President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to expand emergency departments in major teaching hospitals, recruit additional health professionals and strengthen referral systems as part of efforts to address Ghana’s persistent no-bed syndrome.
Speaking at the 68th Annual General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), President Mahama outlined several healthcare reforms aimed at improving emergency response, expanding access to specialised treatment and strengthening the distribution of medical personnel across the country.
The conference, held under the theme “The No-Bed Syndrome: Reimagining a Befitting Emergency Response System for Ghana,” provided an opportunity for the President to address concerns within the healthcare sector and outline government’s interventions to improve service delivery.
President Mahama Pushes for Improved Emergency Response
President Mahama explained that addressing the no-bed syndrome requires more than increasing the number of physical beds in hospitals. He stressed the importance of having trained medical personnel, functional equipment, oxygen and essential supplies available to provide the necessary care.
He announced that government had piloted an Integrated Bed Management and Referral Coordination System to help hospitals and ambulance teams identify facilities with available capacity and coordinate patient transfers.
The pilot programme involves Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital at Ridge, 37 Military Hospital, the University of Ghana Medical Centre and the National Ambulance Service.
“It’s not just about the bed. A bed becomes a place of care when trained professionals, functioning equipment, oxygen, and essential supplies are available to provide the care that the patient needs.”
Except from President Mahama’s speech at the Conference
The President also announced plans to expand accident and emergency departments to constitute at least 10 per cent of each hospital’s functional bed capacity. At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, for instance, this would require increasing emergency beds from the existing 65 to at least 150.
Work on expanding emergency centres at Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye, Tamale Teaching Hospital and 37 Military Hospital is expected to begin in 2027, with the necessary personnel and equipment provided.
He further disclosed that the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital would begin receiving members of the public on November 6, 2026, providing additional capacity for emergency cases.
16,000 Health Workers Expected to Be Recruited
On the distribution of healthcare professionals, President Mahama revealed that 100 doctors had accepted postings to previously underserved communities, which had collectively recorded only 25 doctors under the existing deployment policy.
He said government was also working towards regularising annual recruitment to address prolonged waiting periods experienced by some health professionals seeking employment in the public health sector.
“Last year, we placed 13,500 nurses and midwives on the government payroll. This year, we have recruited 8,000 health workers, including nurses and other professionals, and expect to add a further 8,000 by the end of the year, making 16,000 in all.”
President John Dramani Mahama pushes to expand health force
Government is also developing financial and non-financial incentives for health professionals accepting postings to deprived and underserved communities. According to the President, 106 districts have been identified for the proposed programme, with discussions ongoing with the Ministry of Finance.
He added that government would continue engaging the GMA on remuneration, conditions of service and allowances, while expanding postgraduate training opportunities for doctors and approving specialised training for 500 additional nurses.
Government Outlines Further Healthcare Investments
President Mahama further highlighted investments in specialised healthcare, including the development of cardiac care facilities at Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye and Tamale Teaching Hospitals. He also disclosed that government was working on an organ transplantation framework and an accompanying bill to regulate the safe and ethical development of transplantation services.
Other projects include the completion of the 509-bed maternity and children’s block at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, construction of a new 400-bed maternity and children’s block at Korle Bu, and the completion of the 160-bed La General Hospital next year.
Government has also allocated GH¢200 million in the 2027 Budget towards completing the Police Hospital expansion project, which is expected to increase its capacity to 300 beds. Additionally, 35 abandoned Agenda 111 hospital projects that are at least 70 per cent complete are being prepared for re-awarding and completion.
On healthcare financing, the President said the 2026 Budget allocated approximately GH¢22.8 billion to the Ministry of Health and its agencies, including GH¢11.3 billion in transfers to the National Health Fund, of which GH¢2.26 billion is earmarked for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.
He also cautioned healthcare facilities against charging patients additional fees for services covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), warning that facilities found engaging in the practice would face action.
President Mahama called on the Ghana Medical Association to provide practical recommendations on emergency care, workforce deployment and the implementation of healthcare reforms, emphasising that accountability and collaboration would be essential to improving the country’s health system.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with medical professionals to ensure that Ghanaians can depend on the healthcare system while health workers receive the necessary support to deliver quality care.
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