The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, marked World Tuberculosis (TB) Day with a series of events aimed at raising awareness and accelerating efforts to eliminate TB in the country.
This year’s theme, “Yes, We Can End TB! Commit, Invest, Deliver,” calls for urgent and decisive action to address the global health challenge posed by TB.
The event highlighted both the progress Ghana has made in its fight against TB and the challenges that remain.
Health officials and stakeholders gathered to discuss the barriers hindering TB control, including the persistent stigma surrounding the disease, limited access to diagnostic tools, and insufficient funding for critical TB interventions.
Despite these challenges, there was a unified call for collective action to speed up progress in TB detection, treatment, and prevention.
Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, provided a detailed overview of the country’s achievements in tackling TB.
He noted that in 2024, Ghana recorded over 20,000 TB cases—an improvement compared to previous years—but still well below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of 44,000 cases annually.
While Ghana has made significant strides in detecting and diagnosing TB, the Minister emphasized that there is still much work to be done to close the gap between the number of TB cases detected and the actual cases in the community.
“Although we’ve made progress in detecting TB cases, the numbers still fall short of the WHO’s target.
Our goal is to ensure that every person with TB is diagnosed and treated promptly, and we’re committed to investing in the resources necessary to achieve this,” he said.
To further strengthen Ghana’s fight against TB, Mr. Akandoh outlined the government’s commitment to increasing funding for TB control activities.
This includes boosting the availability of essential logistics, medical supplies, and modern diagnostic tools like GeneXpert machines and digital X-rays.
Additionally, the government aims to enhance the overall healthcare system to ensure that no TB patient is left undiagnosed or untreated.
The Minister also called for widespread public participation in the fight against TB, urging all Ghanaians to actively engage in raising awareness about the disease.
He encouraged people to support those affected by TB, advocate for early testing, and challenge the stigma that surrounds the disease.
“We all have a role to play in ending TB. Whether it’s by raising awareness, supporting someone with TB, or encouraging others to get tested, together we can make a difference,” he added.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, explained the significance of the theme, stressing that eliminating TB in Ghana requires sustained commitment from all sectors.
He noted that strong leadership, sustained investment, and effective delivery of healthcare interventions are essential for success.
“We must strengthen our healthcare system and collaborate across sectors to achieve our goal of a TB-free Ghana,” he stated.
To ensure alignment with global standards, Prof. Akoriyea highlighted that the National TB Control Program had recently revised its guidelines to conform to the latest WHO recommendations.
This includes integrating more effective diagnostic and treatment strategies into Ghana’s national TB response.
Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, chairperson of the Advisory Board of the National TB Control Program, emphasized the importance of continued research and innovation in TB diagnosis.
She called on all stakeholders to invest their time, resources, and efforts into tackling the disease.
“It’s essential that we continue collaborating and investing in TB control, and that we recognize the importance of every effort we make to eliminate this disease,” she urged.
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