The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, has marked this year’s World Tuberculosis (TB) Day with a call for increased commitment, investment, and effective delivery of TB control measures.
Under the theme “Yes, We Can End TB! Commit, Invest, Deliver,” the commemoration emphasized the urgent need for action to eliminate the disease. Stakeholders at the event identified key challenges hindering TB control in Ghana, including stigma, limited access to diagnostic tools, and inadequate funding.
In his address, the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, highlighted Ghana’s progress in TB case detection while acknowledging persisting gaps.
He revealed that in 2024, the country recorded over 20,000 TB cases—a significant improvement—yet still below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of 44,000 cases annually.
In a statement, the Minister stated their commitment to ending TB by increasing funding for control activities, improving access to diagnostic tools such as GeneXpert machines and digital X-rays, and strengthening the healthcare systems to ensure no TB patient goes undiagnosed or untreated.
Mr. Akandoh also urged Ghanaians to actively participate in the fight against TB by raising awareness in their communities, supporting affected individuals, and encouraging early testing. He challenged the public to reflect on their contributions, asking: “Can you raise awareness? Can you support someone with TB? Can you encourage others to get tested?”
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, reinforced the theme’s message, stating that eliminating TB requires strong leadership commitment, sustained investments, and effective implementation of TB interventions. He announced that Ghana’s National TB Control Program has revised its guidelines to align with WHO’s latest global standards.
Adding to the discourse, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the National TB Control Program, emphasized the importance of research in identifying undiagnosed TB cases.
She urged stakeholders to continue investing in TB control efforts.
“Let us commit our time, our resources, and our men into TB control effort,” she urged.
