All medical doctors who have refused postings to rural communities will be removed from the government payroll by the end of February 2026, according to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

He said the measure is part of efforts by the Ministry of Health to tackle the ongoing shortage of health professionals in underserved parts of the country.

According to him, the government is determined to guarantee equitable access to healthcare for all citizens.

The minister explained that despite several engagements and clear directives, some newly recruited doctors have failed to report to their assigned duty stations, especially in deprived districts.

Mintah Akandoh issues one-week ultimatum to newly posted doctors to report to work

He indicated that such conduct weakens national efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.

“It’s just not fair that you are being paid and you have refused to go to your postings. It will be strictly enforced although with the help of some of the district directors and community leaders, some are resuming post. But there are others who have refused to and so they will be taken off,” he noted in an interview with TV3 on February 20, 2026.

The directive is set to take effect on February 28, 2026, as authorities step up monitoring to ensure full compliance.

The minister of Health in December 2025 expressed concern over the refusal of newly posted doctors to report to their duty stations.

The minister's statement came amid alarming figures showing that regions in critical need of personnel, such as the Upper West and Upper East, recorded fewer doctors reporting to their designated stations.

Watch the interview below:

All medical doctors who have refused postings to rural communities will be removed from the payroll by the end of February 2026. - Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/X9sDECdfgw

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 20, 2026