Ghana is experiencing a worrying increase in stroke cases, with health data showing a steady rise in reported cases over the past three years.
Health authorities are now calling for stronger action on healthy diets, hypertension, diabetes management and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to reduce the growing burden on the country’s healthcare system.
A Public Health Physician and Health Systems Researcher at the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr Mavis Sakyi, disclosed the figures in Accra on Monday, August 24, 2026, during a national stakeholder consultation on Food Is Medicine (FIM).
According to Dr Sakyi, nearly 48 percent of stroke cases involved men aged between 30 and 49, a trend she described as alarming.
Ghana Stroke Cases Rise Between 2023 and 2025
Data presented by Dr Sakyi showed that Ghana recorded 24,840 stroke cases in 2023, representing 77.4 cases per 100,000 people.
The number increased to 26,758 cases in 2024, equivalent to 81.1 cases per 100,000 population. In 2025, reported stroke cases climbed further to 29,483, translating into 87.36 cases per 100,000 people.
Health officials are particularly concerned about the severity of some cases, with many patients arriving at health facilities with hemorrhagic strokes, a serious form of stroke associated with a poorer treatment prognosis.
Hypertension and Diabetes Linked to Rising Stroke Cases
Dr Sakyi said poorly controlled hypertension and diabetes were major contributors to stroke complications in Ghana.
She explained that some patients either struggle to access their prescribed medication or fail to take their medication consistently, increasing their risk of serious health complications.
Ghana recorded 549,527 hypertension cases in 2023, representing 1,711.6 cases per 100,000 people. By 2025, the number had risen to 577,374 cases.
Diabetes cases also increased from 181,769 in 2023 to 201,022 in 2025, highlighting the growing burden of chronic diseases in the country.
Regions and Districts With High Stroke Cases
The Ashanti, Greater Accra, Volta and Oti regions were identified as having some of the highest proportions of stroke cases.
Among the districts with notable stroke figures are Oforikrom, Korle Klottey, Bekwai, Ayawaso West and Keta.
Dr Sakyi attributed the higher number of stroke cases among men partly to lower rates of hospital attendance compared with women.
She noted that women often have more frequent interactions with healthcare facilities because of factors such as pregnancy, which creates additional opportunities for health screening and early detection of conditions such as hypertension.
Hypertension and Diabetes Hotspots in Ghana
For hypertension, Ayawaso West in Accra was identified as a major hotspot, followed by Atwima Nwabiagya, Obuasi East, Korle Klottey and New Juaben.
For diabetes, Ayawaso West also topped the list, followed by Obuasi East, Kwahu West and Old Tafo.
Food Is Medicine Programme Gains Attention
The national stakeholder consultation was organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the University of Ghana School of Public Health to explore how food and nutrition programmes can be integrated into Ghana’s healthcare system.
Food Is Medicine (FIM) refers to food-based interventions incorporated into healthcare for people with specific medical, nutritional or social needs.
Unlike conventional nutrition education, FIM programmes are linked to clinical assessments and treatment plans. They can include medically tailored meals, healthy food prescriptions, nutrition counselling and the delivery of nutritious groceries.
Countries that have implemented Food Is Medicine initiatives have reported improvements in disease management and patient outcomes, while some programmes have also helped reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Experts Call for Better Nutrition and Healthcare Integration
The Director of Allied Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Ignatius Awinibuno, said poor nutrition, limited access to affordable healthy food and unhealthy food environments were contributing to Ghana’s growing NCD burden.
He called for stronger integration of nutrition and food support into clinical healthcare services.
According to him, initiatives such as produce prescriptions, medically tailored groceries and healthy meals, combined with nutrition assessment and medical follow-up, could play an important role in preventing and managing chronic diseases.
Parliament Describes NCDs as a National Emergency
The Vice-Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health, Dr Sebastian Sandaare, said non-communicable diseases should no longer be viewed as a secondary health issue.
He described NCDs as a pressing national emergency because they are causing premature deaths, increasing household financial pressure, reducing productivity and placing additional strain on Ghana’s healthcare system.
He said the Food Is Medicine approach could help connect disease prevention, medical treatment, nutrition and access to healthy food.
Professor Amos Laar, Head of the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at the University of Ghana School of Public Health, said the consultation would help determine how clinically appropriate food and nutrition services could become an important part of healthcare delivery and Ghana’s broader food system.
The discussions are expected to help Ghana develop a locally appropriate Food Is Medicine strategy, establish suitable implementation models, identify research priorities and create clear institutional and governance arrangements for a potential national FIM platform.
Source: newsthemegh.com