Fellow Ghanaians,
Allow us to guide your vote on December 7, 2024
The December 7, 2024 election must not be another contest of promises. It is a pivotal moment for the future of Ghana’s health system and the well-being of all Ghanaians. We must demand that health be recognized as a right, not a privilege reserved for the few.
ARHR urges you to think deeply about the leadership Ghana needs to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). We need leaders who will move us closer to a nation where access to healthcare is determined not by where you live or how much you earn, but by your inherent right as a citizen to quality health services.
ARHR calls on you to vote for a candidate who will prioritize Primary Health Care (PHC) as the foundation and pathway to UHC.
WHY PHC AND UHC SHOULD MATTER TO YOU
Imagine a mother in a rural village unable to access prenatal care due to the lack of nearby health facilities, or a farmer with malaria who has to walk miles to receive treatment. Picture a young girl forced to drop out of school because she cannot manage her menstrual health. These are not isolated incidents; they are the harsh realities some Ghanaians face daily.
Strong PHC is critical in preventing such situations from escalating into full-blown crises. By ensuring health services are available in every community, PHC ensures that no one is left behind. Whether urban or rural, rich or poor, every Ghanaian should have access to healthcare without financial ruin.
PHC is the bedrock of any effective health system. It ensures that essential health services are available closer to the people, irrespective of their economic status. On the other hand, UHC represents the goal—a promise that no one will be denied healthcare because of financial hardship. However, without a robust PHC system, UHC remains a distant ideal. The two are inextricably linked: PHC is the foundation, while UHC is the structure that ensures health equity for all, particularly for women, girls, and vulnerable populations.
THE DANGERS OF NEGLECTING PHC
When PHC is weak, the entire health system suffers. Hospitals become overcrowded, treatment delays increase and preventable deaths rise. Families unwillingly sell their assets or borrow money to pay for basic healthcare. Children miss out on life-saving immunizations, pregnant women face complications due to a lack of or inadequate skilled professionals, and diseases like malaria and diarrhea continue to claim lives. The economic cost to the nation is staggering, as unhealthy citizens cannot contribute fully to the country’s economic growth.
This is why our vote must prioritize health. A strong PHC system saves lives and lifts the financial burden on families and the national economy.
WHY YOUR VOTE FOR HEALTH MATTERS
Ghana has committed to achieving UHC by 2030. This goal requires bold and visionary leadership. We need leaders who are committed to improving healthcare for all, with a proven track record of prioritizing health, investing in infrastructure, expanding community-based health programs, and advocating for policies that empower women, girls, and vulnerable groups to access care.
WHO SHOULD YOU VOTE FOR
Fellow Ghanaians, this election is a defining moment in our history. Your vote is your voice. Let it be a vote for leaders who will bring healthcare closer to you and your family. Vote for a Ghana where no one has to choose between food and medicine, your children grow up healthy, and every woman can give birth safely.
Demand action plans and not empty promises. Vote for candidates who have a proven track record of supporting health. Ask them how they plan to strengthen PHC, how they will ensure the poorest have access to care, and how they will lead us toward achieving UHC by 2030. And once they are elected, hold them accountable for these plans.
A healthier Ghana is not a distant dream—it is within our reach. But it starts with you. On December 7th, vote wisely. Vote for a Ghana where your village counts, your community thrives, and your health is a top priority.
ARHR urges you to vote for a strengthened health system to improve health outcomes for all, particularly women and girls.
VOTE FOR A STRONGER HEALTH SYSTEM
VOTE FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
VOTE FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE
VOTE WISELY!
