minister, Mr. Mintah Akandoh, for his collaborative leadership free from partisan influence, she revealed plans to elevate the Trauma and Specialist Hospital to the status of a fully specialised facility.

She noted that the hospital’s strategic location along the accident-prone Accra–Cape Coast highway makes it essential to expand its capacity and expertise.

She also announced the government’s recruitment of 700 medical doctors to address shortages across the regions. The distribution, she assured, will be equitable, with accompanying measures to provide accommodation and adequate resources for healthcare staff.

The Deputy Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to building a resilient health system capable of meeting the needs of all Ghanaians, while offering quality care closer to home.