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Ghana’s free primary healthcare policy: What it means for nutrition
Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) Programme, launched in April 2026, is one of the most significant health policy shifts in recent years. By removing user fees at the primary care level, it promises to bring essential services closer to communities, especially women and children. For nutrition, the potential is huge. But potential alone does not save lives. Implementation will determine impact.
A question many Ghanaians are rightly asking is: how does FPHC relate to the existing National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)? The FPHC is not a replacement for the NHIS, but a complementary intervention. At the primary level, at health centres and polyclinics, everything is free of charge, and no NHIS card is required. Only a Ghana Card or proof of residency is needed to access care. The NHIS will now redirect its focus toward secondary and tertiary care, including specialised treatments under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund. For referrals to districts, regional, or teaching hospitals, a valid NHIS card will still be required. In simple terms, FPHC fills the gap the NHIS left at the community level, extending care to those previously excluded because they lacked an insurance card or the means to pay.
What the Policy Covers
The FPHC Programme is designed to eliminate user fees at the primary healthcare level, covering services at Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, and polyclinics. For nutrition, the implications are direct and meaningful. The programme includes antenatal and postnatal care, pregnancy nutrition education, breastfeeding support, child feeding guidance, growth monitoring, immunisation, and non-communicable disease (NCD) screenings.
The rollout begins in 150 underserved districts with plans of nationwide expansion between 2026 and 2028. Over 350 container-based service points have been positioned in high-traffic areas such as markets and lorry parks, bringing services closer to communities. Every Ghanaian will be entitled to at least one free basic health screening per year.
Why This Matters for Nutrition
For too long, cost has been one of the biggest barriers keeping mothers from attending antenatal clinics, getting nutrition counselling, and having their children weighed and monitored. A mother in a remote village should not have to choose between feeding her family and seeking healthcare for her child. The stakes are significant. Nearly one in five Ghanaian children under five is stunted, and over a third of pregnant women are anaemic. These are not statistics from a distant past; they reflect what is happening today, in communities where financial barriers have long kept families from the care they need. This policy, if implemented effectively, removes that impossible choice.
Identifying malnutrition early gives children a far better chance of recovery and survival. A child identified as wasted or stunted at six months has a far better chance of recovery than one identified at two years. If implemented well, the FPHC Programme could significantly improve early detection and prevention of malnutrition.
The Question of Implementation
Public health analysts have raised legitimate questions about sustainable financing and whether Ghana’s already-stretched health workforce can deliver on these promises. The WHO Director-General praised the initiative and noted it brings Ghana closer to universal health coverage. But praise is not delivery. Expanding access without ensuring quality and consistency risks overpromising and underdelivering.
For the FPHC Programme to truly benefit nutrition, services must be reliably available in all implementing districts. Health workers must be equipped and supported to deliver nutrition care. Nutrition must be treated as a core service, not an add-on and progress must be tracked and publicly reported.
Nutrition advocates must watch this policy closely, push for nutrition services to be fully integrated into implementation, and hold leaders accountable for ensuring that the women and children who need these services most are reached.
Because in public health, success is not measured by policies launched, but by lives improved.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project
Businessman and politician Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has announced a change in his legal representation in the ongoing criminal case against him.
In a statement issued by him, Wontumi said he has appointed former Member of Parliament and lawyer, Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea, as his new lead defence counsel.
He explained that the decision was taken after careful consultation and is in line with his constitutional right to choose his own lawyer.
According to him, the change is intended to ensure that his defence is properly and effectively presented before the court in accordance with the law.
Wontumi expressed appreciation to his previous legal team for their work on the case, stressing that the decision to replace them should not be seen as a reflection of their competence or dedication.
He noted that he remains committed to defending himself through due process and insisted that, like every accused person, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He added that the prosecution carries the burden of proving the charges against him beyond reasonable doubt.
Wontumi further stated that his new lawyer will take steps to review the case file and handle all necessary applications and submissions to protect his right to a fair trial.
He called on the public and all parties involved to avoid speculation and allow the legal process to continue without interference.
He expressed confidence that the court process will be guided by the Constitution and the principles of justice and fairness.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, says President John Mahama’s decision to reduce the number of political appointees has saved the state millions of cedis in public spending.
Addressing journalists during the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Monday, June 15, 2026, Mr. Ofosu Kwakye said the current administration has reduced the number of political appointees from 355 under the previous government to 233.
According to him, the reduction has significantly lowered government expenditure on salaries, accommodation, official vehicles and other benefits provided to political appointees.
He explained that reports suggesting the current government is spending more on compensation despite having fewer appointees were inaccurate and failed to take into account salary adjustments approved for officials who served under the previous administration.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye noted that the salaries and conditions of service currently being enjoyed by President Mahama’s appointees were determined by a committee established under the previous government and not by the current administration.
He said former appointees under the Akufo-Addo administration had received salary top-ups and other payments based on recommendations made by the committee, adding that these additional payments were not reflected in some of the comparisons being made.
“The reduction has saved money, running into millions,” he stated.
The minister further indicated that President Mahama has not purchased new vehicles for many of his appointees, with some officials using their personal vehicles for official duties.
According to him, this has further reduced government expenditure and contributed to efforts to ensure prudent management of public resources.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye also criticised reports that suggested there was no financial benefit from reducing the number of appointees. He argued that such reports failed to seek clarification from government before publication and therefore did not present the full picture.
He maintained that when all costs associated with political appointments are considered, including salaries, accommodation, vehicles and other benefits, the current administration is spending less because it has fewer appointees.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye reiterated that the government’s decision to maintain a lean presidency forms part of efforts to reduce public expenditure while ensuring efficient governance.
By: Jacob Aggrey
