Parliament approves GH₵22.80 billion for Ministry of Health operations
On Wednesday, the Parliament of Ghana approved a budget allocation of GH₵22.80 billion for the operations of the Ministry of Health (MoH) for the year ending December 31, 2026.
Allocation breakdown
Of the GH₵22.80 billion:
- GH₵16.25 billion (about 71.25%) is earmarked for compensation of employees.
- GH₵4.51 billion (about 19.79%) is allocated to goods and services.
- GH₵2.04 billion (about 8.96%) is set aside for capital expenditure.
In terms of funding sources: roughly 71.40% will come from the government of Ghana, 26.35% from the ministry’s internally generated funds, and about 2.25% from donor support (loans and grants).
Focus areas: Where the money goes
By sub-programme: the largest portion — 82.10% — is slated for health service delivery. Administration and management receive 10.34%, human resource development gets 4.62%, while health sector regulation accounts for 2.94% of the allocation.
According to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the budget excludes separate allocations for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (also known as “MahamaCares”). Taken together, the total health-sector allocation — including NHIS and the Trust Fund — brings the total to around GH₵34.22 billion.
What the government plans to do
The MoH says the budget will help complete and advance several ongoing infrastructure and health-service projects, including:
- Construction and equipping of new CHPS compounds/health centres nationwide
- Reconstruction of La General Hospital
- Continued work on the flagship Agenda 111 projects
- Rehabilitation of existing facilities such as the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital maternity block and the Juaboso Hospital
New investments will also begin in several new health infrastructure projects, including:
- Construction of 12 more CHPS compounds
- A psychiatric hospital
- A specialist hospital at Ajumako-Bisease
- Redevelopment of Ho Teaching Hospital
- A 500-bed paediatric hospital in Accra
- A new central medical stores facility
- District hospitals in Shama, Bole, Bawku, Akatsi and Sandema
According to the Minister, “no project will be abandoned.”
He also noted efforts to digitalize medical records, with a rollout of a new software — the Ghana Health Information Management System — across teaching hospitals to ensure patient data integrity and accessibility.
A health-centred 2026 budget
The MoH budget forms a core part of the broader 2026 national budget, which the government describes as “health-centred.” Overall health-sector funding — including operational, insurance, and special funds — is estimated at roughly GH₵34 billion.
Commenting on the health sector’s renewed focus, Minister Akandoh said the new funding would help expand access, strengthen infrastructure, and support efforts toward universal health coverage.
Significance and outlook
The approval of GH₵22.80 billion signals clear commitment by Ghana’s government to prioritize health operations, staff welfare, and expand infrastructure. For a sector that provides services to millions across the country, the budget could accelerate ongoing facility upgrades, increase access to care, and improve service delivery — especially if funds are managed transparently and efficiently.
The planned expansion of CHPS compounds, district and specialist hospitals, and retooling of primary-health facilities could improve access, especially in rural or underserved communities. Meanwhile, the government’s simultaneous support for NHIS and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund suggests a multi-pronged approach to both preventable and chronic diseases.
That said — as with previous large investments — much will depend on implementation, oversight, and ensuring that plans on paper become real on the ground. Citizens and stakeholders will be watching closely in 2026 to see if the allocation truly transforms Ghana’s healthcare delivery.