In a candid interview with B&FT’s Ebenezer Chike Adjei Njoku and Nvame’s Makafui Aikins, Yilo Krobo’s Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Albert Tetteh Nyakotey lays bare the critical healthcare challenges plaguing his constituency, while revealing the complex political calculus behind development in Ghana’s underserved regions.
Speaking with remarkable frankness, Dr. Nyakotey identifies healthcare as the cornerstone of his parliamentary agenda, arguing that without adequate medical services, all other investments become “futile.”
The MP details a healthcare system stretched to breaking point—a system deeply troubled with understaffed facilities, crumbling infrastructure, and non-existent emergency services. What consequently ensues is a healthcare system which routinely fails the most vulnerable citizens.
His successful campaign to operationalise the long-delayed Somanya District Hospital stands as a rare victory amid systematic neglect.
One of the most revealing points of this interview is Nyakotey’s unvarnished assessment of a peculiar Ghanaian political reality—i.e., the scenario where Members of Parliament find themselves opting to address certain immediate personal needs of their constituency members through direct financial assistances, rather than undertaking strategic investments towards securing long-term infrastructural and communal developments.
This interview offers a rare window into the pragmatic steps being undertaken by Dr. Nyakotey—acting as an agent of change, starting, first, with this vibrant district situated in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Yilo Krobo.
B&FT, NVAME, Nvame: What is your primary focus as MP in terms of development priority for your constituency?
MP Nyakotey: My primary focus is on healthcare and education—with a greater emphasis on healthcare.
Healthcare is a fundamental pillar of any thriving society. Without good health, productivity declines, and economic progress is hindered. In Yilo Krobo, access to quality healthcare remains a major concern. While we have some facilities, they are either understaffed, under-equipped, or both.
For me, ensuring that my constituents receive the best possible medical care is not just a priority—it is a responsibility. A community’s strength is reflected in the well-being of its people, and without accessible healthcare services, we are at risk of losing our human capital.
A nation can invest in infrastructure, education, and industry as much as it wants, but if its people are not in good health, all these investments are rendered futile. That is why I have tirelessly advocated for healthcare improvements—not just at the district level, but, very importantly, at the national level also.
B&FT, NVAME: What are the main healthcare challenges facing the Yilo Krobo constituency?
MP Nyakotey: The healthcare challenges in Yilo Krobo reflect broader systemic issues in Ghana’s healthcare system. A major issue is the unreliable water supply at the local hospital, which I’ve been working to address through parliamentary action and personal funding to extend the University’s water supply to the hospital.
Additionally, there is a shortage of medical personnel, particularly doctors and specialists, due to the preference for urban centers and a lack of incentives for rural service.
Healthcare infrastructure is also inadequate, with many facilities lacking essential equipment and facing structural issues, leading to delays in critical care. Affordability remains a challenge, as many residents struggle with out-of-pocket expenses not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Emergency transportation is also insufficient due to a lack of ambulances and limited budget allocations. Furthermore, there is a staffing challenge regarding the conversion of contract workers to permanent employees, an issue I am committed to addressing.
B&FT, NVAME: The Somanya District Hospital has finally been operationalised after the commissioning tussle. What led to this happening?
MP Nyakotey: The hospital was initiated under the previous Mahama administration but remained non-operational after their tenure. Upon taking office as MP, I actively engaged the Ministry of Health, raised parliamentary questions, and collaborated with the Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to advocate for its commissioning. I also organized a press conference with Parliament’s Health Committee, which helped accelerate the hospital’s opening and ensured it could begin serving the community.
B&FT, NVAME: What were the key challenges in operationalising the hospital?
MP Nyakotey: The primary challenge was the delay in finalising and commissioning the hospital, despite its near completion. And even after its operationalisation, this endemic problem of accessibility reared its head as a central issue, as the hospital is situated far from the main township centre.
Transporting patients to the facility was and still remains a big challenge, particularly for those in the remote areas. This is because the roads are in very deplorable states. There also were and still are concerns regarding staffing and the conditions of service for casual workers.
B&FT, NVAME: What other steps have you taken to improve healthcare delivery in your constituency?
MP Nyakotey: At the constituency level, we have worked with community leaders and health professionals to identify healthcare needs and initiated projects to expand access to services. One major achievement has been securing support from the Ministry of Health to increase the number of healthcare workers in local hospitals and clinics. We’ve also facilitated the renovation and expansion of health centers and partnered with NGOs and donor organizations to secure medical supplies and equipment.
While progress has been made, much more needs to be done. My team and I are actively engaging with authorities to secure further investments in healthcare infrastructure and exploring ways to incentivize medical professionals to serve in Yilo Krobo, such as through accommodation support, financial incentives, and career development opportunities.
B&FT, NVAME: What measures have been taken to address emergency healthcare transportation?
