Ghana Intensifies Efforts to Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2030- Dep Health Minister
Ghana is stepping up efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by 2030, with stakeholders calling for stronger domestic financing, public-private partnerships and coordinated action aligned with the WHO 2030 NTD Roadmap.
Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Grace Ayensu Danquah, said NTDs continue to impose a heavy health and socioeconomic burden, particularly on vulnerable communities.
Although Ghana has made progress in eliminating some NTDs, she stressed that these gains could only be sustained through increased domestic investment and closer collaboration among government institutions, development partners and the private sector.
She urged stakeholders to make clear, practical and time-bound commitments, while calling on private-sector actors to support NTD programmes through funding, technology, logistics, research and health-system strengthening. Such investment, she noted, would help protect human capital, improve productivity and advance national development.
Dr Hafez Adam Taher, Chairman, ICCC for NTDs and Technical Coordinating Director for the Ministry of Health, called for stronger collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies to integrate NTD interventions into existing programmes, including nutrition, social protection, education, water and sanitation.
He said coordinated action was essential to protect vulnerable communities and maintain Ghana’s progress.
Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, National Ambassador for NTDs, urged Ghana to take greater ownership of the elimination agenda through domestic financing, improved coordination and effective data sharing.
She said NTDs must be treated as a development challenge rather than neglected diseases, and called on government and the private sector to make sustained contributions to the fight.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and secure practical commitments towards a Ghana free from NTDs by 2030.
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
