By Daniel Bampoe
Concerns have been raised over the 2026 national budget, with critics arguing that the government has failed to prioritise the healthcare sector, even as public health challenges mount.
Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South and a member of Parliament’s Health Committee, has publicly criticised the government for what he describes as “misplaced priorities” in the budget allocation.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Agyemang noted that key pledges made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2024 elections—including the development of market clinics, deployment of mobile medical vans to rural communities, and the upgrading of senior high school sickbays into satellite clinics—have yet to see reflection in the 2025 and 2026 budgets.
“You’re in your second year of government, yet none of these initiatives has appeared in the budget,” he said.
Highlighting the sharp reduction in funds for nursing training—from GH₵770 million in 2025 to GH₵474 million in the 2026 projections—Dr. Agyemang called the cuts “dangerous” for the health workforce pipeline.
He also expressed concern over the lack of progress on the construction of two new nursing training institutions, which the government had pledged to build.
Dr. Agyemang further criticised the absence of other health sector reforms, including occupational health and safety measures, tax incentives for health professionals, and risk insurance for frontline workers.
He contrasted the declining health allocation with the government’s GH₵12 billion plan to procure presidential and military jets, arguing that resources appear to be prioritised away from pressing public health needs.
According to the MP, the health sector’s allocation in the 2026 budget amounts to less than 8 percent of the total budget—well below the 15 percent Abuja Declaration target.
He stressed that this level of funding is inadequate, particularly as the country faces escalating public health risks from illegal mining (galamsey) and its associated environmental and health consequences.
“If there is any sector that bears the brunt of galamsey, it is the health sector. This budget shows clearly that the government has lost its way when it comes to health prioritisation,” he said.
The criticism comes amid growing public discourse on the health sector, which stakeholders have long argued requires sustained investment and systemic reforms to address workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, and accessibility challenges, especially in rural areas.
