By Hannah Dadzie
Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) and partners have commend the government on the presentation of the 2026 Budget and Economic Policy. They have urged the government to prioritize sustainable and equitable health financing as a critical pathway toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly within primary health care (PHC) and immunisation services.
In a statement, HFFG acknowledged the government’s effort to increase the health sector allocation by about GHS 5 billion, raising the budget from GHS 17.8 billion in 2025 to GHS 22.8 billion in 2026; equivalent to 8% of the national budget. It said while this reflects progress toward the Abuja Declaration target, it remains far below the 15% commitment, highlighting the need for stronger political will and increased domestic investment.
When adjusted for inflation, the real value of the 2026 health budget falls to roughly GHS 21.1 billion, reducing its purchasing power. If inflation is not effectively addressed, the health sector risks facing serious funding constraints that could undermine service delivery and delay progress toward Universal Health Coverage.
The organisation further commended the government’s continued commitment to expanding access to quality health care, in alignment with the UHC roadmap.
Notably, Governments’ complete payment of USD24.5million to 2025s’ co-financing obligation; as well as the commitment to uncap the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), amounting to GHS 9 billion, provides stable financing for vaccines, essential commodities amongst others.
It indicated that while these are encouraging, persistent gaps in domestic resource mobilization; especially for immunisation remain a major concern.
With Gavi’s co-financing support gradually phasing out, Ghana urgently needs to secure sustainable domestic funding to prevent future vaccine stockouts (as experienced in 2022 and 2023), avert procurement and deployment delays, strengthen the health workforce in underserved rural areas, and preserve the public health gains achieved to date.
HFFG and its partners are urging government to sustain immunisation financing by adopting yearly advance payments to purchase vaccines.
HFFG also recognises the government’s focus on epidemic preparedness and response, including the successful containment of Mpox, meningitis, and cholera outbreaks. It added that without a dedicated funding mechanism for emergency preparedness, the country remains vulnerable to future public health threats.
HFFG therefore calls for the following actions:
a. Increase domestic resource mobilisation & ensure timely disbursement to meet rising obligations. Timely releases must be legislated and monitored to ensure sustainability.
b. Institutionalize a dedicated immunization budget line. The MoF must create and protect a dedicated immunization line item in the national budget, with real-time tracking and disbursement. Increase domestic resource mobilisation & ensure timely disbursement to meet rising obligations.
c. Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) -Bridge funding gaps by establishing PPP-based bridge funding models to cover short-term funding gaps when NHIL collections are lower than expected.
d. Integrating Immunisation into the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS)- Mainstream immunisation into NHIS packages is a strategic policy choice that guarantees equitable access, financial protection, and long-term sustainability of Ghana’s immunisation program while advancing national and global health goals.
e. Accelerate financing for the Ghana Vaccine Institute (GVI). Increase domestic investment in GVI to facilitate local vaccine production, which is critical for long-term self-reliance.
The statement states that HFFG and its partners remain committed to working with the Government and stakeholders to ensure equitable health financing and uninterrupted access to essential health services for all Ghanaians. They urged policymakers to act swiftly in addressing these critical gaps to safeguard the health and well-being of citizens.
