Ghana is intensifying its efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by 2030, with health stakeholders calling for increased domestic funding, stronger public-private partnerships and coordinated interventions in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) 2030 NTD Roadmap.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting, Deputy Minister for Health Hon. Grace Ayensu Danquah said neglected tropical diseases continue to create significant health and socioeconomic challenges, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities across the country.
She acknowledged Ghana’s progress in controlling and eliminating some NTDs but stressed that maintaining these achievements would require greater domestic investment in healthcare and stronger collaboration between government agencies, development partners and private-sector organisations.
The Deputy Health Minister urged stakeholders to make clear, practical and time-bound commitments towards the country’s NTD elimination targets. She also encouraged businesses and private-sector organisations to support NTD programmes through funding, technology, logistics, research and the strengthening of Ghana’s health system.
According to her, increased investment in NTD prevention and healthcare programmes would help protect Ghana’s human capital, improve productivity and contribute to sustainable national development.
Dr Hafez Adam Taher, Chairman of the ICCC for NTDs and Technical Coordinating Director at the Ministry of Health, called for deeper cooperation among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to integrate NTD interventions into existing national programmes.
He identified key areas such as nutrition, social protection, education, water and sanitation as important platforms for strengthening the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
Dr Taher said coordinated action across these sectors would help protect vulnerable populations while ensuring that Ghana sustains the progress already achieved in NTD control and elimination.
Meanwhile, Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, National Ambassador for NTDs, urged Ghana to take greater ownership of the country’s NTD elimination agenda by increasing domestic financing, improving institutional coordination and strengthening health data sharing.
She stressed that neglected tropical diseases should be viewed not only as a public health issue but also as a national development challenge. She therefore called on government, businesses and other stakeholders to maintain long-term support for programmes aimed at eliminating NTDs in Ghana.
The stakeholder meeting brought together key players in Ghana’s health sector to strengthen partnerships, mobilise resources and secure practical commitments towards achieving the goal of a Ghana free from neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
Source: newsthemegh.com