Ghana holds 7th National strategic high-level meeting on NCDs and mental mealth in Accra

Stakeholders unite to tackle the silent epidemic claiming thousands of lives annually

A united front against NCDs and mental health challenges

The Ghana NCD Alliance (GhNCDA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, hosted the 7th National Strategic High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health in Accra. Themed “Bridging Global Commitments with Local Realities: Ghana’s Roadmap to the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health”, the event brought together key health stakeholders, policymakers, civil society actors, and development partners to assess Ghana’s progress and strategize for the future.

With NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses now accounting for 43% to 45% of all deaths in Ghana, the urgency of the situation could not be clearer. The meeting emphasized aligning local health efforts with global goals, particularly ahead of the 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on NCDs and mental health.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe: “NCDs must be integrated into all health policies”

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe, Chairperson of the Ghana NCD Alliance, delivered a compelling call to action. She highlighted the disproportionate burden NCDs place on the Ghanaian population, particularly women, stating:

“We tend to forget NCDs but the reality is, NCDs are quietly claiming lives.”

She emphasized the need for early detection, regular health screenings, and multisectoral collaboration, arguing that integrating NCD interventions into national health policies would consolidate progress made so far. Dr. Wiafe reaffirmed GhNCDA’s commitment to the cause and stressed that no woman should die from a treatable NCD.

Prof. Kwasi Torpey: “Many Ghanaians don’t know they have Hypertension”

Speaking on system preparedness, Associate Professor Kwasi Torpey of the Amsterdam School of Global Health stressed the widespread lack of awareness and under-diagnosis of NCDs, particularly hypertension among men. He noted:

“The data shows that most men with hypertension in Ghana are unaware of their condition. This highlights a critical gap in our health system.”

He called for strengthening Ghana’s health infrastructure to better detect, manage, and prevent NCDs at both community and institutional levels.

Jessica Amegee Quach: Mapping the road to the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting

Jessica Amegee Quach, Senior Capacity Development Officer at the Global NCD Alliance, shared key insights on gearing up for the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting. Her presentation highlighted:

• Advocacy priorities for the global NCD agenda
• The status of ongoing UN political declaration negotiations
• Contentious issues such as fiscal policies, commercial determinants of health, and access to essential medicines
• The importance of civil society involvement and accountability mechanisms

She emphasized the need for strong advocacy and technical support to ensure that Ghana’s voice is heard on the global stage, stating that every new draft of the declaration must be met with focused input from national alliances like the GhNCDA.

Ministry of Health: “We must act decisively to save Ghana”

Desmond Boateng, Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, speaking on behalf of Minister Kwabena Mintah Akando pointed out that NCDs are responsible for nearly half of all deaths in Ghana. Contributing factors include physical inactivity, poor dietary habits, and inadequate health screening.

He noted the potential of health policies such as the MahamaCare initiative to reverse these trends and stressed:

“Let’s turn political declarations into workable health interventions. When we act decisively, Ghana will be saved.”

Mr. Labaran Musah: Civil Society as the watchdog and mobilizer

GhNCDA’s National Coordinator, Mr. Labaran Musah, addressed the burden and impact of NCDs and mental health in Ghana. He emphasized the role of civil society in:

• Monitoring government accountability
• Engaging communities
• Ensuring that experiences from Ghana inform global policies
• Advocating for increased domestic funding for NCD programs

He also highlighted the challenge of insufficient data, calling for disease-specific registries, particularly for cancers and chronic illnesses.

WHO: Ghana needs innovation and commitment

Dr. Fiona Braka, WHO Country Representative, noted that 35% of deaths in 2021 were linked to NCDs, underlining the growing toll of NCDs in Ghana. She advocated for innovative approaches to resource mobilization, sustained commitment, and strong partnerships:

“Ghana must continue to strengthen its fight against NCDs, and WHO remains committed to supporting that journey.”

Inclusive participation and stakeholder collaboration

The high-level meeting saw participation from a broad range of stakeholders, including:

• The Mental Health Authority
• National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)
• Ghana Health Service (GHS) NCD Program
• Clinton Health Access Initiative
• PharmAccess
• Persons Living with NCDs

Their contributions added depth to discussions on healthcare access, mental health integration, and the need for holistic, community-centered interventions.

A national call to action

As Ghana prepares for its role in the upcoming 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, the 7th National Strategic Meeting served as a critical reminder: the time to act is now. With strong leadership, multisectoral partnerships, and empowered communities, Ghana has the potential to lead the region in reducing the devastating impact of NCDs and improving mental health outcomes.