President John Dramani Mahama has called on health professionals in Ghana to accept postings to underserved and rural communities, saying that equitable health service delivery remains a priority for his administration. His appeal came during the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered in Parliament on Friday, February 27, 2026, where he outlined the government’s vision for strengthening the health sector.
In his address, President Mahama acknowledged the challenges that healthcare workers face when assigned to remote and hard-to-reach areas, including limited infrastructure, housing and social amenities. Despite these challenges, he emphasised the importance of serving in these communities as part of nation-building and improving health outcomes for all Ghanaians.
“Every Ghanaian deserves access to quality healthcare, whether they live in Accra or a remote village,” Mahama said. He urged doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to embrace opportunities in underserved regions, explaining that such postings play a vital role in reducing health inequities and ensuring that basic services reach every part of the country.
The president said that government is working to enhance conditions in rural health facilities by increasing investment in infrastructure, equipment and incentives that make such postings more attractive. He highlighted ongoing efforts to improve health centres, expand telemedicine services and offer additional allowances to personnel stationed in hard-to-serve areas.
Mahama also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for a strong and resilient health workforce throughout the country. He said that by encouraging health professionals to work across all regions, Ghana can build a system capable of responding to current needs and future emergencies.
Opposition lawmakers and health sector stakeholders welcomed the call but also urged the government to ensure that incentives and support systems are fully implemented. Some emphasised that fair compensation and continuous professional development opportunities are essential to encourage long-term commitment to rural postings.
Overall, the president’s message highlighted a key component of his administration’s health agenda, stressing that equitable distribution of healthcare workers is central to improving public health outcomes and achieving universal health coverage in Ghana.
