The Ministry of Health has acknowledged that the growing refusal of doctors to accept postings to deprived areas in Ghana has become a serious concern, particularly in regions like Upper West and Upper East, where healthcare delivery is under increasing strain.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM's Midday News on Thursday, March 18, spokesperson for the Ministry, Tony Goodman, admitted the challenge, noting that the government is intensifying efforts to address the situation through stakeholder engagement and targeted incentives.

“It’s serious. That is why this time around, we have taken it upon ourselves to go to the various regions, engage stakeholders, and see how best we can address this,” he said.

His comments come amid reports that no doctor has reported for duty in parts of the Upper West Region despite postings, while over 400 health personnel are said to have left the area, with only about 30 replacements so far.

Mr. Goodman, however, indicated that some progress is being made nationwide, revealing that over 300 health workers have already reported to their designated posts and are receiving salaries.

“This is a departure from what we had in the past. The kind of numbers we are seeing now has not happened before in the history of postings,” he stated.

Despite this, concerns remain acute in deprived regions. In the Upper East Region, only a handful of doctors—about six—have reportedly taken up their positions, highlighting the uneven distribution of healthcare professionals across the country.

To tackle the issue, the Ministry says it is collaborating with key stakeholders, including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, and regional ministers.

Among the interventions being rolled out are improved accommodation arrangements, mentorship programmes, and incentives tied to career progression.

“We understand that officers want mentorship, they want remuneration, and they want accommodation. Some MCEs have provided two-bedroom facilities, and MPs are also stepping in to support,” Mr. Goodman explained.

He added that the Ghana Medical Association has identified senior professionals across the country to mentor newly posted doctors, especially those assigned to remote areas.

Additionally, the Ministry is offering incentives such as opportunities for postgraduate training after serving in deprived communities for a minimum period.

“If you serve for less than two years in these areas, you may have the opportunity to return to college for postgraduate training. These are some of the measures we believe will motivate them,” he said.

However, the Ministry acknowledges that the impact of these interventions may not be immediate, stressing that deploying health professionals to underserved areas cannot be forced.

“These are human beings. You can’t just carry them and put them in places. We are engaging them and putting in place measures that will encourage them to go,” Mr. Goodman noted.