The Ghana Medical and Health Awards has opened nominations for its third edition, offering healthcare professionals across the country a chance to be recognized for their contributions to a sector that’s fighting to deliver quality care despite chronic underfunding. The nomination window, which runs from October 5 through December 10, comes as Ghana’s health system grapples with significant challenges that make celebrating excellence more important than ever.
Organized by Apex Africa Concept, the 2026 awards ceremony will honor individuals, institutions, and initiatives that have made exceptional contributions to healthcare delivery and public health advancement. Categories span doctors, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, laboratory scientists, health administrators, public health advocates, and community health initiatives, recognizing the breadth of talent keeping Ghana’s health system functioning.
The public and healthcare stakeholders can submit nominations through apexafricaconcept.com before the December deadline. Winners will be selected through what organizers describe as a comprehensive, merit-based process, with the awards ceremony scheduled for 2026.
It’s worth putting this recognition effort into context. Ghana’s healthcare sector faces serious structural challenges that make honoring excellence particularly meaningful right now. The 2025 national budget allocates only 6.32 percent of total spending to health, falling far short of the Abuja Declaration’s 15 percent commitment that African Union member states pledged in 2001.
Compensation for health workers consumes 74 percent of Ghana’s health budget, leaving only 6 percent for capital expenditure, which means limited investment in infrastructure improvements. The government announced a recruitment freeze in the 2025 budget, a decision with serious implications for human resources in a sector already struggling to meet recommended nurse-to-patient and doctor-to-patient ratios.
Ghana has approximately 4,300 doctors and 68,000 nurses serving a population of over 30 million, numbers that highlight the workload healthcare professionals carry. The country’s health infrastructure includes over 91 public hospitals and more than 200 private facilities, but distribution remains heavily skewed toward urban areas.
Healthcare worker migration presents another challenge. The nurse-to-population ratio has declined primarily due to migration abroad in search of better opportunities, along with a backlog of trained nurses yet to be employed despite increasing demand. These aren’t just statistics but real people whose absence affects service delivery, particularly in rural communities.
Patient safety challenges in Ghana include inadequate healthcare infrastructure, workforce shortages, medication errors, hospital-acquired infections, and poor reporting and monitoring systems, according to recent research. Limited public awareness and weak regulatory enforcement exacerbate these risks, making the work of exceptional healthcare professionals all the more vital.
Yet there are bright spots. Ghana achieved a 97 percent reduction in malaria deaths over the past decade, demonstrating what’s possible when programs receive sustained attention and resources. The country has made strides in expanding access to health services, even if quality concerns persist.
About 69 percent of Ghana’s population is covered by either the National Health Insurance Scheme or private health insurance, with higher coverage for females at 73 percent compared to males at 65 percent. Coverage varies significantly by region, from a low of 52 percent in Oti Region to a high of 86 percent in the Upper East Region.
The National Health Insurance Scheme, introduced in 2003, provides coverage for limited health issues, primarily treatment against the most prevalent diseases like malaria. However, an estimated 36 percent of healthcare expenditures are wasted due to inefficiencies and financial misappropriation, according to research on Ghana’s health system. With appropriate financial management, the government could theoretically save enough to employ approximately 23,000 nurses.
Ghana relies on imports for approximately 85 percent of its total healthcare consumption, with very limited local production of pharmaceuticals and even less manufacturing of medical equipment and devices. This dependency makes the health system vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and currency fluctuations.
The awards organizers say the initiative seeks to acknowledge “the everyday heroes of Ghana’s health sector whose service, innovation, and commitment have positively transformed lives and strengthened healthcare delivery systems.” That language might sound promotional, but it reflects genuine appreciation in a sector where recognition often comes second to firefighting crises.
Ghana’s healthcare system operates as a decentralized, mixed delivery model comprising public, private, and faith-based providers. The Ministry of Health oversees policy while the Ghana Health Service implements programs through a three-tiered system: primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Community-based health planning and services compounds, district hospitals, and teaching hospitals form the backbone of service delivery.
Urban centers are well served, hosting most hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in the country. Rural areas often have limited modern healthcare services, forcing patients to rely on traditional African medicine or travel significant distances for care. This geographic disparity means healthcare professionals working in underserved areas face particularly challenging conditions.
There’s growing middle-class preference for private health facilities, which clients value for quality and convenience. Ghana’s medical device market is projected to reach $111 million by 2026, reflecting increasing private sector participation. The most dynamic growth and exciting opportunities are found in privately funded hospitals and clinics, though this creates a two-tier system where ability to pay determines care quality.
The SafeCare Quality Improvement programme, launched in 2009 by PharmAccess Foundation, has enrolled over 600 private and public healthcare facilities and is being adopted for nationwide rollout. The government recognized SafeCare’s contribution to healthcare financing in the 2024 budget statement, highlighting how partnerships can support system improvements.
Mental health remains critically underfunded, with no concrete budgetary commitment for expanding services beyond the three major psychiatric facilities in Accra and the central region. This gap affects vulnerable populations who often have nowhere to turn for specialized care.
For healthcare professionals considering whether to submit nominations or recommend colleagues, the awards represent more than just recognition. They’re an opportunity to shine a light on innovation and dedication that often goes unnoticed. In a sector facing brain drain, limited resources, and infrastructure challenges, celebrating those who stay and excel sends an important message.
Interested parties can reach organizers at 059 822 5556 or through the awards’ social media pages at @GhanaMedicalAndHealthAwards. The comprehensive selection process promises fairness and merit-based recognition, though specifics about judging criteria haven’t been publicly detailed.
The Ghana Medical and Health Awards joins other recognition initiatives like the Ghana Wellness and Healthcare Awards, scheduled for August 2025, in trying to boost morale and motivation within the health sector. Whether awards alone can address systemic challenges like funding gaps, workforce shortages, and infrastructure deficits remains questionable, but they at least acknowledge that excellence persists despite obstacles.
As Ghana works toward universal health coverage and improved health outcomes, recognizing the individuals and institutions driving progress becomes part of building a culture of excellence. The awards ceremony in 2026 will celebrate those who’ve made exceptional contributions, reminding everyone that behind the statistics and challenges are dedicated professionals transforming lives daily.
Source: newsghana.com.gh
