AGP Executive Report

Girls’ Rights Momentum: DCI-Ghana says its She Leads Project helped girls speak up, join leadership and influence decisions—now pushing mentorship and menstrual health awareness through regional learning sessions in Kumasi. Adolescent Health Push: GHS urges families to encourage sexually active adolescent girls to use adolescent health corners for counselling and protection against pregnancy and STIs. Hypertension Awareness: Volta Region launches World Hypertension Day campaign, spotlighting “Measure One Million” blood pressure screening and the “silent killer” risk. Maternal Care Alarm: MP Jean-Marie Formadi calls for stronger antenatal education after a pregnant woman’s death, urging routine check-ups to catch complications early. Health System Integrity: Medical and Dental Council leadership warns of rising misconduct and malpractice complaints, citing backlogs and declining ethics. Ebola Status Watch: Health Minister reassures Ghanaians there’s no recorded Ebola case, but urges strict hygiene and vigilance. Food Safety for Eid: Kumasi Abattoir urges public patronage ahead of Eid al-Adha, stressing veterinary inspection and hygienic processing. Security Recruitment Update: Interior Minister says medical results for security applicants will be released next week, with expanded intake. Cocoa & Health Link: Ghana will host a World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in 2027, with farmer livelihoods and resilience on the agenda.

South Africa Xenophobia Watch: Anti-immigrant protests are flaring again, with vigilantes threatening to remove undocumented migrants by June 30—reviving fears of violence after the 2008 attacks. The latest unrest is tied to months of low-key demonstrations, anger over jobs, crime and strained services, and political maneuvering ahead of November municipal elections. Ghana Health—Renal Care Boost: Ho Teaching Hospital is set to get an ultra-modern dialysis centre, with the Ministry of Health working with MahamaCares and NHIS to expand life-saving kidney treatment. Maternal Health Push: Ghana will mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, calling for urgent funding and stronger political will to end childbirth injuries. Policy & Governance: Vice President Opoku-Agyemang has commissioned 100 fuel-efficient Metro Mass buses to support the 24-hour economy agenda. Cocoa Livelihoods: COCOBOD is urging fairer global cocoa pricing as Ghana prepares to host the 2027 World Cocoa Foundation partnership meeting.

Ebola vigilance, calm message: Ghana’s Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says no Ebola case has been recorded, but urges strict hygiene and immediate reporting of symptoms as Ghana steps up preparedness after WHO’s global emergency alert. Health system leadership: In the Upper East, GHS regional director Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari tells managers to lead with ownership to improve delivery, using RHMT performance reviews as the accountability platform. Maternal health push: Ghana marks International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on Saturday with a call for real budget money to end childbirth injuries. Food safety enforcement: FDA tightens checks on frozen food imports, requiring stricter site verification so only hygienic products reach markets. Local health access fight: Residents of Sefwi-Wiawso appeal to keep the Western North Regional Hospital in the regional capital, warning relocation would force patients to travel to Kumasi. Public health beyond clinics: A new study finds beer may contain more vitamin B6 than previously estimated, including alcohol-free options.

Ebola Preparedness: Ghana’s Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says no Ebola cases have been recorded in the country, but surveillance and prevention are being intensified after WHO declared the DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak a global emergency, urging strict hygiene and fast reporting of symptoms. Health Regulation: Ghana’s Allied Health Professions Council has launched enforcement in Sunyani, flagging unqualified practice, expired licences and lapses in professional PINs, with some staff ordered to suspend work until compliance. Maternal Health Access: Telecel Foundation’s rural ultrasound drive in Ada drew 300+ pregnant women for free scans, antenatal support and referrals for early complications like anaemia. Public Health Policy: Parliament is set to host an African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family and Sovereignty (June 3–6), with discussions including child protection and AI’s impact on family systems. Cross-Border Trade & Security: ECOWAS is pushing deeper border cooperation to boost trade and coordinate action against transnational crime, with Ghana participating in Abuja talks.

