The Minority on the Health Committee has slammed the government for failing to prioritise healthcare in the country, following the allocation made for the health sector in the 2026 budget.
According to a member of Parliament’s Health Committee and MP for Abuakwa South, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, the government appears more interested in purchasing aircraft, while key campaign promises made by the NDC government ahead of the 2024 elections have not been reflected in the 2025 and 2026 budgets.
In a media interview, Dr. Agyemang noted that the 2026 budget offers little to support the health sector.
He argues that government’s funding choices point to “misplaced priorities,” particularly the sharp reduction in the nursing training allowance from GH₵770 million in 2025 to GH₵474 million in the 2026 projections.
He said the budget ignores several NDC manifesto promises, including market clinics, mobile medical vans for rural communities, and the upgrading of senior high school sickbays into satellite clinics.
“You’re in your second year of government, yet none of these has seen any expression in the budget,” he stated.
The MP further criticised the absence of occupational health and safety reforms, tax waivers for health professionals, and risk insurance for frontline workers – initiatives he said were boldly promised by the NDC.
Calling the cuts to nursing training funds “dangerous” for the health workforce pipeline, he also questioned why government has failed to show progress on its pledge to construct two new nursing training institutions.
Dr. Agyemang contrasted the declining health allocation with what he described as a massive GH₵12 billion plan to procure presidential and military jets, arguing that a country grappling with galamsey-induced health crises should be funnelling more investment into health infrastructure and services.Buy vitamins and supplements
“With the health sector receiving less than 8 percent of total allocation – far below the 15 percent Abuja target—this budget is unhealthy and a clear sign of misplaced priorities,” he stressed.
Dr. Agyemang further stressed that the heightened illegal mining activities demand that the government prioritize the country’s health sector.
