Ghana Allocates GH¢40.3 Billion to Health Ministry, with GH¢12.8 Billion for NHIS and MahamaCares

The government has allocated GH¢40.3 billion to the Ministry of Health in the 2027 Budget, directing substantial funding toward hospital infrastructure, healthcare financing, emergency response, and the health workforce, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced.

Presenting the 2027 Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, Dr. Forson said the allocation was intended to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to medical services across the country .

Healthcare Financing: GH¢12.8 Billion for NHIS and MahamaCares

The largest single component of the allocation is healthcare financing. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will receive GH¢10.2 billion to support its operations and strengthen access for beneficiaries. An additional GH¢2.6 billion has been allocated to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, which is designed to support treatment for people with serious medical conditions .

Hospital Infrastructure: GH¢6.8 Billion for New Facilities

A significant portion of the budget—GH¢6.8 billion—has been earmarked to commence construction on a suite of new facilities: two specialist hospitals, six regional hospitals, a new mother and child centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and two district hospitals .

A further GH¢1 billion will support the completion of the Eastern and Western Regional Hospitals, while another GH¢1 billion has been allocated toward completing 35 district hospitals under the Agenda 111 programme. The Agenda 111 project, launched in 2020, originally envisioned 101 district hospitals, seven regional hospitals, and two psychiatric hospitals, but has faced significant delays. The government announced a phased approach in July 2026, prioritising 35 facilities based on completion levels and regional need .

The La General Hospital will receive GH¢60 million toward its completion .

Emergency Response and Maternal Health

The government has allocated GH¢200 million for the procurement of ambulances to strengthen emergency medical response, and GH¢100 million for the procurement of life-saving childhood and maternal vaccines .

A further GH¢275 million has been set aside for the Obstetrics Emergencies and Maternal and Child Health Project, targeting improvements in care for pregnant women, mothers, and children .

Mental Health and Digital Health

Psychiatric hospitals across the country will receive GH¢70 million, while GH¢20 million has been earmarked to operationalise the Mental Health Fund . The e-Health Project will receive GH¢11 million to advance digital systems in healthcare delivery .

Health Workforce Development

For the training of the next generation of health workers, GH¢40 million has been allocated for the construction of two nursing training colleges, with GH¢434 million earmarked for nursing trainee allowances .

As Parliament begins deliberations on the budget, the government's challenge will be translating these allocations into delivered infrastructure and services—particularly the Agenda 111 facilities that have languished for years, and the NHIS funding that underpins healthcare access for millions of Ghanaians.