Ebola Alert, Ghana on standby: WHO has declared the DR Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a global emergency, pushing Ghana to intensify Ebola preparedness and border screening even as the Health Ministry reiterates there are no cases in Ghana yet. Emergency care scrutiny: Ghana Medical and Dental Council chair Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa says hospitals must triage and stabilise patients—no “no bed” excuses—after findings tied to the death of engineer Charles Amissah, while ambulance training and equipment were criticised. Food safety clampdown: FDA warns importers that only certified, hygienic frozen foods will be allowed, with mandatory site verification for chicken, meat and fish. Public health priorities: World Hypertension Day coverage highlights rising high blood pressure and calls for regular checks and lifestyle changes. Community health access: Le Mete Ghana and TUMSC mark 10 years of care in northern Ghana, while Yilo Krobo Assembly cuts sod for CHPS compounds and boreholes. Road safety pressure: Prolonged closure of the Kaneshie footbridge is forcing pedestrians into dangerous highway crossings.

Deportations and health strain: Sierra Leone received the first plane of nine migrants expelled from the US, including Nigerians, Ghanaians, Guineans and Senegalese, with a health ministry official saying many were “traumatised” after months in detention and will be housed in a hotel before returning home within two weeks. Emergency care scrutiny: In Ghana, the committee investigating engineer Charles Amissah’s death says ambulance training and equipment were inadequate, and it also revealed his phone and ID card were stolen at the crash scene, leaving him unidentified; the report points to failures across multiple facilities. Ebola preparedness: Ghana’s Health Ministry says there are no suspected or confirmed Ebola cases yet, but it has stepped up airport and border screening, training and isolation readiness as outbreaks are reported in Uganda and DR Congo. Hypertension push: PATH Ghana and GHS renewed calls for regular blood pressure checks and better treatment adherence ahead of World Hypertension Day. Local safety and health infrastructure: Traders and commuters still face daily danger after the Kaneshie footbridge closure, while Ahantaman Community Bank gifted a mechanised borehole to the Western Regional GES to improve clean water access. Finance policy watch: Bank of Ghana raised the cash reserve ratio to 20% and expects non-performing loans to keep falling under new guidelines.

Ebola Alert, DR Congo-Uganda: WHO has declared a global emergency over Ebola in DR Congo and Uganda, with the latest reports describing a fast-moving outbreak in conflict-hit Ituri—raising the question many Ghanaians are asking: could it reach Ghana? Migration & Health Support: Sierra Leone received nine deportees from the US under a third-country arrangement, with health officials on hand after months in detention; Ghana also launched a “Welcome Home” financial package for citizens repatriated from South Africa after xenophobic attacks. Health Workforce & Care: Ghana’s First Lady urged health professionals to stay and build the country, while a dialysis-centre trainee flagged rising postpartum mental health needs and called for stronger mental health integration into maternal care. Policy Pushback: ISODEC rejected Ghana’s IMF PCI request, warning it could deepen dependence on external prescriptions. Local Health Funding: Bank of Africa cleared hospital bills for mothers and newborns at Maamobi General Hospital to reunite families. Food & Climate: Cocoa prices are falling, and real chocolate is making a comeback; Kenya’s ClimVAT tool shows how better climate risk mapping can protect food systems.

Ebola Alert & Border Readiness: Ghana has issued an urgent public health alert after WHO declared a global health emergency over Ebola outbreaks in DR Congo and Uganda, saying no suspected or confirmed cases have been recorded locally while it ramps up port and border screening, traveller monitoring, health worker training, and public risk communication. Healthcare Leadership & Philanthropy: First Lady Lordina Mahama was appointed Merck Foundation Ambassador in Ghana, recognised for Lordina Foundation work spanning education, healthcare support, women’s empowerment, and medical training scholarships. Health System Capacity: Admissions into public health training institutions for 2026/27 open today (May 20) via an online portal, while the Ministry also continues health workforce recruitment and planning for new intakes. Public Health Beyond Ebola: Ghana Standards Authority shut down a Chinese-owned mattress maker over alleged substandard production, while separate reports highlight ongoing concerns about hypertension screening and care access. Tech for Health—With Caution: Ghana’s national AI strategy is pushing healthcare as a priority, but coverage warns that AI must be integrated into real clinical workflows, not treated as hype.

