AGP Executive Report

Free Primary Health Care push: Ghana Health Service says Free Primary Health Care district selection is based on deprivation and access gaps, not politics, with emphasis on hard-to-reach areas like the Afram Plains. Workforce scaling: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says 16,000 health professionals are being recruited for FPHC, with 8,000 already posted, and President Mahama adds a 20% salary incentive for staff accepting postings to underserved areas. Primary care closer to people: A “health kiosk” has been commissioned at Sogakope Market to offer free screening and triage, while Mahama also announced more kiosks at markets and lorry stations linked digitally to district hospitals for telemedicine. Hospital staffing strain: Upper East Regional Hospital’s medical director appeals for more staff and funding, citing ICU shortages affecting specialist care. Menstrual health affordability: FEAD-Ghana calls for complete removal of taxes on menstrual products and support for local eco-friendly producers. Public health basics: Parents are urged to teach children personal hygiene, including oral and menstrual hygiene.

Free Primary Health Care push: Ghana’s Health Service says FPHC district selection is based on deprivation and access gaps—not politics—while President Mahama insists FPHC complements NHIS (NHIS card still needed for higher-level care). Workforce incentives: Government plans to recruit 16,000 health workers for FPHC, with a 20% basic-salary incentive for postings to underserved areas. Primary care closer to people: Health kiosks are being commissioned at markets like Sogakope, and more kiosks are planned for lorry stations, with screening for conditions such as hypertension. Mental health: WHO-linked reporting says Ghana saw a 3.8% rise in suicide cases (2024–25), with calls to “start the conversation.” Menstrual health: FEAD-Ghana urges removal of taxes on menstrual products to improve affordability. Drug trafficking & safety: NACOC calls for stronger regional cooperation as Ghana reports major arrests and seizures, including tramadol tablets. WASH funding: WaterAid warns slow release of WASH funds is undermining water and sanitation resilience. Child protection: A Bolgatanga Girls’ SHS abuse case spotlights the need for survivor-centred safeguarding in schools.

Deprived-area health staffing: President Mahama has activated the Deprived Area Incentive package, promising a 20% basic salary incentive for health workers who accept postings to underserved communities, alongside better roads, water, electricity and facility equipment. Cardiac and cancer capacity: Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) says it will expand beyond paying bills to building specialised centres, including cardiac catheterisation units at Komfo Anokye and Tamale Teaching Hospitals, an oncology/nuclear medicine centre at Korle Bu, and a US$10m diagnostic and imaging centre at Greater Accra Regional Hospital. Heart disease awareness: Korle Bu’s National Cardiothoracic Centre launched the 2026 World Heart Awareness Month, urging Ghanaians to get screened for hypertension and other cardiovascular risks. Child cancer push: Upper East Regional Hospital’s paediatric oncology team launched Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, calling for early recognition and timely treatment of warning signs. Market health and typhoid: A report highlights how dirty water, informal food vending and weak enforcement keep typhoid circulating, stressing safe water, sanitation, hygiene and vaccination. Disability inclusion in mental health: Mental Health Society of Ghana (MEHSOG) urged policymakers to include persons with disabilities in policy design, implementation and budgeting. Neonatal support: ICAG’s Kascity District Society donated GH¢31,626 worth of equipment to Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital’s newborn and kids ward. Public health nutrition message: Ghana Health Service urged food vendors and parents to stop placing salt on tables to curb excessive salt intake and reduce NCD risk. Health worker safety and justice: A court remanded a security guard accused of murdering Dr Jesse Amuah and his wife after a GH¢1,500 payment dispute.

