Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to releasing funds promptly for essential health services.
He emphasized that timely support for the health sector is crucial to safeguarding the well-being of Ghanaians and boosting national productivity.
He gave the assurance during a meeting with the CEO of the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiatives (GAVI), Dr. Sania Nishtar, at the Ministry of Finance.
“The government’s dedication to the health sector remains unwavering. That’s why we have uncapped the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), resulting in the release of GHS30 billion to support the sector,” Hon. Nyarko stated.
Looking ahead, the Deputy Minister highlighted Ghana’s preparation to transition from GAVI support by 2030. He stressed the government’s resolve to position Ghana as a pharmaceutical hub within the West African sub-region.
“With the pharmaceutical hub supported by GAVI, we aim to create jobs and add value to local resources. This will be a major boost for the Ghanaian economy,” he added.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who was also at the meeting, commended GAVI for its leadership. He praised the alliance’s role in strengthening Ghana’s immunization programme, noting that Ghana currently leads the sub-region in vaccination coverage.
Dr. Sania Nishtar applauded the government’s focus on healthcare. She described Ghana’s vaccine rollout as a trust-based system that has encouraged greater access, especially among women.
She expressed hope that funding would continue without delays and pledged GAVI’s full support during the transition period.
