Ghana News

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. 

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep vulnerabilities in health systems around the world—laying bare the urgent need for stronger investments in pandemic preparedness and response. For Ghana, it served as both a wake-up call and a powerful opportunity: a call to reimagine and rebuild a more resilient, inclusive, and responsive health system that can detect and address emerging health threats before they escalate into crises.

As Ghana faces a rising tide of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the need for early prevention and evidence-based interventions has never been more urgent. In recent years, conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers have been on the rise — many linked to unhealthy behaviours that begin in childhood and adolescence.

Public Health Emergencies are increasingly becoming complex and frequent and complex, often driven by a convergence of factors including disease outbreaks, climate-related events, technological hazards, and environmental degradation. In such a landscape, effective emergency response depends on coordinated, multi-sectoral efforts grounded in accurate, real-time information.

As Ghana prepares to introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccines into its routine immunization schedule by the end of 2025, efforts are underway to ensure the public is not only informed but also confident in these life-saving interventions.

The World Health Organization joined the Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners to commemorate World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD), reinforcing the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing infections and ensuring patient safety within healthcare settings.

Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century. Climate risks are increasing, and Ghana is no exception. From deadly heatwaves, erratic rainfall, flooding to rising cases of climate-sensitive diseases, the climate crisis will exert additional pressures on the country’s health and social care systems.

With Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) now responsible for nearly half of all deaths in Ghana, efforts to prevent and reduce the growing health and economic burden have never been more urgent. From unhealthy food environments and aggressive marketing to limited access to infrastructure for physical activity, the drivers of poor health outcomes are often systemic — requiring strong laws, strategic fiscal policies, and sustained cross-sectoral collaboration. 

Access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable medicines is critical for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improving public health outcomes. A strong National Medicines Policy (NMP) provides the framework to guide the regulation, selection, supply, and use of medicines — ensuring that no one is left behind.