The Upper West Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Josephat A. Nyuzaghl, has raised serious concerns over a sharp exodus of health workers, warning it jeopardizes quality healthcare delivery in one of Ghana’s most underserved regions.
Speaking at the 2025 Regional Health Directorate Performance Review, Dr. Nyuzaghl disclosed that 194 staff departed the region via inter-regional transfers last year, while only 30 new workers arrived from elsewhere.
He highlighted a stark shortfall in doctors: Of 25 medical officers posted to the region since 2025, none reported for duty that year. Only three showed up in 2026 after persistent persuasion.”This persistent brain drain threatens our ability to provide essential services,” Dr. Nyuzaghl said, describing the trend as “worrying.”
Regional authorities are fighting back. Dr. Nyuzaghl noted special clearances enabled the recruitment and retention of 14 doctors who completed housemanship locally.
In a positive development, the Upper West Regional Hospital has earned full accreditation to train specialists in surgery and pediatrics starting in the 2026/2027 academic year—a move expected to curb attrition among aspiring specialists.He urged stakeholders to support staff rationalization, pointing out an imbalance where most personnel cluster in Wa Municipality, leaving other districts critically understaffed. “This is unacceptable and must be addressed,” he stated.
Upper West Regional Minister Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing echoed the call to action, revealing ongoing efforts including meetings with Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to secure suitable bungalows for doctors across districts.
He also appealed to Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, MP for Dafiama-Bussie-Issa and Upper West Caucus Leader, to push for increasing district assemblies’ health infrastructure allocation from 10% to 15% of funds.
The Upper West Region has long grappled with low retention of doctors and health professionals, a chronic issue frustrating policymakers and residents despite repeated interventions.
