Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has dismissed suggestions that the Mahama administration made no significant contributions to the health sector, citing major infrastructure projects and job creation for health professionals during its tenure.
According to her, the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery was evident through the construction and operationalisation of several hospitals, which created opportunities for thousands of nurses and midwives.
“At the end of 2016, we had absorbed all the waiting nurses because of the hospital infrastructure that was started, completed and operationalised,” she stated.
Highlighting landmark projects, Shamima pointed to the University of Ghana Medical Centre, describing it as a pioneering facility in the sub-region. “The University of Ghana Medical Centre is the first quaternary hospital in West Africa. It was completed under John Mahama in his first term in office, which ensured the recruitment of nurses,” she said.
She also referenced the expansion of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, which faced criticism at the time. “The Greater Accra Regional Hospital was expanded by John Mahama in his first term. During the expansion project, people said it was all propaganda. The infrastructure in the Green Book was reduced to propaganda. But these are the health facilities across the country, including CHPS compounds and district hospitals, that ensured the absorption of nurses,” Shamima added.
Providing recent data on recruitment, she revealed that thousands of health professionals had been engaged in the last six months. “In six months, 10,000 nurses and midwives have been employed, as the Health Minister announced. Salary arrears for over 321 pharmacy house officers were paid. About 1,621 pharmacists are going through their final stages for recruitment. Thirteen countries have shown interest in Ghana in terms of working with us to employ our healthcare workers,” she disclosed.
Shamima stressed that these achievements underscore the Mahama government’s long-term vision for healthcare, which continues to impact the sector positively.
