Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Accra (2026)

13/05/2026

I met with a delegation from York University at my office. The group highlighted York University’s growing focus on Africa, particularly given the continent’s youthful population and the emerging opportunities for academic exchange, innovation, and research collaboration.

Our discussions centred on the importance of creating stronger institutional linkages between Ghanaian and international universities. The University expressed its readiness to support partnerships that foster knowledge exchange, student engagement, and shared learning opportunities.

As a York University alumna with a longstanding relationship and personal history with the institution, the engagement was particularly meaningful to me. I recognised the importance of international collaboration and experiential learning, noting that direct engagements with diverse cultures and environments often leave a lasting impact beyond the classroom. I also reaffirmed Government’s openness to initiatives that create opportunities for young people, strengthen educational cooperation, and connect students across borders.

The meeting highlighted the value of educational partnerships in building meaningful global connections and preparing the next generation for an increasingly interconnected world.

12/05/2026

This summit reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and continental integration, while positioning the country as an active contributor to Africa’s digital and economic transformation agenda.

11/05/2026

I commend the leadership and staff of the DACF for their work and reaffirm Government’s commitment to continue to translate policy into tangible outcomes and deepen inclusive development across Ghana.

10/05/2026

Today, we recognise the strength, sacrifice, wisdom, and unconditional love of mothers across Ghana and around the world.

Mothers hold families, communities, and, in many cases, entire economies together. Their resilience and dedication continue to inspire.

As a government, we remain committed to improving the lives of women and mothers through deliberate interventions that promote empowerment, dignity, and opportunity. Through initiatives like the 24-hour markets and the Women’s Development Bank, we are working to create a more inclusive and supportive Ghana. We are also investing in skills training, apprenticeship programmes, access to finance, and the nationwide provision of free sanitary pads for schoolgirls.

On this special day, I acknowledge every mother, grandmother, guardian, and woman who plays a maternal role in the lives of others. Your love and service do not go unnoticed.

May God richly bless and strengthen you always.
Happy Mother’s Day.

08/05/2026

I officially opened the 2nd Africa Health Workforce Investment Forum in Accra, held under the theme “Africa’s Health Workforce: From Words to Action. Plan, Train, Retain.” The Forum, which brought together leaders, policymakers, development partners, and key stakeholders, was an affirmation that Africa’s health systems cannot be strengthened without deliberate investment in human capital.

While progress has been made in improving life expectancy, immunization coverage, maternal healthcare, and disease control, millions across the continent still face challenges relating to access, affordability, and quality of care. This underscores the importance of moving beyond policy declarations to decisive implementation.

I highlighted the significance of the Accra Reset Agenda, which seeks to place citizens at the centre of governance through resilient, equitable, and accountable systems. In the health sector, this means advancing true health sovereignty by building the capacity to define our health priorities, mobilize sustainable financing, train and retain health professionals, and strengthen institutions.

I also outlined key interventions being undertaken by Government, including the recent launch of Free Primary Healthcare to improve access to essential services and reduce financial barriers to care, as well as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) to support citizens living with chronic and high-cost illnesses. These initiatives are being complemented by investments in specialist care, medical equipment, and workforce development.

Recognizing that the strength of every health system depends on its workforce, I noted Government’s commitment to the training, recruitment, and equitable distribution of health professionals, including the authorization to recruit approximately 16,000 health workers this year. This reflects our belief that investing in health workers ultimately benefits national productivity, economic resilience, and human development.

I encouraged the Forum to continue fostering collaboration, innovation, and practical reform, and expressed confidence that the discussions in Accra would contribute to stronger planning, purposeful training, sustainable employment, and dignified retention of Africa’s health workforce.

07/05/2026

Government remains committed to a broader agenda to deliver comprehensive, equitable, and responsive healthcare to Ghanaians.

The visit was a reminder of our collective resolve to reduce the burden of disease, support vulnerable households, and build a healthcare system that reflects the values of care, dignity, and inclusion.

07/05/2026

I joined leaders, policymakers, innovators, financial institutions, and private sector actors at the 3i Africa Summit 2026, which focused on Innovation, Investment, and Impact. The summit was hosted by the Bank of Ghana, led by Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama.

Africa’s future will not be defined by how the continent is described, but by how effectively we organise, integrate, and build at scale. Ghana’s role as a gateway to Africa must therefore be measured by the strength of our systems and institutions, and by our ability to facilitate seamless business, trade, and innovation. I highlighted that economic sovereignty in today’s world increasingly depends on digital integration, particularly through systems that enable secure payments, trusted digital identity, harmonised regulation, and modern infrastructure.

I noted that while Africa has already demonstrated remarkable progress through mobile money, fintech, and digital identity systems, the next challenge is to scale these gains across borders. Through frameworks such as the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and platforms such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), Africa has an opportunity to reduce trade frictions, lower transaction costs, and strengthen intra-African commerce.

