Ghana News

In the farming community of Aframso in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, the sound of rain beating against the earth is a constant rhythm of life. But this October, as torrential rains swelled the Afram River and washed away the only bridge connecting the health center and some communities, two nurses — Patrick and Abigail — found themselves confronting more than just bad weather.

The African Region faces over 100 health emergencies annually, stretching health systems to their limits and threatening millions of lives. From devastating disease outbreaks to complex humanitarian crises, these emergencies disrupt progress and deepen vulnerabilities.

In many parts of Ghana, especially in underserved regions, the decision to start a family—or delay one—still hinges more on access than on choice. While awareness of family planning has grown in recent years, the availability of skilled providers remains a pressing issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 218 million women in low- and middle-income countries want to avoid pregnancy but are not using a modern method of contraception.

Immunization remains one of the most cost‑effective public health interventions and a cornerstone of strong primary health care systems. In Ghana, sustained investments -in immunization have contributed significantly to improved child survival, reduced morbidity and mortality from vaccine‑preventable diseases, and strengthened community trust in health services.

The 2023 floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam devastated communities in the Eastern, Volta, and Greater Accra Regions. As the floodwaters receded, it became painfully clear that the response to the disaster had been fragmented, with multiple agencies working in silos. While there was a strong initial mobilization of efforts, the lack of coordination between these agencies hampered the overall effectiveness of the response.

“I came here with severe diarrhea and vomiting and was told I had cholera. I was very weak but was quickly put on treatment by the doctors and nurses, and now I am well enough to go back home”, said Yaa, her voice soft but filled with gratitude.

Ghana has officially inaugurated a newly constructed Sample Reception Centre at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, marking a significant milestone in strengthening laboratory systems and public-health surveillance in the country and across the African region.

Rotavirus, the leading cause of severe acute diarrhoea in infants and young children worldwide, remains a major public health challenge in West Africa. In settings where vaccines are not yet available, rotavirus accounts for up to 60% of severe acute diarrhoeal disease in children under five, often leading to preventable hospitalizations and deaths. Tackling this silent killer requires not only vaccines but also strong surveillance systems, quality laboratory testing and cross-country collaboration.

When Ghana’s Western Region became the epicentre of the Mpox outbreak, health officials knew the response required more than routine measures — it demanded strategy, collaboration, and urgency. By early September 2025, the region alone accounted for more than 40% of the country’s confirmed cases.

“Every time I asked my husband about using a family planning method, he would say my job was to give birth, and his was to feed the family. I felt alone, scared, and tired—but I kept hoping he would listen someday”, Osman Wazifatu, mother of six, Mion District.