Cancer is one of the leading causes of death from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children worldwide. Each year, an estimated 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer—but where a child lives too often determines whether they survive. While the survival of children with cancer in high-income countries (HIC) is more than 80%, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the chance of survival drops to just 20–30%.
Childhood cancers are often highly curable however, the cure rate is dependent on a range of factors such as late diagnosis, insufficient awareness, and lack of access to quality assured medicines. In LMICs, lifesaving cancer medicines are often unavailable, unaffordable, or of poor quality. For families, a cancer diagnosis can be catastrophic—not only emotionally, but also financially. Many are forced to choose between food and treatment, or worse, to abandon care altogether. Children die not because treatment does not exist, but because they simply cannot afford it.
The mission and vision of the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (the Global Platform) is to increase survival rates for children with cancer by improving access to lifesaving medicines. Launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Global Platform is the first global initiative to secure a sustainable supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines for countries that need them most. It also works to strengthen national systems so these medicines can be sustainably delivered safely, efficiently, and equitably.
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
Photo @Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa/WHOGhana
Ghana joined the Global Platform early in 2025 as part of the second cohort of countries. In preparation for a national facility and systems assessment, a team from the Global Platform visited Ghana to meet with key stakeholders in the health sector and to engage with national and facility-based procurement and supply chain workers. The team held strategic engagements with Ghana’s National Steering Committee (NSC) for the Global Platform, led by Dr Koku Awoonor, as well as representatives from participating facilities, the Food and Drugs Authority and the national Central Medical Stores. These engagements aimed to understand the country's context, align expectations, and lay a solid foundation for the rollout of this unique, co-designed initiative.
Photo @Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa/WHOGhana
The assessment also aimed to map out the country’s governance mechanism for the Global Platform and to agree on a roadmap for implementing key readiness activities. This assessment visit and the engagement with all the mentioned stakeholders set the foundation for a full national assessment aimed at evaluating Ghana’s readiness to participate in the Global Platform.
Photo @Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa/WHOGhana
Assessment details
In July 2025, Ghana hosted a nine-day mission to assess the clinical as well as the procurement and supply-chain management system across nine health facilities and the national warehouse. This two-fold assessment was led by technical experts from the Global Platform. This team was also joined by colleagues from the WHO Country Office and the Ministry of Health representatives.
In July 2025, Ghana hosted a nine-day mission to assess the clinical as well as the procurement and supply-chain management system across nine health facilities and the national warehouse. This two-fold assessment was led by technical experts from the Global Platform. This team was also joined by colleagues from the WHO Country Office and the Ministry of Health representatives.
Photo @Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa/WHOGhana
The nine health facilities were spread out across six regions— Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, Holy Family Hospital in Techiman, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Kumasi South Hospital, and Tamale Teaching Hospital. These identified facilities represent key nodes in Ghana’s effort to strengthen pediatric cancer care.
Photo @Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa/WHOGhana
Following the hospital assessments, the team also visited Ghana’s Temporary Central Medical Stores (CMS) and one of its Zipline hubs (medical drone delivery service), to assess its capacity to receive, store, and distribute free childhood cancer medicines under the Global Platform.
Photo @Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa/WHOGhana
The mission commenced with courtesy calls on Dr. Fiona Braka, WHO Representative to Ghana, and the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr Desmond Boateng. These high-level engagements, along with various other capacity building and systems strengthening efforts, further underscored the strong collaboration between national health authorities and global partners, highlighting the importance Ghana puts on strengthening systems for childhood cancer care.
Photo @Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa/WHOGhana
“This mission signals WHO’s commitment to supporting Ghana not only improve survival rates for children with cancer but also to reduce the enormous burden on families. When countries take bold steps to ensure access to safe and affordable medicines, we move closer to a world where no child dies simply because they were born in the wrong place”, said Dr. Braka.
Photo @Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa/WHOGhana
During each facility visit, the team worked closely with clinicians, pharmacists, hospital managers, and supply chain officers to assess current systems. They examined pediatric oncology wards, hospital pharmacies, central stores, and, where relevant warehouse storage.
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
Their aim: to evaluate Ghana’s readiness across six key Global Platform workstreams- governance, forecasting and quantification, clinical aspects, supply chain, regulatory pathways, and monitoring and evaluation.
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
“This wasn’t an audit. It was a dialogue. Our goal is to understand what exists, what works well, and where support is needed. Every country is different, and this Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines was built on the belief that solutions must be co-created with those who are delivering care on the ground”, explained Dhwani Babla, a St. Jude Global representative from the Global Platform team.
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
The assessment to evaluate facility and systems readiness was conducted using a Global Platform Minimum Standards Activity (MSA) template. In preparation for this, the NSC and the Ghana technical working group for the Global Platform, also completed a structured Shared Assessment Primer to provide a comprehensive self-review of the country and facility systems.
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
One of the most important first steps, is a draft Letter of Agreement (LoA), which outlines the roles and responsibilities of both parties and formalizes Ghana’s participation in the Global Platform, was shared ahead of the mission and will soon be signed by both WHO and MoH
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
The key next steps identified include developing an operational plan that captures the gaps identified, actions to address the gaps, and timelines for implementation within a period of 6 months. The successful completion of these action items will ensure that Ghana can meet the goal of receiving the first shipment of the Global Platform medicines by the first or second quarter of 2026.
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
“The Government of Ghana is proud to take this step forward. Every child’s life matters. Our partnership with the Global Platform is not just about medicines—it’s about restoring hope, building trust in the health system, and protecting the future of our country” Dr Ignatius Awinibuno, Director of Allied Health and Focal person for Non-Communicable diseases, Ministry of Health.
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
“With the assessment now complete, we’ll be compiling feedback for each facility and working closely with them through the country office to address any gaps. This is the beginning of a long-term partnership—and Ghana has demonstrated strong leadership and readiness to make it count”, said Terrence Fusire, Technical Officer at WHO HQ, representative of the Global Platform team.
Photo @Abdul-Rahim Naa Abdul-Lahie/WHOGhana
Ghana’s active engagement with the Global Platform marks a potential turning point. If successful, it would mean that children from all corners of the country—no matter their background or socio-economic status—can access the care they need. It would also mean that families no longer have to shoulder the unbearable burden of navigating treatment alone.
When a child has cancer, families shouldn't have to choose between food and medicine. Access to care should not depend on where you are born. It should be a right, not a privilege.
For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Country Office
Email: abdullahiea@who.int
Tel: +233 20 196 2393
When a child has cancer, families shouldn't have to choose between food and medicine. Access to care should not depend on where you are born. It should be a right, not a privilege.
For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Country Office
Email: abdullahiea@who.int
Tel: +233 20 196 2393