A key highlight of the summit was Ghana’s announcement that it would work with Rwanda, Zambia, and other partners to pilot a Continental Digital Trade Corridor. This initiative will focus on mobile money interoperability, mutual recognition of digital identity for cross-border KYC, and harmonised electronic invoicing, marking a practical step toward a truly integrated African digital economy.

I further stressed that investment in broadband infrastructure, cloud systems, and data sovereignty remains essential if Africa is to participate in the global digital economy on its own terms. As the world’s youngest continent, Africa possesses immense potential, and the systems we build today will determine the continent’s role in shaping the future of global digital growth.

This summit reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and continental integration, while positioning the country as an active contributor to Africa’s digital and economic transformation agenda.

05/05/2026

From the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Secretariat, I visited the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), led by Mr. Michael Harry Yamson, to review its operations. Since its establishment under Act 455 in 1994, the DACF has remained a critical instrument for driving grassroots development, supporting district assemblies, and reducing regional inequalities.

The engagement highlighted significant reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and impact. The Fund is now operating with a fully digital system, enabling timely transfers based on verified returns, and with 80% of allocations going directly to all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). A strengthened transparency framework, performance culture, and the use of KPIs are improving accountability, while organizational restructuring, including the creation of a Grants and Sustainability Unit and a Research Unit, is enhancing strategic decision-making.

The DACF also outlined ongoing efforts to address legacy challenges, including over 4,000 ongoing projects requiring substantial resources for completion, as well as new interventions such as the Community Partnership Fund to accelerate delivery. Recent allocations have supported the construction of CHPS compounds, classroom blocks, and boreholes, directly impacting livelihoods and access to essential services.

I spoke about the importance of equity in development, noting that national progress must deliberately bring all on board, including vulnerable groups and underserved communities. I encouraged the Fund to continue exploring innovative financing approaches, strengthen communication on its impact, and enhance tracking mechanisms to ensure the timely delivery of projects.

I commend the leadership and staff of the DACF for their work and reaffirm Government’s commitment to continue to translate policy into tangible outcomes and deepen inclusive development across Ghana.

05/05/2026

Earlier today, I undertook a working visit to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), a key government initiative aimed at strengthening universal healthcare delivery. The programme was established to address a critical gap identified during the development of the government’s manifesto: the heavy financial burden of non-communicable diseases, which are not fully covered under schemes such as the NHIS.

I was received by the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and the administrator of the Fund, Ms. Obuobia Darko-Opoku, who briefed me on the progress of the initiative. The MahamaCares programme complements the broader healthcare framework, which includes the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the introduction of free primary healthcare to address preventive and early-stage treatment needs.

The team has conducted extensive needs assessments across multiple health facilities, identifying significant gaps in specialized equipment, infrastructure, and human capacity. In response, the programme is being rolled out in phases, beginning with cancer treatment, supported by trained facilitators, partnerships with selected private facilities, and the integration of digital systems across major hospitals. The Fund also focuses on direct patient support, equipment provision, and capacity building for healthcare professionals.

I commended the team for their dedication and encouraged the sharing of impact stories to build public awareness and trust. I noted that healthcare in Ghana must be built on a system of layered care, which includes prevention, early intervention, and specialized treatment. We must continue to strengthen training, research, and technical expertise, including developing personnel capable of maintaining critical medical equipment.

Government remains committed to a broader agenda to deliver comprehensive, equitable, and responsive healthcare to Ghanaians.

The visit was a reminder of our collective resolve to reduce the burden of disease, support vulnerable households, and build a healthcare system that reflects the values of care, dignity, and inclusion.

02/05/2026

I commend the people of Effutu for their peace and harmony, which continue to provide a strong foundation for development. As we celebrate, we are reminded that progress is sustained by unity and collaboration. May the Aboakyer festival continue to grow from strength to strength.

02/05/2026

This morning, I joined the people of Effutu to celebrate Aboakyer 2026. This year’s celebration also marks the 30th anniversary of Oma Odefe Neenyi Ghartey VII, whose leadership remains an example for many.

The Aboakyer festival is a platform for rediscovering, preserving, and promoting identity. Government is therefore prioritizing investments in access roads, infrastructure, and cultural enterprises to position Effutu as a growing tourism hub capable of attracting visitors, creating jobs, and boosting local economic activity.

To that end, Government is still very committed to key national initiatives, including the Women’s Development Bank, which will expand access to finance for market women, fish processors, and small-scale entrepreneurs, for example. The 24-hour economy policy is being advanced, and preparations are underway for nationwide 24-hour markets. Government is also intensifying its focus on youth development, with programmes such as Adwumawura designed to support young people to transform their ideas into viable businesses. Strategic infrastructure projects, including the Kasoa–Winneba road, remain a priority, given their importance to regional economic transformation.

I commend the people of Effutu for their peace and harmony, which continue to provide a strong foundation for development. As we celebrate, we are reminded that progress is sustained by unity and collaboration. May the Aboakyer festival continue to grow from strength to strength.

Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

13/05/2026

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