President John Dramani Mahama has declared a zero-tolerance stance on the long-standing “no bed syndrome”, insisting that every Ghanaian who seeks medical attention must be attended to.

Speaking during the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Friday, 27 February, he outlined immediate directives and long-term infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery nationwide.

The President announced that the Ministry of Health will issue new guidelines to ensure that patients facing medical emergencies are received and treated, even under makeshift conditions where necessary.

“You don’t need to have a comfortable bed to save a patient,” he said. “No patient must be turned away from any health facility they report to.”

While interim measures will prioritise emergency care, President Mahama also highlighted plans to expand healthcare capacity through major construction and rehabilitation projects across the country.

Key Health Infrastructure Projects

Greater Accra Region: Implementation of the Ridge Hospital Phase Two Project to increase bed capacity at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.

Ongoing National Projects: Completion of the Police Hospital Project and the La General Hospital.

Ashanti Region: Completion of the Serwaa Regional Hospital, Afari Military Hospital, and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Children’s Block.

By linking stricter emergency response protocols with hospital expansion, President Mahama said his administration is determined to create a healthcare system where no citizen is denied care, regardless of time, location or the severity of the emergency.

He reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring timely access to medical treatment for all Ghanaians.

Background

The President’s directive follows a widely reported incident on Friday, 6 February 2026, when a victim of a hit-and-run accident at the Nkrumah Circle Overpass in Accra was reportedly refused emergency care by three major hospitals due to the absence of vacant beds.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from the National Ambulance Service received a walk-in call at about 10:32 pm to attend to a road traffic crash at the Circle Overpass. They mobilised within three minutes and arrived at the scene by 10:35 pm.

From then until approximately 12:50 am, EMT personnel reportedly negotiated with three hospitals to either admit the victim or provide treatment in the ambulance. The efforts were unsuccessful, and the victim died.

He was later identified as 29-year-old Charles Amissah, an engineer with Promasidor Ghana Limited at the North Industrial Area in Accra, producers of Cowbell milk and other food products.