The Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Juaboso, Kwabena Minta Akandoh, has been subjected to public ridicule following recent comments regarding a “pay-as-you-go” recruitment model to absorb health workers.
The backlash comes after he justified the government’s cautious approach to recruiting health professionals, stating that employment decisions must be guided by the country’s financial capacity.
Speaking on Monday, April 13, during the Government Accountability Series, the Minister addressed journalists’ concerns regarding unemployment among trained health workers.
According to him, while vacancies exist within the health sector, the government cannot afford to recruit beyond what it can sustain financially.
“The truth of the matter is that we can only employ what we can pay. It is not as though we don’t have vacancies, but we have a country to govern at the end of the day,” he said.
He stressed that the government faces competing demands across multiple sectors, making it impossible to meet every request for funding and recruitment simultaneously.
The Minister noted that various ministries continue to push for resources to implement key programs, including healthcare initiatives, infrastructure development, and social interventions.
“If I go and sit in Cabinet and I say I need free primary healthcare, they will give it to me; I want to recruit health professionals, they will give it to me; I need Mahama Care, they will give it to me; I need a regional hospital, they will give it to me—but why am I the only ministry? No,” he explained.
Mr. Akandoh emphasized that governance requires difficult choices and prioritization, even when such decisions are unpopular. “At some point in time, we have a country to govern and that is the reality. You may not be happy with it, but I am sorry—that is the reality,” he added.
His remarks come amid growing calls from unemployed health professionals for increased recruitment into the public health system, alongside broader concerns about staffing gaps in healthcare facilities nationwide.
The Minister’s comments have sparked controversy, as the public is demanding the automatic posting system promised by President Mahama during the 2024 election campaign.
Critics argue that the Minister’s recent stance is in stark contradiction to the promises the NDC made to the Ghanaian people while in opposition.
By 1960news.com
