The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is a Ghanaian government body established in 1996 as part of the Health Sector Reform of Ghana. The Health Service is under the Ministry of Health. The health service primarily administers the health services in Ghana provided by the government and implements government policies on healthcare. The current Director-General of the Health service is Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea who was appointed by President John Mahama in 2025 to replace Dr. Patrick Kuma-Abogye.
History The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is a Public Service body established under Act 525 of 1996 as required by the 1992 constitution. It is an autonomous Executive Agency responsible for implementation of national policies under the control of the Ghana Minister for Health through its governing Council - the Ghana Health Service Council.
The GHS continue to receive public funds and thus remain within the public sector. However, its employees are no longer part of the civil service, and GHS managers are no longer required to follow all civil service rules and procedures. The independence of the Ghana Health Service is designed primarily to ensure that staffs have a greater degree of managerial flexibility to carry out their responsibilities then would be possible if they remained wholly within the civil service.
Ghana Health Service does not include Teaching Hospitals, Private and Missinand Hospitals. The establishment of the Ghana Health Service was an essential part of the key strategies identified in the Ghana Health Sector Reform process, as outlined in the Medium Term Health Strategy (MTHS), which were necessary steps in establishing a more equitable, efficient, accessible and responsive health care system.
The reforms build on the reorganization of the MOH that began in 1993, was explicitly designed to set the scene for the establishment of the Ghana Health Service. The reforms also provide a sound organizational framework for the growing degree of managerial responsibility that has already been delegated to districts and hospitals. Themes that were central to the reorganization of 1993 remain important today for the Ghana Health Service: careful stewardship of resources, clear lines of responsibility and control, decentralization, and accountability for performance rather than inputs.
Mandate and objectivity GHS to provide and prudently manage comprehensive and accessible health service with special emphasis on primary health care at Ghana regional, district and sub-district levels in accordance with approved national policies. The objects of the Service are to:
Implement approved national policies for health delivery in Ghana. Increase access to good quality health services. Manage prudently resources available for the provision of the health services.
Functions For the purposes of achieving its objectives the GHS performs the following functions, amongst others:
Provide comprehensive health services at all levels in Ghana directly and by contracting out to other Ghana agencies. As part of this function, the GHS is:
Develop appropriate strategies and set technical guidelines to achieve Ghana national policy goals/objectives. Undertake management and administration of the overall Ghana health resources within the service. Promote healthy mode of living and good health habits by people in Ghana. Establish effective mechanism for disease surveillance, prevention and control in Ghana. Determine charges for Ghana health services with the approval of the Ghana Minister of Health. Provide in-service training and continuing education in Ghana. Perform any other functions relevant to the promotion, protection and restoration of health in Ghana.
Director-General Agyeman Badu Akosa (2002–2006) Caleb inkoom joseph (star) (2007–2012) Ebenezer Appiah Denkyia (2012–2017)*Anthony Nsiah-Asare (2017–2019) Patrick Kuma-Aboagye (2019–2025) Samuel Kaba Akoriyea (2025-present)
Executive Leadership Source:
Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea (Director General) Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah (Deputy Director General)
Divisional Directors
Noble Dr. Kennedy T.C. Brightson (Director, Family Health Division) Mr. Mustafa Adams Hamidu (Director, Finance Division) Mrs. Mabel Kisiwaah Asafo (Ag. Director, Health Promotion Dr. Ebo Hammond (Director, Health Administration) Peter Obiri-Yeboah, Esq. (Director, Human Resource) Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu (Director, Institutional Care Division) Mr. John Saben-Fosu (Director =, Internal Audit Division) Dr. Samuel Kwabena Boakye-Boateng (Director, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division) Dr. Franklin Aseidu-Bekoe (Director, Public Health Division) Dr. Abraham Rexford Oduro (Director, Research and Development Division) Mrs. Araba Kudiabor (Director, Supplies, Stores and Drugs Division)
Regional Directors Source: Dr. Akosua Agyeiwaa Owusu-Sarpong (Ahafo region) Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng (Ashanti region) Dr. Osei K. Afreh (Bono region) Dr. Marion Okoh-Owusu (Western region) Dr. (Mrs.) Alberta Adjebeng Biritwum-Nyarko (Centra region) Dr. Damien Punguyire (Eastern region) Dr. Robert Amesiya (Greater Accra region) Dr. Chrysantus Kubio (Northern region Dr. Godfred Kwabena Sarpong (North East region) Dr. Kofi Amo-Kodieh (Oti region) Dr. John Ekow-Otoo (Savannah region) Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari (Upper East region) Dr. Josephat Ana-Imwine Nyuzagl (Upper West region) Dr. Emmanuel Atsu-Dodor (Voltar region) Dr. (Med) Freeman Samson Samani (Bono East region) Dr. Paulina Clara Appiah (Western North region)
Council Members
Prof. Fred Newton Binka (Chairman) Simon Awog-Bandek (Secretary) Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea (Member) Dr. Amedi Kofi Micheal (Member) Akwasi Owusu-Mainu (Member) Dr. Belinda Afriyie Nimako (Member) Dela Kemevor (Member) Dr. Gina Teddy (Member) Dr. Munarawu Issahaque (Member) Franklin Owusu Ansah (Member) Hon. Richard Acheampong, MP (Member) Nana Ofori Ahenkan ll (Member)
Regional directorates The following are the directorates within the Ghana Health Service across the regions.
