The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called on the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to play a leading role in advancing the government’s Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) programme, describing the faith-based health network as a vital partner in expanding access to quality healthcare services across the country.
Speaking at the CHAG Annual Conference 2026, held under the theme “Positioning CHAG to Deliver People-Centred Free Primary Health Care at the Community Level,” the Minister commended the Association for its longstanding contribution to healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
According to Hon. Akandoh, CHAG’s extensive network of health facilities and its strong relationship with local communities place it in a unique position to support the successful implementation of the government’s flagship healthcare initiative.
He explained that the Free Primary Healthcare policy is designed to improve access to essential health services, including maternal and child healthcare, immunisation, malaria treatment, routine screening for Non-Communicable Diseases, and other critical interventions.
The Minister also underscored the importance of delivering healthcare with compassion and empathy, urging health professionals to combine clinical excellence with respect and dignity in their interactions with patients.
“Patients often feel treated, but not always cared for,” he remarked, stressing that the success of healthcare reforms depends not only on the availability of services but also on the quality of patient experience.
Hon. Akandoh further encouraged stakeholders within the health sector to embrace a people-centred approach that prioritises the needs and well-being of patients at all levels of care.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of CHAG, Dr. Peter Kwame Yeboah, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting national health priorities and strengthening primary healthcare delivery throughout Ghana.
He noted that CHAG continues to provide critical healthcare services in some of the country’s most remote and underserved communities, often serving as the sole provider of healthcare in those areas.
Dr. Yeboah called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, faith-based organisations and local communities to foster innovation, expand healthcare access and improve health outcomes nationwide.
He expressed confidence that sustained partnerships would help accelerate progress toward universal health coverage and ensure that quality healthcare services reach every Ghanaian, regardless of location.
The 2026 CHAG Annual Conference seeks to align the Association’s mission with Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative while contributing to broader discussions on people-centred and community-led healthcare, in line with the focus of the 2026 World Health Summit Regional Meeting.