Cardiovascular Health Push: The National Cardiothoracic Centre (Korle-Bu) launched the 2026 World Heart Awareness Month, urging Ghanaians to get regular blood pressure checks and adopt heart-healthy habits as hypertension often shows no warning signs. Salted Fish & Hypertension: A cardiologist advised Ghanaians to cut back on high-sodium salted fish like koobi and momoni, stressing moderation to reduce blood pressure and heart risk. Food Safety for Smoked Fish: CSIR-Food Research Institute trained fish processors in several regions on safer smoking technologies, hygienic handling, and reducing harmful contaminants linked to traditional ovens. Free Primary Healthcare Rollout: Health Minister calls for district directors to take ownership of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative, with coverage expanding across districts. Child Protection in Fishing Areas: North Tongu District Assembly says it is prosecuting child exploitation cases and has rescued and rehabilitated children from hazardous fishing work. Road Safety Tragedy: A crash on the Hwideim-Acherensua Highway killed 7 and injured 21, with victims treated at St Elizabeth Hospital. Health System & Governance: IMF warns Ghana’s state-owned enterprises face rising debt and political interference, undermining governance and accountability. Public Health & GBV Services: CHRAJ and UNFPA intensified efforts against sexual and gender-based violence, strengthening access to health, psychosocial, legal and social support. Coastal Resilience: Ghana targets restoring 200 hectares of degraded mangroves by October to protect communities from erosion and flooding. Kidnapping Rescue: Police rescued a man allegedly abducted at Assin Fosu and are working to arrest suspects.

Suicide Prevention Push: WHO says 3.8% of Ghanaian adults have considered suicide and 2.3% attempted, with young people flagged as a key risk group; GASP also urges open, supportive conversations and better links to care. Free Primary Healthcare Rollout: The Health Ministry and partners keep expanding the Free Primary Healthcare programme, with Ada East District starting registration for house-to-house data collection ahead of service delivery, and the Upper East Hospital getting a ministerial commendation and support pledge. Cardio Risk Alert: A Korle Bu cardiologist warns Ghanaians to moderate koobi and momoni (salted fish) due to high sodium, linking excess intake to hypertension and heart disease. Hypertension Awareness: World Heart Day organisers stress that over 70% of people with hypertension are unaware, urging screening and lifestyle changes. Cancer Support: Provident Insurance backs prostate cancer early detection and childhood cancer initiatives with Korle Bu specialists. Health System Gaps: GMTF says it is moving beyond paying bills to build cardiac, cancer and diagnostic capacity. Road Safety: A fatal tipper crash in Kumasi left one dead and several injured. Public Health Infrastructure: MoFFA gives Battor mortuary annex 14 days to account for a missing body. Kidnapping Warning: Assin Fosu kidnapping details highlight organised ransom tactics and the need for stronger response.

Polio & routine immunisation push: eHealth Africa reports 23 million children vaccinated against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases across 205,000+ settlements in Nigeria in the first half of 2026, using digital microplans and improved vaccine delivery. HIV/TB rights & coordination: GAC and CHRAJ end a two-day training workshop calling for stronger stakeholder collaboration to hit the 95-95-95 HIV target and reduce stigma around HIV and TB. WASH funding call: GWJN and WaterAid Ghana urge government to boost public investment in water, sanitation and hygiene, saying Ghana needs about $1.7bn annually to meet requirements. Free surgeries return: Mercy Ships resumes in Ghana after 19 years, with the Global Mercy set to deliver 1,900–2,600 free surgeries and 1,600–2,000 dental treatments until June 2027. Suicide prevention focus: WHO says 3.8% of adults in Ghana have considered suicide and 2.3% attempted it; TOLECGH and the Mental Health Authority stress compassion, early help, and reducing access to common means. Flood health protection: Zoomlion runs disinfection/disinfestation across Volta Region public facilities after floods, targeting malaria and waterborne disease risks. Drug safety warning: FDA warns the public about falsified “Dr Alfred” capsules adulterated with sildenafil and says genuine products are registered and differ in packaging. Workforce pressures: HSWU says about 15,000 public health workers earn around GH¢600 monthly on average, urging better pay and retirement planning.

Surgical Care Boost: Mercy Ships’ hospital ship Global Mercy has returned to Ghana for free surgeries and dental care after 19 years, docking at Tema until June 2027; the programme expects 1,900–2,600 surgeries and 1,600–2,000 dental treatments, while mentoring Ghanaian clinicians amid specialist shortages. Cancer Numbers: Ghana’s cancer burden remains alarming, with 27,385 new cases and 17,944 deaths estimated for 2022, and liver cancer flagged for very high mortality; fundraising is pushing for an Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence. Child Health Warning: Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents, linked to unhealthy diets, sugary snacks and drinks, and sedentary lifestyles—doctors urge portion control and regular activity. HIV & TB Rights: CHRAJ is calling for stronger public education and stakeholder collaboration to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination and improve access to healthcare and legal support. Free Primary Healthcare Rollout: Upper East Region is now fully covered in the first phase of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare programme, with emphasis on deploying health workers and community awareness. Clean Schools Initiative: Six Accra schools are piloting cleaner air and waste segregation systems to improve environmental management and student wellbeing. Malaria Focus: World Malaria Day reminders highlight the need to understand and target malaria-carrying mosquitoes as climate shifts disease patterns.

