The Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Lawyer Joseph Addae Akwaboah, says the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s newly launched Free Primary Healthcare programme is designed to improve access to essential health services, particularly for people in rural communities.
Speaking during the “Accounting to the People” tour in the Dormaa Central Municipality, he said the initiative forms part of efforts to promote healthier living and reduce the burden of primary healthcare challenges in underserved areas.
He noted that the NDC government has consistently prioritised the welfare of rural populations, where access to basic healthcare remains a major concern. According to him, the programme, alongside the construction of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, is expected to bring healthcare closer to residents and support their daily livelihoods.
Hon. Akwaboah also responded to recent political claims suggesting that ambulances had been replaced with tricycles, describing the assertions as misleading.
He explained that the tricycles introduced under the programme are not ambulances but are instead intended to support the movement of health workers to remote communities to deliver care directly to residents.
He urged the public to disregard what he described as false narratives being circulated by political opponents, stressing that the vehicles are meant purely to enhance healthcare outreach in hard-to-reach areas.
The Minister added that the focus of the initiative is to ensure that rural residents can access timely medical attention without having to travel long distances.
He further commended President Mahama for prioritising healthcare delivery in rural areas, saying resources are being directed towards practical interventions such as CHPS compounds and mobility support for health workers rather than personal or non-essential expenditure.