Health Workforce: Ghana’s Ministry of Health says newly recruited health professionals will start work on July 1, 2026, after the main recruitment portal closed, with a mop-up exercise to fill remaining gaps. Hypertension Focus: World Hypertension Day programming continues, with cardiology experts stressing lifestyle changes and better follow-up to prevent early deaths. Maternal Care Recovery: Mamprobi Hospital reports improving attendance as safety fears ease after the earlier baby abduction case, with management pushing renewed confidence. Health Financing & Sovereignty: President Mahama told the World Health Assembly in Geneva that uncapping NHIS funds unlocked GH¢3 billion for healthcare, while he also warned that US aid cuts have already cost Ghana about US$78 million, hitting malaria, HIV and maternal services. Regional Mobility: Togo announced visa-free entry for African Union nationals (and also for all African nationals), while Ghana’s own visa-free move is set to start soon—good news for cross-border health access and trade. Safety & Response: Government commissioned new vehicles for the Ghana National Fire Service to boost rapid response capacity.

Midwifery Push: The Ghana Registered Midwives Association is urging government to expand, deploy and retain midwives—plus improve conditions of service—to cut delays in pregnancy, labour and postnatal care, especially in rural and underserved areas. Maternal & Mental Health Pressure: Mental health coverage remains thin, with a shortage of specialists and facilities and high out-of-pocket costs for medicines; meanwhile, a mental health forum also called for stronger accountability for fathers who abandon children with special needs. Health Funding Shift: President Mahama says Ghana is on track to exit Gavi vaccine funding by 2030 and transition toward donor status, while also warning that USAID programme suspension cost Ghana about $78m and disrupted key services. Outbreak Readiness: Ghana’s MoH says there are no Ebola cases locally, but it has stepped up surveillance and border screening as Ebola and hantavirus alerts spread regionally. Workforce & Service Delivery: MoH reports thousands of health professionals have secured placements for July 1, 2026 start dates, as recruitment continues. Local Health Outreach: Church of Pentecost launches free medical outreach at Abesewa, targeting thousands with screenings and specialist care.

Ebola alert at Ghana’s borders: Ghana’s Ministry of Health says there’s still no Ebola case in the country, but surveillance and screening at airports, seaports and land borders have been intensified after WHO and Africa CDC updates from DR Congo and Uganda. Health sovereignty push at WHA: President Mahama used the 79th World Health Assembly to argue for self-reliant African health systems, citing Ghana’s loss of about $78m after USAID health programme closures and warning that donor cuts are already disrupting malaria, maternal care, nutrition and HIV services. NHIS funding boost: He also said NHIS reforms removed funding caps, unlocking an extra GHS 3 billion, alongside digital tools to cut fraud and improve efficiency. Hypertension drive goes local: World Hypertension Day activities are underway nationwide with free blood pressure screening—Ketu North, Kadjebi and others are pushing early detection to prevent stroke and heart disease. Recruitment portal backlash: The Health Minister says the ongoing health worker recruitment is highly competitive due to over 100,000 unemployed professionals chasing 8,000 vacancies, with portal traffic causing delays.

World Health Alert: WHO has declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, citing cross-border risk and high mortality, as cases linked to Bundibugyo virus are reported and Uganda confirms an imported fatal case. Maternal Health Shock: WaterAid’s “Time to Deliver” spotlight shows Ghanaian mothers preparing for births with basic supplies because many facilities lack clean water, toilets, and hygiene support—fueling a two-tier birth crisis. Hypertension Gap: World Hypertension Day coverage shows the scale of the “silent killer” problem: hypertension affects about 34% of Ghanaians, but only 19% have it adequately controlled, despite millions of screenings. Health Data Sovereignty: Ghana refused a US health data agreement, warning it would outsource the country’s health data architecture and expose sensitive data. Economy vs Lived Reality: One analysis argues headline recovery indicators don’t match everyday hardship for workers and jobseekers.

