The FPHC initiative was launched on April 15, 2026, as a major component of Ghana’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Upper East Region is prominently represented in the first phase of the programme with all 15 municipalities and districts benefiting.

Dr Fiona Braka, the WHO Country Director to Ghana, gave the Commendation and the assurance when she paid a working visit to the region and called on Mr Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister.

She said the region’s borders with Burkina Faso and Togo made it unique, particularly in disease surveillance and cross-border health collaboration.

“We are keen to understand the context. We appreciate that all regions are different; there are unique challenges that we may be facing and unique ways of delivery of services,” Dr Braka said.

She said the WHO was interested in how the FPHC initiative would be adapted to the region’s specific needs.

“We are delighted to see that the Free Primary Health Care initiative has been launched. We are in the early stages, so I am sure it will be good to see how we are planning to roll it out,” she said.

Dr Braka reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s health priorities and stressed the importance of ensuring that vulnerable groups were not excluded from healthcare.

“Our role as World Health Organization is to support the member states in implementing their national priorities,” she said.

She called for stronger collaboration among the Regional Coordinating Council, Regional Health Directorate and other stakeholders to strengthen Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and expand access to both preventive and curative care.

Dr Braka noted that functional CHPS facilities could play key role in the early detection and management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

“On behalf of the World Health Organization, I want to thank you for your leadership and assure you that the World Health Organization is a committed partner, not just at the national level, but even down to the regional level and community level,” she told the Minister.

Mr Atanga thanked the WHO for its continued support to the region and appealed for increased assistance to improve healthcare delivery.

Dr Braka and her team were accompanied by Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Zakariah Adam, Acting Deputy Director in charge of Public Health, Dr Samuel Aborah, Acting Deputy Director in charge of Clinical Care and Mr Yakubu Issahaku, Deputy Director in charge of Finance.