The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for urgent accountability following the nationwide disruption of critical health information systems, raising concerns about the Ministry of Health’s supervision, financial management and sustainability of Ghana’s digital healthcare infrastructure.
In a press statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026, and signed by Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, the Minority expressed serious disappointment in the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) over the incident.
The controversy follows the government’s introduction of the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) in October 2025. The initiative, announced by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, was designed to replace the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS).
According to the Minority, the government presented GHIMS as a state-owned digital healthcare platform intended to improve national control over medical records, strengthen health data management and reduce reliance on private technology service providers.
However, the Minority noted that less than a year after the announcement, the Ghana Health Service disclosed in a communication dated November 2, 2026, that critical electronic health information systems, including the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS2), had been inaccessible since October 29.
The disruption reportedly followed the suspension of ten servers by global technology company Akamai over an outstanding payment of US$64,510.95.
Minority Questions Government’s Digital Health Strategy
The Minority acknowledged that GHIMS and DHIMS2 perform different functions but stressed that both systems are essential components of Ghana’s broader digital health infrastructure.
It argued that the incident raises serious questions about the government’s ability to maintain reliable healthcare technology systems, protect sensitive medical information and ensure uninterrupted access to critical national health data.
The caucus described developments under the leadership of Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh as deeply concerning, particularly because GHIMS was introduced as a solution to longstanding weaknesses in Ghana’s digital healthcare infrastructure.
According to the Minority, the latest disruption contradicts the government’s assurances about strengthening the country’s health information management systems.
Ministry of Health Budget Increases to GH¢22.8 Billion
The parliamentary caucus also questioned how the Ministry of Health could experience such a disruption despite receiving a significant increase in its budgetary allocation.
It disclosed that the Ministry’s budget increased from approximately GH¢17.8 billion in 2025 to GH¢22.8 billion in 2026, representing a 28% nominal increase.
Although the figures cover the Ministry’s overall budget, the Minority insisted that Ghanaians deserve a detailed explanation of the specific financial resources allocated to GHIMS and related digital health infrastructure projects.
It called for transparency regarding the programme’s budgetary allocations, actual expenditure, implementation progress and measurable improvements in healthcare information management.
The Minority further raised concerns about financial planning, contract administration and institutional supervision within the Ministry of Health.
Akamai Server Suspension Raises Financial Management Concerns
The caucus questioned why institutions responsible for managing Ghana’s national health information infrastructure allowed ten servers to be suspended over an outstanding contractual obligation of approximately US$64,511.
It expressed disappointment that what it described as an unresolved financial and administrative obligation had escalated into a nationwide disruption of essential health information systems.
The Minority argued that the incident exposes potential weaknesses in contract management, payment arrangements and the government’s ability to protect critical digital public infrastructure.
It warned that interruptions to healthcare information systems could undermine the efficient management of medical records, health data collection and the delivery of essential healthcare services.
Minority Makes Five Key Demands
To address the situation and prevent future disruptions, the Minority Health Committee has outlined several measures it wants the government and the Ministry of Health to implement.
Among its key demands are:
- Immediate restoration of affected systems: The government must ensure the affected health information platforms are fully restored and provide a clear timeline for complete operational recovery.
- Full disclosure of GHIMS expenditure: The Ministry of Health must account for budgetary allocations, actual spending, implementation progress and integration with existing health information systems.
- Investigation into the Akamai server suspension: Authorities must investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspension of the ten servers, establish institutional responsibility and implement appropriate corrective measures.
- Independent audit of digital health infrastructure: An independent assessment should examine Ghana’s health information technology infrastructure, including server hosting arrangements, system interoperability, data security and business continuity measures.
- Sustainable financing and infrastructure safeguards: The government must establish reliable funding arrangements and stronger operational safeguards to prevent similar disruptions to critical healthcare technology systems.
Minority Vows Parliamentary Oversight
The Minority has pledged to intensify parliamentary oversight to ensure that the government accounts for the disruption and takes the necessary steps to strengthen Ghana’s digital healthcare infrastructure.
It maintained that critical national health information systems should not be exposed to nationwide interruptions because of unresolved contractual payments or administrative failures.
The caucus stressed that protecting Ghana’s digital health infrastructure requires effective financial planning, transparent contract management, reliable technology systems and strong institutional accountability.
The development has renewed attention on the government’s digital healthcare agenda, particularly the implementation of GHIMS, the reliability of DHIMS2 and the need to safeguard essential health information systems across the country.
Source: newsthemegh.com