Only three of the 26 doctors assigned to the Upper East Region have reported for duty thus far, which is a setback in the region’s long-running search for more medical experts.
Many hospitals and facilities that depend on their services are understaffed and finding it difficult to meet patient demands because most of the doctors have not yet reported.
Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, said this to reporters during a media conference in Bolgatanga, where he described his management since taking office.
Only five of the 26 doctors assigned to the area have reported, he claims, with three of them currently working at the Upper East Regional Hospital.
The others have not reported at all, and one has yet to report for duty at the Paga Hospital.
“These numbers highlight how critical it is to draw in and keep skilled medical professionals in the area,” he stated.
He claimed that although the doctor-to-patient ratio was remained below the national goal of 1: 7,500, it had somewhat improved from one doctor caring for 17,173 patients (1: 17,173) to one doctor caring for 14,072 patients (1: 14,072).
According to the minister, a significant obstacle to the provision of healthcare is the doctors’ unwillingness to accept posts in the area.
Mr. Atanga announced plans to turn the Upper East Regional Hospital into a teaching hospital and create a medical school at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in order to solve the ongoing scarcity of physicians and specialists.
According to the minister, the initiative, which is being planned by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in collaboration with UTAS and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, will also introduce specialised training programs at the Regional Hospital, beginning with paediatrics and obstetrics and gynaecology and progressing to surgery and other specialities in later years.
Mr. Atanga mentioned that the admissions process for potential medical students had already started.
He added that in order to improve monitoring of both public and commercial health institutions, the RCC has given the Health institutions Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) office space.
A regional coordinator and four officers work in the HeFRA office on the ground floor of the RCC, where their duties include licensing, monitoring, and guaranteeing the provision of high-quality healthcare.
While urging medical professionals to accept postings to neglected areas in the benefit of the country, the minister reassured inhabitants of the Upper East Region of the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare services and saving lives.
Although there are still issues in some places, especially Bawku, the region has seen notable advances in stability, Mr. Atanga stated that peace and security continue to be the government’s primary priorities.
The Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has strengthened cooperative security agency activities while stepping up surveillance, intelligence collection, and early warning systems.
The Upper East Regional Minister said that the actions had boosted public confidence throughout the region, decreased criminal activity, and increased public safety.
Market security committees are crucial to preventing crime, Mr. Atanga continued, adding that focused security operations were addressing motorbike snatching and robbery events in Talensi, Zaare, Soe, marketplaces, and other areas of the region.
Regarding mining, the minister reaffirmed the government’s strong position against illegal mining operations that endangered farms, waterways, and the environment.
He disclosed that 70 illegal miners, including foreign individuals from Togo and Burkina Faso, were apprehended as a consequence of a REGSEC-led operation into the Tilli Forest along the Red Volta and later the Naaga Forest.
All accused have been arraigned, and mining equipment has also been seized.
Additionally, he revealed that although some fundamental issues are still unsolved, tensions between small-scale miners and large-scale mining corporations in the Talensi District have decreased as a result of mediation efforts.
Ten of the fifteen municipalities and districts in the area have now found gold reserves, the minister declared.
Additionally, he mentioned that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources had received a list of mining communities, including Teshie, Sapeliga, Santeng, Tarkwa, Bongo, Kadema, Naaga, Bechisi, and Nabdam, from the Regional Coordinating Council and the Minerals Commission for interaction with concession holders under the cooperative mining scheme.
In order to alleviate traffic at the Navrongo Prison and shorten court proceedings, the Upper East Regional Minister announced plans to build a special remand centre in Bolgatanga.
On December 22, 2025, the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service paid him a courtesy call and viewed a possible site, according to Mr. Atanga, who also stated that discussions with the Ministry for the Interior and the Ghana Prisons Service were underway.
The move, he claimed, was in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s Resetting Agenda, which gave human rights, institutional reforms, and better access to justice top priority.
Mr. Atanga urged the media to support peacebuilding efforts through responsible reporting and reassured locals of the government’s ongoing commitment to protecting lives, property, and livelihoods.
Source: newsthemegh.com