The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has issued a final warning to medical doctors who have refused postings to rural communities, stating that they will be removed from the government payroll by the end of February 2026.
He explained that a nationwide validation exercise will be conducted, and any doctor who fails to report to their assigned duty station will be struck off the payroll. The move is aimed at addressing severe staff shortages in underserved areas, which continue to affect healthcare delivery.
The Minister stressed that medical training in Ghana is heavily subsidized by the state—often funded through taxes from rural communities—and it is therefore unacceptable for doctors to refuse to serve in those same areas. He noted that nearly half of Ghana’s doctors are concentrated in Greater Accra, leaving many rural districts in a healthcare crisis.
Vacant positions created after the exercise will be reopened to qualified doctors willing to accept rural postings, while the government works with local authorities to improve accommodation and provide incentives.
