Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has asked government appointees to work hard and prove that they deserve the trust President John Dramani Mahama has placed in them. He said the President cannot personally manage every part of the country’s development.
The Asantehene made the comments when the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, visited him at the Manhyia Palace. The minister was there to brief him on major reforms and progress in Ghana’s health sector.
“The President cannot directly oversee every sector of the Ghanaian economy. That is why he has appointed some of you into various positions. The onus lies on you to work hard towards the transformation of the country,” Otumfuo said.
In a graphic.com.gh report on July 27, 2026, he is quoted as saying that being appointed as a minister is an opportunity to serve the country and improve the lives of Ghanaians.
The Asantehene said public officials who work hard and serve the people well will leave behind a good name.
“If you distinguish yourself, your name will be etched in the minds of Ghanaians,” he added.
Otumfuo also warned government appointees to be careful of people who only support them when things are going well but may later cause problems for their work. He urged them to stay alert during their time in office.
Calls for continuity in national projects
The Asantehene also called on future governments to focus on completing development projects started by previous governments instead of leaving them unfinished when there is a change in government.
He said continuing public infrastructure projects would help the country develop faster and prevent public money from being wasted.
“If every new government commits to completing inherited projects, it will ensure that they are put to good use and help fast-track the progress of the nation,” he stated.
Otumfuo said leaving projects that have already been paid for with public funds unfinished often forces new governments to borrow more money to complete them, which can cost more.
Health Minister outlines key reforms
During the meeting, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh told the Asantehene about major government plans to improve healthcare in the country.
The minister spoke about the Free Primary Healthcare Policy, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), and efforts to deal with more than 100,000 unemployed health workers inherited by the current government.
He was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene; the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Obuobia Darko-Opoku; the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Akoriyea, and other officials.
Akandoh said the government sees free primary healthcare as an important step towards making healthcare available to everyone. He noted that countries that have achieved universal health coverage invested heavily in making primary healthcare services easy for people to access.
According to him, the Free Primary Healthcare Policy will support the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He said the government also plans to provide more medical equipment and supplies to improve health facilities across the country.
Government targets completion of 35 Agenda 111 hospitals
Speaking about the Agenda 111 hospital project, the Health Minister said the previous government spent about GH¢4.8 billion on the programme, but none of the hospitals had been fully completed and opened for use.
He said the government has selected 35 Agenda 111 hospital projects to complete. These include the hospitals at Trede and Oforikrom in the Ashanti Region.
Akandoh also gave an update on the Sewua Regional Hospital. He said work is ongoing to make it easier for people to reach the hospital by building access roads and extending electricity and water services to the facility.
He said he is hopeful that President John Dramani Mahama will officially open the hospital during his next visit to the Ashanti Region.