MP Nyakotey: Significant efforts have been made to advocate for improved ambulance services. However, challenges persist due to resource constraints. For instance, the ambulance at the upper part of the constituency, which serves the Agogo Hospital has broken down for a while.
I have raised these concerns with the appropriate authorities and continue to push for additional support to ensure that emergency healthcare transport systems are available to the district and are reliable.
B&FT, NVAME: You have mentioned challenges regarding staffing at the hospital. Could you elaborate?
MP Nyakotey: There is a need to prioritise local employment in the healthcare sector. Many casual workers at the hospital are on low wages and lack job security.
While discussions with the former Minister of Health yielded assurances on improving employment conditions, many of these commitments have yet to be fulfilled. Local recruitment is essential, as individuals from the community are more likely to remain in service rather than restlessly seek opportunities elsewhere.
B&FT, NVAME: What has been your approach to engaging with the government on these healthcare challenges?
MP Nyakotey: I have, without fail, both formally and informally, engaged directly with the Minister of Health—past and present—and other relevant government agencies. Raising issues on the parliamentary floor ensures they are documented, making it easier to hold officials accountable. I have endeavoured to use this avenue, whenever necessary. Additionally, I use media advocacy to draw public attention to these challenges, thereby increasing pressure for action and accountability.
B&FT, NVAME: What is the level of financial support allocated to healthcare in the constituency?
MP Nyakotey: For a number of years, the MPs health fund stood at GH¢150,000 per annum for healthcare development. Whiles it has now increased to GH¢200,000, this amount is insufficient given the scale of challenges faced. To mitigate the shortfall, I allocate additional funds from the Common Fund to support healthcare initiatives. However, there is a need for increased government investment to ensure sustainability.
B&FT, NVAME: Maternal and child healthcare is a major concern in many rural areas. What measures are being taken in Yilo Krobo to improve this?
MP Nyakotey: Efforts to improve maternal health in Yilo Krobo include the construction of a modern theatre at the Agogo Polyclinic, which will serve as a referral centre for over 15 health facilities, providing critical care and reducing travel distances for women in the area. Additionally, trained midwives are being placed in all health centres, and community outreach programs are raising awareness about prenatal and postnatal care to prevent complications.
Advocacy for increased funding for maternal health services is also a key focus, particularly to improve ambulance availability for timely emergency transportation. The completion of the maternity theatre at Agogo Polyclinic is expected to play a significant role in providing safer and more accessible maternity care for women in the region.
B&FT, NVAME: Given the healthcare challenges, what are your key policy recommendations?
MP Nyakotey: My key recommendations include, but are not limited to:
- Increased government funding for healthcare infrastructure development and maintenance across the board.
- Improved ambulance services and emergency healthcare transportation in rural areas.
- Increased education and awareness campaigns on health and the existing interventions made available by the government (e.g., NHIS).
- Increased accountability on the government, public and private sector players alike, to improve quality of healthcare delivery for all Ghanaians.
Also, we could prioritise the local recruitment of healthcare workers—whenever feasible—so as to ensure staff retention. Expedited efforts must also be made to improve employment conditions of healthcare workers—particularly those who take the bold and patriotic initiative of serving in underserved, remote areas of the country. Additionally, there must be strengthened oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure timely execution of healthcare projects.
B&FT, NVAME: Beyond healthcare, what are some of the other pressing issues in your constituency?
MP Nyakotey: In addition to healthcare, we are addressing challenges in education, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. Efforts are underway to secure funding for major road rehabilitation projects to improve our road networks, and we are advocating for better school infrastructure and teacher deployment to enhance education and break the cycle of poverty.
Economic empowerment is also a priority, with a focus on supporting small businesses and boosting agricultural productivity. We are exploring ways to provide financial support, credit, training, and market access to farmers and entrepreneurs to strengthen the local economy.
And very interestingly, all these other factors culminate in helping securing for the average Ghanaian, quality health and wellbeing. Quality health hinges on quality education, on good road infrastructure, and on the economic empowerment of the individual.
B&FT, NVAME: Many projects (for example, schools, hospitals, etc.) across the country remain incomplete. Can this issue be addressed through legislation?
MP Nyakotey: Yes indeed, legislation can address this issue. If there are unfinished hospital and school projects and a new government assumes office, this new government should be legally required to complete those projects first. However, in reality, new administrations may re-assess projects and determine new priority areas—areas or projects that may require more urgent interventions.
That is completely understandable—and expected, in fact. But I believe that this is still an eventuality that can be catered for with legislation. We need a great level of sanity and discipline in our developmental process—notably, when it comes to the provision of such crucial national amenities like hospitals, schools, roads, etc.
B&FT, NVAME: Would creating an independent body to evaluate the government’s performance help improve key sectors like healthcare?
MP Nyakotey: It really could—so far as it is done right. Yet, that would not take away from the fact that when it comes to a sector like healthcare, one of the main challenges is financial. The funds allocated to Members of Parliament (MPs) are limited and do not match the financial requirements of large-scale projects. The limited financial resources often affect project implementation.
