The Minority in Parliament has demanded accountability over the nationwide shutdown of critical health information systems, questioning the Ministry of Health's oversight and the sustainability of its digital health strategy.

In a press statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026, and signed by Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member of the Committee on Health, the Minority expressed profound disappointment in the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.

"In October 2025, the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced the introduction of the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) to replace the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS). Government presented GHIMS as a state-owned platform intended to strengthen national control over health data and reduce dependence on private service providers," the Minority recounted, stressing "barely a year later, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), in a communication dated 2nd November 2026, disclosed that critical electronic health information systems, including DHIMS2, had been inaccessible since 29thOctober 2026, following the suspension of ten servers by Akamai over an outstanding payment of just US$64,510.95". 

"Although GHIMS and DHIMS2 perform different functions, both form part of Ghana's wider digital health ecosystem. This development raises serious questions about the sustainability of government's digital health strategy and its ability to safeguard essential national health information systems," they emphasised.

The Minority described the developments in the health sector under the leadership of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh as "deeply troubling, particularly given government's assurances that GHIMS would address longstanding challenges in Ghana's digital health infrastructure".  

They disclosed that "the Ministry of Health's budget increased from approximately GH¢17.8 billion in 2025 to GH¢22.8 billion in 2026, representing a 28% nominal increase" and asked for transparent accountability stating "although these are ministrywide allocations, the public deserves a detailed account of the resources specifically committed to GHIMS and related digital infrastructure, and the measurable outcomes achieved". 

They furhter raised concerns about the financial planning, contract management and institutional oversight by the Ministry.

"How could institutions entrusted with managing Ghana's health information infrastructure allow ten servers to be suspended over an outstanding obligation of approximately US$64,511?" they questioned.

They, therefore, expressed "profound disappointment in the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service for allowing outstanding contractual obligations to escalate into a nationwide disruption of critical health information systems". 

The Minority Health Committee, addressing the issues, demanded the government to "immediately restore the affected systems and provide a clear timeline for full operational recovery. Account for GHIMS expenditure, including budgetary allocations, actual spending, implementation progress and integration with existing health information systems. Investigate the Akamai suspension, establish institutional responsibility and take appropriate corrective action" and "conduct an independent audit of Ghana's digital health infrastructure, including hosting arrangements, interoperability, data security and business continuity" as well as establish sustainable financing and infrastructure safeguards to prevent future disruptions. 

The Minority pledged to pursue the necessary parliamentary oversight to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence, stressing "it is unacceptable for critical national health information systems to remain vulnerable to disruption over unresolved administrative and financial obligations".