The World Bank forecasts that addressing health personnel shortages can create over 2 million jobs across West and Central Africa. This projection is part of a new strategic focus positioning health sector investment as a key social and economic driver for the region.
This initiative, named 'Fit to Prosper', aims to deliver quality health services to at least 200 million people in West and Central Africa by 2030. It will achieve this through reforms in primary healthcare, improved financing systems, and increased local pharmaceutical production. Governments in the region face growing financial pressure, higher debt costs, and tighter external funding, while demand for healthcare infrastructure rises.
This strategy aligns with Ghana's broader economic goals of strengthening public services and creating employment opportunities. Investments in the health sector are known to generate economic benefits beyond direct healthcare provision. Ghana's progress in health financing and childhood nutrition positions it to potentially achieve a 'demographic dividend', a period of economic growth due to a shift in population's age structure.
World Bank Group Vice President for People, Mamta Murthi, stated the region's health deficits pose macroeconomic risks. She highlighted high maternal and child mortality rates, widespread malnutrition, and persistent disease burdens as factors limiting productivity and labor market outcomes. Ms. Murthi emphasized, “By addressing health worker shortages, the region can create more than 2 million jobs.”
Ghana is preparing to implement this new financing approach through a government-led Universal Health Coverage Compact. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah indicated this compact will coordinate domestic resources, concessional financing, and donor support under a single national framework. Mr. Debrah described the compact as part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader ‘Accra Reset’ agenda, which focuses on national ownership and long-term sustainability. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh added that reforms will improve financing efficiency and reduce household healthcare costs. These reforms include uncapping the National Health Insurance Levy and implementing a Free Primary Healthcare initiative, alongside establishing the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, now known as MahamaCares.
The current health spending in West and Central Africa averages only 1.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is lower than other comparable regions. Weak budget execution, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of skilled personnel continue to hinder progress. Stronger domestic resource mobilization and coordinated financing structures will be crucial as external funding conditions tighten. Healthcare demand is set to accelerate with the region's population projected to expand significantly by 2050. The World Bank's regional health portfolio includes 24 active projects across over 20 countries, totaling US$4.4 billion in commitments and US$340 million in co-financing.