Hypertension Push: PATH Ghana and the Ghana Health Service are stepping up public awareness for World Hypertension Day, urging regular blood pressure checks and better treatment adherence as hypertension is reported to affect about 34% of Ghanaians and is behind a large share of non-communicable deaths. Ebola Alert: WHO has declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern, with the crisis expanding beyond the initial hotspot in Ituri. Water Safety Worry: Ghana Water Limited has temporarily shut the Kpeve Water Treatment Plant in Ho due to extreme turbidity and unsafe raw water, raising fears of recurring shortages. Health Infrastructure: Work on an Owlo CHPS toilet facility in the Upper West Region is progressing steadily, aimed at improving hygiene. Emergency Care Abroad: Ghana’s Hajj medical team has secured a full operational licence to run clinics in Makkah for the 2026 pilgrimage. Public Health Risks: A Pokupharma warehouse in Fumesua was gutted by fire, destroying large quantities of medicines, though no casualties were reported.

Pharmacy supply hit: A Pokupharma warehouse at Fumesua (Ejisu) was gutted by fire, destroying large quantities of drugs; no casualties were reported and firefighters stopped flames spreading to a nearby two-storey building. Water safety alarm: In Ho and surrounding areas, Ghana Water Limited temporarily shut the Kpeve treatment plant due to extreme turbidity and pollution from siltation, raising fears of recurring shortages unless the intake buffer zone is protected. Hajj health milestone: Ghana’s Pilgrims Affairs Office medical team secured a full operational licence to run clinics in Makkah for the 2026 Hajj—moving from temporary arrangements to permanent accreditation. Community pressure on health access: Residents in Keta Central protested the siting of a 24-hour economy market and a UHAS pharmacy project outside their area, calling it unfair and politically motivated. Health system capacity: UHAS in Ho graduated 1,097 students and urged more government support to expand infrastructure, staffing, and new health-focused programmes.

Public Health & Safety: FDA has seized 140 boxes of banned alcoholic energy drinks in Ghana’s Upper East Region, warning that mixing alcohol with stimulants can mask intoxication and raise risks like alcohol poisoning and heart complications. Healthcare Capacity: UHAS says it needs more government support as it grows fast, graduating 1,097 students at its 10th Congregation and preparing new programmes from 2026/2027, including Health Data Science and Nursing leadership. Disaster Response: All ten trapped illegal miners in Ashanti have been rescued and are receiving hospital treatment after a Konongo pit collapse. Health Infrastructure: Government says it will fully recapitalise the Bank of Ghana by 2032, while President Mahama pushes STARR-J to end SHS double-track schooling by 2027 and commissions a PET scan facility. Community Care: A CHPS compound was handed over in Abrumase to bring primary care closer to residents, while Sekyere-East reports progress on infrastructure including health facilities. Health System Pressure: Korle Bu and NHIA-related stories continue to highlight staffing and arrears stress on service delivery. Workplace & Governance: Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye urged Zoomlion Kenya workers to prioritise competence and integrity as the firm expands waste management operations. Industry Risk: A Pokupharma warehouse fire in Fumesua destroyed large quantities of pharmaceutical products, with no casualties reported.

FDA Crackdown: The Food and Drugs Authority seized 140 boxes of banned alcoholic energy drinks in Ghana’s Upper East Region, including Bel Ice Vodka Energy Drink and Cody’s Vody Energy Mix, warning that mixing alcohol with stimulants can mask intoxication and raise the risk of alcohol poisoning and heart complications. Central Banking: Government reaffirmed plans to fully recapitalise the Bank of Ghana by 2032 after Parliament approved amendments to the central bank law, citing worsening negative equity and setting a gradual, even “automatic” recapitalisation approach. Health Tech Milestone: Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre commissioned a nuclear medicine facility with a cyclotron and PET-CT scanner, positioning it as a first-in-West-Africa diagnostic boost for cancer care. Policy Tension: A diesel bus deal for 300 buses is drawing climate-finance concerns because it may clash with Ghana’s Paris-aligned push for electric mobility. Pregnancy Warning: A UK-based researcher flagged potential contamination risks in ayilo (bentonite clay) eaten during pregnancy, citing lab work that found possible heavy metals and pathogens.