The Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has formally proposed that the government introduce targeted incentives to encourage health workers to accept postings to deprived communities across the country.
Mr. Acquah asserted that, over the years, the government has been deficient in investing in professionals assigned to rural Ghana or underserved areas. He stated that this lack of investment is directly responsible for depriving residents in these communities of access to professional healthcare from trained medical officers.
Consequently, he emphasised the critical need for state officials to implement deliberate policies that will make it attractive for medical professionals to accept postings anywhere in the nation.
“It is important for us to introduce deliberate policies to provide the needed support for medical professionals in deprived communities. If we cannot provide them with what we are giving those in the capital cities, let’s give them something that will make them stay in the rural areas,” the lawmaker stressed.
His call comes in response to alarming data released by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) indicating a massive failure-to-report rate among newly posted medical officers.
The GHS report, dated November 28, 2025, reveals a significant gap: out of the 463 medical officers allocated across the 16 regions, only 158 have reported to their posts, accounting for just 34% of the expected total. This data further shows that 305 doctors, or 66%, have yet to take up their assignments.
Responding to the figures, Mr. Acquah described the situation as alarming, cautioning that if it is not addressed immediately, it will severely hinder the access of Ghanaians in deprived areas to quality healthcare.
“These are doctors who have been posted but refused to report, and when I saw the data, I became alarmed and wondered what the residents will do. It is a major issue that needs immediate attention. We need to give special allowances and other benefits to doctors who accept postings to these areas,” he argued.
He highlighted that many doctors opt for private facilities over these underserved areas, which frequently lack basic amenities such as good roads, reliable electricity, water supply, and suitable accommodation. The MP also recalled a promise made by former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to roll out such an initiative if elected, suggesting the current administration should consider implementing it.
Mr. Acquah appealed to his colleague MPs to take a personal interest in supporting brilliant but needy students studying medicine from their respective areas. He proposed that they sign an undertaking with these students, committing them to return to their constituencies and serve after graduation.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
