Doctors Face Payroll Axe Over Rural Posting Refusal
Ghana’s Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has issued a stern warning to newly qualified doctors who have refused postings to rural areas: accept the assignments or risk being removed from the government payroll. The minister made the statement during a working visit to the University of Ghana College of Health Sciences at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, emphasizing the need for equitable healthcare delivery across the country.
The minister urged lecturers and medical trainers to encourage newly qualified doctors to accept postings across the country to help address critical staffing gaps in underserved communities. The warning comes amid alarming figures showing that regions in critical need of personnel, such as the Upper West and Upper East, recorded fewer doctors reporting to their designated stations.
The minister explained that despite several engagements and clear directives, some newly recruited doctors have failed to report to their assigned duty stations, especially in deprived districts. “I think we must put our heads together to find a solution to this problem. I agree that there are genuine concerns, but our education is highly subsidised, even for fee-paying students,” he said.
The Health Minister has given doctors a one-week ultimatum to report to their assigned stations, failing which they will be removed from the payroll. The directive is set to take effect on February 28, 2026, as authorities step up monitoring to ensure full compliance.
The Ghana Medical Association has expressed concern over the ministry’s rigid approach, citing security concerns and limited infrastructure in rural areas. The association is calling for genuine dialogue with medical unions to address the challenges faced by doctors in rural postings.
The government is determined to guarantee equitable access to healthcare for all citizens, and the minister’s warning is seen as a step towards achieving this goal.
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Author: Korkor Anumu
