Dr. Solomon Kwarteng Forkuo, a lecturer at Kumasi Technical University, has urged the government to establish specialized health facilities across the country to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
According to him, decentralizing access to specialized medical services would significantly reduce the financial and logistical burden on patients who currently travel long distances to urban hospitals for treatment.
“Many rural dwellers cannot afford to travel to major cities for healthcare. Creating specialized centres within reach will help save lives and reduce financial burdens,” he said.
Dr. Forkuo made the remarks during an interview on Otec FM’s morning show “Nyansapo,” hosted by Kwaku Owusu Boateng on Thursday, July 10, 2025. He acknowledged that while Ghana has made notable strides in health infrastructure, accessibility remains a critical gap, especially for the poor.
His comments come at a time when many Ghanaians still struggle to access specialized care such as maternal services, cancer screening, and surgical procedures, due to the centralization of such services in major cities.
Healthcare Must Be Affordable and Inclusive
Beyond infrastructure, Dr. Kwarteng Forkuo emphasized the need to make healthcare services affordable for rural populations, many of whom are excluded from the formal healthcare system due to high costs and limited facilities.
“Healthcare should not be a privilege for the few who live in urban areas or have money. It must be a right accessible to every Ghanaian regardless of location or income,” he stated.
He further noted that “addressing these gaps through targeted infrastructure and pricing reforms will bring the country closer to achieving universal health coverage.”
Dr. Forkuo’s call adds to growing public pressure on the government to rethink its healthcare priorities and ensure equitable distribution of medical services across all regions of Ghana.
