Minority demands probe into digital health systems shutdown

The Minority in Ghana's Parliament has called for a probe into the shutdown of critical electronic health information systems following the company Akamai's decision to suspend services due to a US$64,511.95 debt. The Minority argues the incident raises questions about the government's financial planning, contract management, and oversight of its digital health infrastructure.

Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, the Ranking Member of the Health Committee, revealed that the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS2) and other electronic health systems were inaccessible since October 29, 2026.

The Minority asserts that this disruption underscores the risks associated with Ghana's reliance on private service providers for its health data management. They point out that the introduction of the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) in October 2025, aimed at strengthening national control over health data, is now under scrutiny due to this incident.

They also question the substantial increase in the Ministry of Health's budget from GH¢17.8 billion in 2025 to GH¢22.8 billion in 2026, which represents a 28% rise.

The caucus demands a detailed report on how these funds were allocated and spent, particularly on GHIMS and related digital infrastructure. They also want a thorough assessment of the outcomes these investments have yielded. The Minority criticizes the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service for failing to prevent this financial mishap, which led to the disruption of critical national health information systems.

They also question Akamai's actions, suggesting that the company's decision to suspend services despite the potential public health impact is concerning.

The Minority urges the government to review its agreement with Akamai, and possibly terminate the contract if justified by the contractual provisions. They demand that the government restore the affected systems immediately and provide a clear timeline for their full recovery. The caucus also wants an in-depth review of how GHIMS' expenditure is managed, including detailed budgetary allocations, actual spending, implementation progress, and integration with existing health information systems.

Additionally, they call for an investigation into the Akamai suspension to determine institutional responsibility and appropriate corrective action. They propose an independent audit of Ghana’s digital health infrastructure, focusing on aspects such as hosting arrangements, interoperability, data security, and business continuity.

The Minority insists that the government's digital health transformation should be evaluated based on the reliability, accessibility, and sustainability of the systems serving the public, rather than merely the introduction of new platforms.