Implementation of digital health innovations in Ghana: a systematic review

Abstract

Abstract Background Ghana has made notable progress in adopting digital health innovations aimed at improving healthcare delivery across varied contexts. Interventions spanning mobile health (mHealth), telemedicine, and electronic health records (EHRs) have been implemented with varying degrees of success. While these technologies offer significant potential to enhance access, efficiency, and service quality, persistent challenges, including infrastructural deficits, limited workforce training, and low digital readiness, continue to constrain effective integration. Objectives This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the implementation of digital health innovations in Ghana, focusing on the range of technologies deployed, strategies employed, and contextual factors influencing adoption. Specifically, it examines how infrastructure, human capacity, and organizational support shape implementation outcomes across different digital health domains. Methods A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature published between 2013 and 2025 identified 25 relevant studies on digital health implementation in Ghana. Data were extracted on implementation approaches within eHealth, mHealth, telemedicine, and EHR frameworks. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring patterns, strategies, and implementation challenges. Key-results Findings indicate that the successful implementation of digital health innovations in Ghana hinges on five core strategies: infrastructure development, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, policy and governance alignment, and contextual adaptation. These strategies contribute to improved system adoption, operational efficiency, and programme sustainability. However, persistent barriers such as fragmented implementation, insufficient funding, poor system interoperability, and resistance to change limit the scalability and effectiveness of digital health initiatives. Conclusions To achieve sustainable digital health transformation, Ghana must invest in robust infrastructure, comprehensive workforce development, and coherent policy frameworks. Strengthening institutional governance and fostering cross-sectoral partnerships will be essential to ensure the scalability, equity, and long-term impact of digital health interventions. This review is the first to synthesize cross-domain digital health implementation evidence in Ghana, offering a policy-relevant framework to guide sustainable, equitable scale-up.