The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has called for a break from aid dependency, urging African countries to treat healthcare as a national security and economic priority driven by domestic investment and strong health workforces.

Addressing participants at the 2026 Annual Health Summit hosted by the Ministry of Health, the Vice President underscored the importance of strengthening Ghana’s health workforce through strategic recruitment, equitable deployment, and improved retention.

She highlighted the need for stronger cross-sector collaboration to create enabling conditions that attract and retain health workers, particularly in underserved communities, while promoting structured labour migration arrangements that safeguard Ghana’s health system.

Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, outlined measures being implemented to strengthen the health workforce, including the recruitment of additional health professionals, expansion of specialist and post-basic training programmes, and improved deployment to underserved communities.

He noted that government is taking deliberate steps to address workforce gaps, enhance skills development, and ensure a more equitable distribution of health personnel to support quality healthcare delivery nationwide.

The Minister stated that Ghana’s health workforce remains the backbone of the country’s health system and emphasized the need to invest not only in numbers but also in skills, professionalism, motivation, and retention.

“People, not buildings, transform investments into results,” the Minister said, emphasizing that a resilient, motivated, and well-distributed health workforce remains central to achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving health outcomes for all Ghanaians.

This year’s summit is anchored on the theme: “Building a Resilient Health Workforce to Accelerate the Attainment of Universal Health Coverage.”

The summit drew participants from development partners, heads of agencies under the Ministry of Health, the Parliamentary Health Committee, and Health professional regulatory bodies.

The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has announced heightened security and flood prevention measures across the region as authorities prepare for the peak of the rainy season and the upcoming Homowo Festival.

The decision was taken following an emergency meeting of the Council chaired by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo.

According to a statement issued by the Regional Coordinating Council, the Council has adopted a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing the risk of flooding and ensuring public safety during the festive period.

The statement said intelligence gathered with support from the National Intelligence Bureau identified several flood-prone areas that require urgent attention.

Among the critical risk areas identified are Odawna Sahara and Adabraka Official Town in the Korle Klottey Municipality.

Other high-risk locations include Alajo Central, Berlin Bridge, parts of Madina, Osu Alata, Osu Doku and the Abelemkpe Methodist Church area.

The Council also listed sections of Weija-Gbawe, Ga West and Ga East as areas that will be closely monitored during the rainy season.

As part of the measures, the Regional Minister has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to immediately intensify sanitation and drainage clearance activities.

The statement said task forces have been ordered to remove silt, debris and waste from major drains and waterways to improve water flow and reduce flooding.

REGSEC announced enhanced security operations ahead of the Homowo Festival.

According to the statement, security agencies will increase patrols and surveillance in areas where large crowds are expected to gather.

The Council said the measures are intended to prevent potential disturbances that may arise from chieftaincy disputes or land-related conflicts during the celebrations.

In addition, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has identified safe locations for residents who may need to be evacuated from flood-prone communities.

The agency has been directed to remain on standby to respond quickly to emergencies.

“The safety and well-being of our citizens remain our foremost priority,” the Regional Minister said in the statement.

She assured residents that government agencies, security services, NADMO and other stakeholders are fully prepared to respond to any emergency situation.

Mrs. Ocloo appealed to residents to cooperate with authorities, observe safety precautions and report emergencies through the appropriate channels.

The Regional Security Council said it remains committed to maintaining law and order while protecting lives and property throughout the rainy season and during the Homowo festivities.

By: Jacob Aggrey