The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has dismissed claims that the Ministry of Health’s online recruitment portal is fraudulent, attributing reported access challenges to heavy traffic from thousands of applicants attempting to log in simultaneously.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, May 14, after commissioning a Free Primary Healthcare post at the Madina Polyclinic, the minister said the portal is legitimate and functioning, despite complaints from prospective health workers struggling to gain access.
His remarks follow growing frustration among applicants, some of whom have described the system as ineffective, while others have alleged on social media that the recruitment process is a scam.
High demand driving system pressure
Mr Akandoh explained that checks by the Ministry of Health (Ghana) show multiple users successfully accessing the system at any given time.
“The portal is the one that has been announced by the Ministry of Health,” he said, adding that traffic levels remain extremely high.
“You realise that about 10 people enter every second. So, it’s very, very competitive and it depends on where you are, your connectivity, and all that,” he noted.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by applicants and assured that measures are being considered to improve the process.
“I appreciate the concerns, but we have a challenge at this point in time. We will do something that everybody’s heart will be put to rest,” he added.
Assurance of transparency
Responding directly to claims that no recruitment is taking place, the minister pledged transparency at the conclusion of the exercise.
“At the end of the day, we are going to publish everything — district by district, region by region — where you’ll go for your interview. So, if it is a scam, everybody will know,” he said.
Warning over recruitment scams
Mr Akandoh also warned applicants to remain vigilant against fraudsters exploiting the situation.
According to him, some individuals are impersonating public officials, including Members of Parliament, to defraud job seekers online.
“You get us the slightest evidence, and then we’ll deal with the person,” he said, adding that offenders would be handed over to security agencies for prosecution.
Plans to boost recruitment and manage migration
The minister disclosed that the government is exploring additional strategies to strengthen recruitment into the health sector while addressing the ongoing migration of health professionals abroad.
“So, with time, we are adapting other strategies to do more recruitment, facilitating the migration of health professionals outside the country and absorbing some,” he said.
Free Primary Healthcare programme funded locally
Touching on broader health policy, Mr Akandoh said the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative is being financed domestically through the National Health Insurance Fund, rather than through loans or grants.
“And let me tell you that we are running this programme not on loans and not on grants. It is you and I, our money,” he stated.
He added that the programme would be implemented through the Ghana Health Service in collaboration with private healthcare providers, without creating additional bureaucratic structures.
Mr Akandoh urged the public to take ownership of the initiative and ensure responsible use of resources to sustain it.
