Ghana's Minority in Parliament Demands Answers Over Health Systems Shutdown

The Minority in Ghana's Parliament has called for accountability from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) following a reported shutdown of critical electronic health information systems. This shutdown was caused by the suspension of 10 servers by technology company Akamai due to an outstanding payment of US$64,510.95. The Minority expressed concern over the government's financial planning and oversight of the country's digital health infrastructure. The disruption began on October 29, 2026, and was disclosed by the Ghana Health Service in a communication dated November 2, 2026.

The Minority, in a press statement issued on November 6, 2026, described the situation as troubling and questioned how institutions responsible for managing the country's health information infrastructure could allow outstanding contractual obligations to result in the suspension of 10 servers. The Minority argued that the disruption raises questions about the sustainability of the government's digital health strategy, particularly at a time when the Ministry of Health is pursuing reforms to strengthen the country's health information management systems.

In October 2025, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced the introduction of the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) to replace the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS). The government presented GHIMS as a state-owned platform intended to strengthen national control over health data and reduce dependence on private service providers. However, the Minority said the latest development raised questions about the government's ability to protect and sustain essential digital health infrastructure.

The Minority acknowledged that GHIMS and the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS2) perform different functions but maintained that both form part of Ghana's wider digital health ecosystem. The Minority also drew attention to the Ministry of Health's budget, which increased from approximately GH¢17.8 billion in 2025 to GH¢22.8 billion in 2026, representing a 28 per cent nominal increase. The Minority stressed that the government owed the public an explanation of how much had been committed specifically to GHIMS and related digital infrastructure.

The Minority expressed disappointment in the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, accusing them of allowing outstanding contractual obligations to escalate into a disruption of critical health information systems. The Minority questioned Akamai's decision to suspend the servers, given the potential public health implications of interrupting essential health information services. While acknowledging the need for contractual obligations to be honoured, the Minority urged the Ministry to review its agreement with the technology company.

The Minority Health Committee has consequently outlined five demands to the government. It wants the immediate restoration of the affected systems and a clear timeline for their full operational recovery. The Minority also demanded a comprehensive account of GHIMS expenditure, including budgetary allocations, actual spending, implementation progress, and its integration with existing health information systems. Additionally, it wants an investigation into the Akamai suspension to establish institutional responsibility.

The Minority is further calling for an independent audit of Ghana's digital health infrastructure, covering hosting arrangements, interoperability, data security, and business continuity. It has also urged the government to establish sustainable financing arrangements and infrastructure safeguards to prevent similar disruptions. The Minority stated that it would pursue the necessary parliamentary oversight to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence.

Key points

• The Minority in Parliament demands accountability from the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service over the shutdown of critical health information systems.
• The shutdown was caused by the suspension of 10 servers by Akamai due to an outstanding payment of US$64,510.95.
• The Minority has outlined five demands, including the immediate restoration of the affected systems and a comprehensive account of GHIMS expenditure.