Ashanti Region Districts Asanti Akyem Sekyere West Sekyere East Offinso Obuasi Kwabre
Brong Ahafo Region Districts: Wenchi Techiman Tano South Tano North Tain Sunyani
Central Region
Districts Upper Denkyira Twifu-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira Twifo-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira Mfantseman Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Gomoa
Eastern Region
Districts:
Yilo Krobo West Akim Upper Manya Suhum Kraboa Coaltar New Juaben Municipal New Juaben Lower Manya
Greater Accra Region
Districts
Tema Municipal Ga West Ga East Ga South Weija/Gbawe Dangme West Dangme East Accra Metropolitan
Northern Region Districts
Zabzugu Tatale Yendi Savelugu Nanton Tolon Kumbungu Tamale Metropolitan Sagnarigu Karaga Gushegu Bimbilla Wulensi
Upper East
Districts Talensi Nabdam Navrongo Kassen-Nankana West Kassena-Nankana Builsa Talensi
Upper West
Districts
Wa West Wa Municipal Wa East Nadowli-Kaleo Sissala West Sissala East Nandom Jirapa Lawra Daffiama Bussie Issa (DBI) Lambussie
Volta Region
Districts South Tongu South Dayi North Tongu Nkwanta Krachi West Krachi East
Western Region Districts
Wassa-Amenfi West Wassa-Amenfi East Wassa West Wassa Amenfi East Shama Ahanta East Sefwi Wiawso
Divisions Source:
Family Health Division (FHD)
Health Promotion Division (HPD)
Human Resource Development Division (HRDD)
Internal Audit Division (IAD)
Policy, Planning, Monitering and Evaluation Division (PPME)
Research and Development Division (RDD)
Finance Division (FD)
Health Administration and Support Services Division (HASSD)
Institutiona Care Division (ICD)
Office of the Director General Division (ODGD)
Public Health Division (PHD)
Supply, Stores and Drugs Management Division (SSDMD)
Gender and Social Inclusion Unit
Disability-Inclusive Health Unit
Ghana Health Service Associations Health Information Technology Professionals Association, Ghana. (HITPAG)
HITPAG supports and promotes the productive, secure, and cost-effective use of state-of-the-art information technology and information management systems within the Ghana Health Service, including e-Learning applications, to further the goals and objectives of the service.
Ghana Medical Association (GMA)
The GMA is the official body representing medical doctors in Ghana. It promotes quality healthcare delivery, professional ethics, and the rights of medical practitioners across the country.
Ghana National Ambulance Service Association (GNASA)
GNASA support and promotes the professional growth and resource needs of ambulance and emergency medical workers in Ghana.
Mental Health Professionals Association (MHPA)
MHPA represents the psychologist, psychiatric nurses, and therapists, It focuses on promoting mental health awareness, advocacy, and professional development.
Ghana Public Health Association (GPHA)
GPHA is a leading advocate for health equity, disease prevention, and health promotion. It members include public health expert, policy makers and NGOs.
Ghana Health Informatic Association (GHIA)
GHIA promotes the use of digital health solutions and data science in healthcare. Its members includes IT Specialist, data analysts, and health systems developers.
Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA
GRNMA is the professional association representing nurses and midwives in Ghana. With over 50,000 members nation wide, it advocates tfor he professional development, welfare, and working conditions of its members.
Ghana Health andAllied Workers Union (GHAWU)
GHAWU focuses on ensuring fair labour practices and welfare support for all Allied health workers in Ghana's healthcare system.
Community Health NursesGroup (CHNG)
CHNG brings together community health professionals to advocate for rural healthcare, continuing education and outreach programs.
Ghana Medical Laboratory Professionals Association (GMLPA)
GMLPA champions the role of medical laboratory scientists diagnosis and public health. It provides capacity building and certification programs.
Ghana Midwives Association (GMA)
GMA empowers midwives through advocacy, training, and community based maternal health initiatives to reduce maternal mortality in Ghana.
Gender and Social Inclusive Unit The Gender and Social Inclusion Unit serves as the focal point for advancing equity and inclusion within Ghana's health system. They champion evidence-based approaches to ensure thar health services are accessible, inclusiv and responsive to the unique needs of all Ghananians regardless of gender, age, disability, socio-economic status, or geographic location.
Operating within the framework of Ghana's National Health Policy and aline with the Sustainable Development Goals, their mandate encompasses systematic integration of gender and social inclusion principles across all health interventions, from policy development to frontline service delivery.
Mission and Vision
Their mission and vision is to eliminate health disparities and ensure that Ghana's commitment to UHC reaches every citizen, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalise populations, through systematic gender main streaming and evidence-based social inclusion strategies.
Functions
Develop Policies and Tools Coordinate Gender Activities Promote Equal Oportunities Strengthen Data Systems Advocate for Reforms Train and Build Capacity Engage Communities Colaborate
Disability Inclusive-Health Unit