The government is set to launch a major reconstruction drive in the health sector next year, aiming to reverse years of stalled hospital projects and restore public trust in Ghana’s healthcare system. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced that construction of six new regional hospitals for the newly created regions will begin in 2026—an effort he described as crucial to rebuilding confidence in public health delivery.
Presenting the 2026 Budget to Parliament on Thursday, Dr Forson said three of the regional hospitals have already been cleared to commence next year, alongside new district hospitals at Bole and Shama. He stressed that completing long-delayed health projects is now a priority for government, noting that “health remains the heartbeat of national development.”
Dr Forson disclosed that several abandoned projects—some left idle for years—will finally see renewed activity. These include the La General Hospital, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Komfo Anokye Maternity Block, and the Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua. He added that 10 of the suspended Agenda 111 hospitals are expected to be completed in 2026.
“These projects symbolise our commitment to restoring trust and confidence in public healthcare delivery,” he said, emphasising that Ghanaians deserve functional, well-equipped facilities regardless of political transitions.
As part of efforts to strengthen specialised services, the government will also upgrade seven hospitals to improve maternal and child health care, particularly in underserved areas.
The Finance Minister also announced that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund—popularly known as MahamaCares—will become fully operational in 2026 under Act 1144 to provide sustained financing for the treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and kidney failure. The programme is designed to address the financial burden that forces many families to choose between treatment and survival.
“MahamaCares aims to ensure that all citizens receive the care they need regardless of income or location, in line with our national goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage,” he said.
In 2026, the initiative will introduce a detailed NCD financing policy, specifying eligible diseases, approved treatments, tariffs, and essential medicines to guarantee consistent, affordable care. Diagnostic and treatment centres will also be built in major hospitals through a public-private partnership to expand access to specialised testing and treatment.
Dr Forson said the 2026 budget—anchored on the theme “Resetting for Growth, Jobs and Economic Transformation”—marks a decisive turn toward modernising and expanding Ghana’s health infrastructure while correcting the legacy of abandoned projects.
