The Minority Caucus in Ghana's Parliament has urged the government and Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh to explain the shutdown of critical Ghana Health Service digital platforms due to an outstanding cloud hosting bill of $64,510.95. The platforms, suspended by Akamai on October 29, 2026, include the District Health Information Management System and HIV and Tuberculosis trackers. The Minority Caucus expressed concern over the disruption of digital health reporting across the country.
The shutdown has forced health facilities to temporarily return to paper-based systems. The affected platforms also include the Planning and Budget Management Information System, eTracker, National Malaria Data Repository, and other health information systems. The Minority Caucus questioned how critical national health information platforms could become inaccessible over an outstanding bill of $64,510.95. This is despite an increase in the Ministry of Health's budget from GH¢17.8 billion in 2025 to GH¢22.8 billion in 2026.
The Minority Caucus expressed concern that the disruption occurred barely a year after the government announced the introduction of the Ghana Health Information Management System in October 2025. They questioned the government's investment in the new system and its progress since the announcement. The caucus also asked why adequate financial and contractual arrangements were not made to prevent the disruption.
The Minority Caucus is demanding the immediate restoration of all affected platforms and full disclosure of GHIMS expenditure and implementation progress. They are also calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspension and an independent audit of the country's digital health infrastructure. Furthermore, they are requesting sustainable funding to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Although the Ghana Health Service assured the public that no data has been lost and encrypted backups remain available, the Minority Caucus says data preservation does not guarantee uninterrupted access to essential health information. The caucus has pledged to pursue parliamentary oversight to ensure that responsible institutions and officials account for the disruption.
The shutdown of critical health information systems has significant implications for Ghana's healthcare delivery. The Minority Caucus's demands highlight the need for adequate financial planning and sustainable funding for digital health infrastructure. The government's response to the situation will be crucial in resolving the issue and preventing similar disruptions in the future.
The situation underscores the importance of prioritizing digital health infrastructure and ensuring that adequate measures are in place to prevent disruptions. The Minority Caucus's call for an independent audit and sustainable funding reflects the need for transparency and accountability in the management of Ghana's digital health systems.
Key points
- The Minority Caucus demands immediate restoration of affected platforms and full disclosure of GHIMS expenditure and implementation progress.
- The shutdown of critical health information systems has significant implications for Ghana's healthcare delivery.
- The Minority Caucus is calling for an independent audit of the country's digital health infrastructure and sustainable funding to prevent similar disruptions.
