Only 3 of 26 posted doctors report for duty in Upper East Region

The Upper East Region is facing a severe shortage of medical personnel as only three out of 26 doctors posted to the region have assumed duty, Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga has disclosed.
Speaking at a media engagement in Bolgatanga to account for his stewardship, Mr Atanga said five doctors had reported, but only three are currently working at the Upper East Regional Hospital, one is yet to start at Paga Hospital, and the remaining 21 have not shown up.
“These figures underscore the urgency of attracting and retaining qualified medical personnel in the region,” he told journalists.
He noted that the doctor-to-patient ratio has improved slightly from 1:17,173 to 1:14,072, but remains far below the national target of 1:7,500. The minister described the refusal of doctors to accept postings to the region as a major obstacle to effective healthcare delivery.
To tackle the chronic shortage, the Regional Coordinating Council is collaborating with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to establish a medical school and upgrade the Upper East Regional Hospital into a teaching hospital.
Specialist training programmes will begin with Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, followed by surgery and other specialties. Admissions for prospective medical students have already commenced.
Mr Atanga also announced that office space has been provided for the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) at the Regional Coordinating Council to strengthen oversight of public and private health facilities.
Security and Peace
On security, the minister said the region has seen significant improvements in stability, though challenges remain, particularly in Bawku. The Regional Security Council has intensified surveillance, intelligence gathering, joint operations and early warning systems, leading to reduced crime and greater public confidence.
Targeted operations have addressed motorbike thefts and robberies in areas including Talensi, Zaare and Soe, with market security committees playing a key role.
Mining Activities
Mr Atanga reiterated the government’s firm stance against illegal mining. A Regional Security Council operation in the Tilli and Naaga forests led to the arrest of 70 illegal miners, including foreign nationals from Togo and Burkina Faso. Equipment was seized and suspects arraigned.
Mediation between small-scale miners and large-scale companies in Talensi has eased tensions. Gold deposits have now been confirmed in 10 of the region’s 15 districts and municipalities.
To create opportunities for youth, the Regional Coordinating Council has submitted a list of mining communities to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for engagement under the cooperative mining scheme.
Justice Delivery
The minister announced plans for a dedicated remand centre in Bolgatanga to ease congestion at Navrongo Prison and speed up court processes. Engagements are ongoing with the Ghana Prisons Service and the Ministry of the Interior, and a site has already been inspected.
Mr Atanga assured residents of the government’s commitment to improving healthcare, security, environmental protection and access to justice, while urging medical professionals to accept postings to underserved areas and calling on the media to support peacebuilding through responsible reporting.