B&FT, NVAME: What are the most significant lessons you have learned as an MP advocating for healthcare improvements?
MP Nyakotey: One key lesson I have picked up is that small interventions are as crucial as large-scale projects. In rural areas, the inability to pay for health insurance or basic medical fees drives people to seek alternatives like prayer camps.
That is why, in my experience, undertaking an individual-level intervention such as making available to the low-income earning Ghanaian, that GHS22 needed for the acquisition of an NHIS card, tends to significantly help improve their access to care.
Perhaps, this amount can be reduced—especially for the low-income earners. With approximately 6.9 million Ghanaians living in poverty, ensuring they have access to affordable healthcare is often more valuable than building new facilities that they would not have the wherewithal to access.
B&FT, NVAME: Is there consequently an affinity towards addressing immediate personal needs of citizens as opposed to undertaking long-term projects?
MP Nyakotey: MPs who focus on addressing immediate personal needs, such as paying school fees or covering medical expenses, tend to have greater political longevity. Many voters regrettably value direct financial assistance over long-term developmental projects.
For instance, I invested GHS 400,000 in a public toilet facility in Somanya, but when election time came, voters showed themselves to value smaller, direct financial support from my opponent more. Such a dynamic forces politicians to prioritise short-term assistance over long-term development projects. And this attitude must change—for the benefit of our collective sustainable growth as a nation.
B&FT, NVAME: Given these challenges, how do MPs maximise the impact of their limited funds?
MP Nyakotey: MPs—the best of them—do incredibly well, efficiently managing their allocated funds for the benefit of their constituencies. Emphasis on ‘the best of them’. Despite only receiving a small portion of the Common Fund—just 5 percent—MPs undertake numerous projects to alleviate poverty.
Aside from the constituency-level infrastructural/development projects, I have personally supported individuals by providing them personal assistance such as seed capital to start businesses, and funds to cover educational expenses. These small contributions significantly impact people’s lives. If MPs had access to a larger share of government funds, they could achieve even more.
B&FT, NVAME: How do you handle these educational support requests within your constituency?
MP Nyakotey: Many students submit requests for financial assistance through the party office or leave letters seeking support. In the absence of sufficient government funding, I have personally financed students’ education. Recently, I allocated GH¢20,000 to assist 20 students who were unable to pay their fees.
Some students travel long distances, spending GH¢150 just to place requests of GH¢1,000 for tuition. While ideally, I would prefer to cover 50 percent of their fees, the available resources are limited. Nonetheless, these interventions make a significant difference in the lives of beneficiaries.
B&FT, NVAME: How do you navigate this high demand for financial assistance from constituents?
MP Nyakotey: Given the overwhelming demand, I have developed a system where I pool resources and assist groups of individuals at once. For example, rather than providing small amounts to numerous individuals, I identified 20 students in critical need and provided each with GHS 1,000.
This approach allows for greater impact while managing the limited resources available. The initiative also garners public attention, prompting further support from other stakeholders.
B&FT, NVAME: Can you provide us with a snapshot of key initiatives you have engaged in as MP?
As Member of Parliament for Yilo Krobo, I have prioritized the health of my constituents, leading efforts to operationalize abandoned health centers and secure staff for the new district hospital, ensuring local residents are given job opportunities.
I have personally funded improvements to health centers, supported NHIS registration for the vulnerable, and advocated for a KVIP facility in Gbekormanya.
In education, I advocated for the opening of Apersua Community Day SHS, supported it with donations, and backed various educational initiatives, including sponsoring vacation classes for BECE candidates.
I have also championed water expansion, restoration of electricity, and infrastructure development, including key roads and bridges, to improve connectivity and living standards in Yilo Krobo. These efforts demonstrate my commitment to a healthier, more connected, and better-educated community.
B&FT, NVAME: Looking ahead, what are your expectations for healthcare delivery in Yilo Krobo?
MP Nyakotey: I expect a more structured and sustainable approach to healthcare service delivery, with enhanced infrastructure, better staffing conditions, and improved emergency response systems. Continuous advocacy and government support will be essential in addressing existing gaps and ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all constituents.
B&FT, NVAME: What message would you like to convey about the role of MPs in addressing critical national issues such as healthcare?
MP Nyakotey: MPs are deeply involved in grassroots development, often using their personal resources to meet constituents’ needs. However, public perception does not always reflect this reality. Greater awareness of MPs’ contributions could encourage better support structures. If MPs received a higher allocation from government funds, they could undertake even more impactful projects—notably, in the health sector.
Understanding the practical realities of governance can help reshape expectations and policy approaches to community development. It can also help encourage private sector support and collaboration. Public/private sector partnerships are crucial ingredients for national development—notably, in the health sector. And it is an ingredient that could help my constituency, Yilo Krobo, a great deal.
