Only 2 of 25 Doctors Posted to Oti Region Report for Duty

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed grave concern over the low reporting rate of medical doctors posted to the Oti Region, revealing that only two out of 25 doctors deployed in 2025 have so far reported for duty.

Speaking during a working visit to the region, Mr Akandoh described the situation as worrying and called for collective action to address the challenge of health professionals refusing postings to rural and underserved areas.

“What we have realised is that we post health professionals here and nobody will come. In 2025, we posted about 25 medical doctors, and my checks indicate that only two have reported,” the minister said.

He stressed that the problem requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, Regional Ministers and local authorities, to develop sustainable solutions.

“A Member of Parliament, a Regional Minister, whoever you are, we must all put our heads together to find the solution,” he stated.

Mr Akandoh rejected claims that rural postings are meant to punish newly deployed doctors, insisting that such assignments are a necessary part of ensuring equitable access to healthcare nationwide.

“Since I took office as Minister responsible for the health sector, I have indicated that no health professional should see going to serve in rural areas as a punishment. For me, in my humble opinion, it’s a call to duty,” he said.

The minister further made it clear that the Ministry of Health will not alter postings outside the approved process, emphasizing that doctors must serve where vacancies exist.

“We are not going to change anybody’s posting. If you have been posted to Oti, you will go to Oti. That is where the government has a vacancy, and that is where you will go,” he said.

However, Mr Akandoh acknowledged that underlying factors such as poor living conditions contribute to the reluctance of health workers to accept rural postings. He called for introspection and targeted interventions to make such areas more attractive.

“We should also do an introspection of why people are not going and how to facilitate their stay, to attract more people and retain them in the region,” he noted.

As part of retention measures, the minister urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Oti Region to prioritise the provision of decent accommodation and incentives for health workers.

He also expressed concern about health data from the region, describing Oti as one of the most deprived regions in terms of key health indicators.

During the visit, Mr Akandoh inspected the proposed site for the construction of the Oti Regional Hospital and disclosed that the government has made budgetary provision for the construction of three new regional hospitals in 2026.

“In the 2026 budget, the government has made provision for the construction of three regional hospitals — Oti Region, Savannah Region and Western North Region,” he said.

According to the minister, Oti is among the first regions where construction will begin, subject to the completion of all land documentation and the resolution of any litigation issues.

“The processes will start when we have full documentation on the land, devoid of litigation. If you bring your documents tomorrow, you start your processes the next day. If you delay it, it’s your own issue,” he added.