Ghana News

This blog is written by Dr Leveana Gyimah, WHO Ghana Mental Health Technical Officer and Patrick Avevor, WHO Ghana Infectious Hazard Management Officer, on World Mental Health Day

In recent years, negative press and misinformation around vaccines have threatened public confidence, slowed uptake, and left many vulnerable to preventable diseases. With Ghana set to introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization programme in October 2025, health authorities are prioritising accurate, responsible reporting to ensure that no eligible girl is left behind.

As Ghana prepares to introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization programme, health workers remain at the center of efforts to ensure that every eligible child is reached and protected.

The recent inter-ethnic conflict in Ghana’s Savannah Region left families displaced, homes destroyed, and public services stretched to the limit. Among the hardest hit are the districts of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole, where the surge in injuries, trauma, and displacement has put an extraordinary strain on local health facilities.

Adolescents and young people make up a quarter of Ghana’s population and represent the country’s greatest potential for growth and transformation. Yet many face barriers that undermine their health, education, and future opportunities, including early pregnancy, limited access to family planning, mental health challenges, and high exposure to violence and HIV.

Accra, Ghana – The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohammed Yakubu Janabi, have commenced an official visit to Ghana from 4–6 August 2025.

Sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) have no place in development or health programming. Beyond the personal toll on survivors, such violations erode trust, compromise results, and undermine the very systems meant to serve the vulnerable. That’s why strengthening the capacity of programme officers to identify, prevent, and respond to SEAH is not just important—it’s essential.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide—despite being almost entirely preventable.

For the first time since 2007, Ghana is rolling out a nationwide training to strengthen the leadership and technical skills of mid-level and operational level immunization officers.

Ghana continues to make impressive strides in the fight against poliovirus, with the last confirmed case of Wild Poliovirus (WPV) recorded in 2008 and the most recent Variant Poliovirus (VDPV) detected in 2024. As the number of confirmed polio cases and detection of the virus in the environment decline steadily, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners remain committed in minimizing the risk of reintroduction of poliovirus.