John Dramani Mahama Launches Free Universal Primary Healthcare

President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched a groundbreaking Free Universal Primary Health Care Policy aimed at transforming Ghana’s healthcare system and ensuring equitable access for all citizens.

The policy, which is being described as a major milestone in the country’s health sector, seeks to remove financial barriers and promote preventive care at the grassroots level.

In doing so, the quintessential Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the following:

1. Ultimately, ladies & gentlemen, this is not just about policy. It is about whether a Ghanaian can access care early, easily & without worrying about cost. This vision underscores a shift toward people-centered healthcare where affordability and accessibility are prioritized across all regions of the country.
2. Our UHC service coverage index now stands at about 56%, and we need to hit a target of 80% by 2030. Only about two-thirds of the population is actively enrolled in the NHIS. That means a significant proportion of our population still faces financial barriers at the point of care. This gap highlights the urgent need for reforms to expand enrollment and strengthen coverage under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
3. Out-of-pocket payments still account for roughly one-third of total health expenditure. In practical terms, this means many families are still paying out of pocket before they can receive care and run the risk of catastrophic expenditure, which can push households into poverty.
4. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the danger. When people have to pay, they delay. They wait. They try to manage symptoms at home. And by the time they come to the facility, the condition often worsens. This delay often leads to increased complications and higher treatment costs.
5. Indeed, data from a nationwide survey covering about 60% of our health facilities showed that only 5% had the full complement of basic equipment. It is even worse for our public health facilities – only 2% had all the basic equipment that was checked in the assessment. This points to systemic challenges in infrastructure and resource allocation within the healthcare system.
6. So when we bring these realities together—financial barriers, low awareness, late detection, and system gaps—the conclusion is clear: The issue is not only access. It is timely access, equitable access, and preventive care. And that is exactly what UFPHC is designed to address by strengthening early intervention strategies.
7. But as I said earlier, this policy does not rely only on facilities. It brings care into communities. Through structured outreach programmes, health workers will conduct home visits, organise screening activities, visit schools, and carry out CHCs, ensuring that even remote and underserved populations receive essential healthcare services.
8. So the big question is, what is changing? What is changing is that care will no longer depend on when you become seriously ill. Instead, care begins earlier. Screening becomes routine. Health workers engage communities proactively. And the system shifts from reacting to illness to preventing it, which is a hallmark of sustainable healthcare systems globally.
9. Ladies & gentlemen, these investments are part of a broader effort to equip frontline facilities—especially CHPS compounds and health centres—with tools they need to provide timely, quality care. It’s a clear demonstration that this policy is backed not just by commitment, but by real resources, careful planning, and a determination to ensure that every Ghanaian can access effective UPHC.
10. To the people of Ghana, my message is simple: Please use the services (and use them responsibly). Go early. Get screened. Because this system is built for you. It is built for us. This call to action emphasizes public participation as a critical component of the policy’s success.