The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed deep concern over the refusal of medical doctors to accept postings to rural and underserved areas, particularly in the Oti Region.

Speaking during a working visit to the region, the minister revealed that although 25 medical doctors were posted to Oti in 2025, only two have so far reported for duty.

“What we have realised is that we post health professionals here and nobody will come. In 2025, we posted about 25 medical doctors, and my checks indicate that only two have reported,” Mr Akandoh said.

He described the situation as worrying and called on all stakeholders to help find lasting solutions.

“A Member of Parliament, a Regional Minister, whoever you are, we must all put our heads together to find the solution,” he stated.

The minister rejected claims that newly deployed doctors are being punished through postings to rural districts, insisting that such deployments are necessary to ensure equitable access to healthcare across the country.

“Since I took office as Minister responsible for the health sector, I have indicated that no health professional should see going to serve in rural areas as a punishment. For me, in my humble opinion, it’s a call to duty,” he said.

Mr Akandoh made it clear that the Ministry of Health will not change postings outside the approved process, stressing that doctors must serve where vacancies exist.

“We are not going to change anybody’s posting. If you have been posted to Oti, you will go to Oti. That is where the government has a vacancy, and that is where you will go.”

However, he acknowledged the need to address the underlying reasons health workers are reluctant to accept rural postings, calling for improved living conditions and incentives to make such areas more attractive.

“We should also do an introspection of why people are not going and how to facilitate their stay, to attract more people and retain them in the region,” he explained.

As part of efforts to retain health professionals, the minister urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Oti Region to provide decent accommodation and incentives for health workers.

Mr Akandoh also raised concerns about health data from the region, noting that Oti remains one of the most deprived areas in terms of key health indicators.

During the visit, he inspected the proposed site for the construction of the Oti Regional Hospital and disclosed that the government has made budgetary provision for the construction of three new regional hospitals in 2026.

“In the 2026 budget, the government has made provision for the construction of three regional hospitals, Oti Region, Savannah Region, and Western North Region,” he said.

According to the minister, Oti is among the first regions where construction will commence, subject to the completion of all land documentation and the resolution of any litigation issues.

“The processes will start when we have full documentation on the land, devoid of litigation. If you bring your documents tomorrow, you start your processes the next day. If you delay it, it’s your own issue,” he added.