Recognizing Leadership: The Contributions of Ghana's Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh

The Honorable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Member of Parliament for the Juaboso Constituency in the Western North Region and a representative of the National Democratic Congress, has encountered unwarranted criticism since he entered Ghana's Parliament. Nevertheless, this young legislator continues to thrive, embodying the adage that "whom the Lord has blessed, no one can curse."

This emerging politician has exerted considerable influence at both the national and constituency levels. However, individuals who are overly aligned with party ideologies frequently criticize him, despite his dedicated efforts to serve both his country and his constituency effectively.

Recently, he garnered attention for shaking hands with Ralph Saint Williams, who had been involved in an altercation at Ridge Hospital with some nurses. A significant portion of the Ghanaian populace is expressing discontent with his actions due to his decision to shake hands with Ralph Williams, also known as Fellow Ghanaians.

It is unreasonable to expect the Minister to overlook Mr. Williams when he approached and extended his hand for a greeting. No principled public servant would decline an opportunity for reconciliation when it is presented.

Ghanaians need to recognize the significant contributions of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, a dedicated public servant with a strong foundation in mathematics, law, and health systems management, during his tenure as Minister of Health.

Before becoming the Minister of Health, there were serious challenges such as delayed allowances, inadequate logistics, and poor working conditions facing the health ministry. Now all these challenges have become a thing of the past.

Upon assuming office, he prioritised addressing the disparity in healthcare services between urban and rural areas. He committed to implementing a policy whereby nurses who accept assignments in underserved communities would receive an additional stipend of 20% on top of their base salary. This initiative aims to ensure that residents in economically disadvantaged regions have access to equitable healthcare services comparable to those available in metropolitan areas.

It is essential to highlight that, under the oversight of KMA, all outstanding National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims, amounting to GHS 603 million as of December 2024, have been fully addressed.

In an effort to mitigate the challenges faced by Ghanaians, the Minister has urged pharmaceutical companies within the country to leverage government policies aimed at enhancing their manufacturing capacities to meet domestic demand. He outlined several key policies, including the promotion of local pharmaceutical manufacturing to decrease reliance on imports, the strategic positioning of Ghana as a pharmaceutical hub in West Africa through targeted investment incentives and regulatory reforms, and the establishment of a pharmaceutical research institute to foster scientific research and ensure quality assurance.

The Honorable Akandoh will be recognized in Ghana's history as the inaugural Minister to establish a 24-hour call center for a health training institution. Before his tenure as Minister of Health, the entrance fees for nursing training institutes were prohibitively high, presenting significant barriers for low-income individuals. However, this innovative Minister successfully implemented cost reductions, thereby enhancing accessibility for all families. As Minister of Health, he significantly lowered the application form fees for health training institutes nationwide, reducing them from GHS200 to GHS150.

Since 2013, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has served as the Member of Parliament for the Juaboso constituency, demonstrating exemplary leadership and advocacy for improved health policy and socioeconomic development within his region and throughout Ghana. As a Member of Parliament, he has successfully established over twelve Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) facilities to serve his constituents. It is worth considering what further actions critics expect from this dedicated young Minister. With the necessary support and encouragement, Mr. Akandoh is poised to achieve more for Ghana than his predecessors in the role of Minister of Health.

Hon. Akandoh, I encourage you to keep up your remarkable efforts; your contributions are making a meaningful impact, and history will look back on them with great appreciation. Here's my perspective on him. I understand that perspectives can vary, and it's okay to feel differently.

By Kwame Aduhene-Kwarteng (PhD, MA)