HIV & Rights: Ghana AIDS Commission says the country recorded 13,795 new HIV infections, urging prevention and use of PrEP/PEP while CHRAJ pushes stronger legal support and public education to cut stigma and discrimination. Cardiovascular Health: Cardiothoracic Centre warns over 70% of people with hypertension are unaware, calling for regular blood pressure checks ahead of World Heart Day. Sanitation & Public Health: Ho sanitation authorities move to prosecute alleged human excreta dumping at Glala Street, after residents reported stench, flies and health concerns. Medical Oxygen Supply: Indo-Ghana begins local liquid oxygen supply, with Lekma Hospital installing cryogenic storage to reduce cylinder-related delays and shortages. Childhood Cancer: Upper East Regional Hospital launches childhood cancer awareness (Gold Ribbon), urging early recognition and timely treatment. Sickle Cell Awareness: FoSCel urges young women to ask partners about genotype early to reduce risk of sickle cell disease in children. Health Infrastructure & Jobs: Ghana Tourism Authority and Africa’s Brain Bank break ground for a Global Medical City in Ada to boost medical tourism and local healthcare capacity.

Drug Safety Alert: FDA warns the public against falsified “Dr Alfred Capsules” sold online, saying lab tests found undeclared sildenafil citrate and that the genuine product is a registered dietary supplement made in Indonesia. Public Health Access: Free Primary Health Care is now running in 135 districts through 4,447 facilities (CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics), with equipment, motorbikes and outreach kits distributed to support community delivery. Cancer Burden: Ghana recorded an estimated 27,385 new cancer cases and 17,944 cancer deaths in 2022, with breast, liver and cervical cancers among the leading diagnoses and causes of death. Hospital Support: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital praises the Ghana Medical Trust Fund for over GH¢4m in endoscopy and other medical equipment to strengthen specialised care. Community Health Screening: GCGL will hold a free Adabraka health screening on Sept 19, including NHIS card registration/renewal and tests for malaria, diabetes, hepatitis and more. Youth & Drug Abuse: Zongo community liaison Sarki Alhaji Baba Sule urges Muslim leaders and Imams to intensify education against tramadol, marijuana and other drug abuse. Accountability in Evacuation Spend: Minority MPs demand an itemised, public account of nearly GH¢50m spent on evacuating and reintegrating Ghanaians from South Africa amid calls for transparency. Nutrition Tip: Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says skipping breakfast should not be promoted as a guaranteed weight-loss strategy.

Free Primary Healthcare Rollout: Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare programme is now live in 135 districts, with 4,574 facilities enrolled as the Health Minister pushes nationwide coverage toward 2027. Hospital Equipment Boost: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) received over GH¢4m in medical equipment and consumables from the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, including a new endoscopy tower and jaundice meters. Childhood Cancer Focus: Upper East Regional Hospital launched its Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (“Gold Ribbon”), highlighting the need to improve cancer care for vulnerable children. Emergency Transport for Rural Care: Rotary and Moving Health commissioned five tricycle ambulances for deprived communities in Wa East and Wa West, aiming to reduce preventable deaths during referrals. Menstrual Health Education: A new push argues menstrual health education must become a national priority, tackling silence and misinformation that leave girls without guidance. Air Quality & Eye Health: Ghana and Africa face major health risks from air pollution and blue light exposure, with reports urging stronger public protection and awareness. Sickle Cell Treatment Access: WHO-backed efforts are linking local drugmakers to wider hydroxyurea access, including child-friendly formulations. South Africa Evacuation Costs: Government disclosed GH¢49.7m spent evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from xenophobic violence, including medical care and reintegration support.

Free Primary Healthcare Rollout: Ghana has started the Free Primary Healthcare programme in 135 districts, with 4,574 facilities (3,781 CHPS compounds, 746 health centres and 48 polyclinics) already implementing, as the Ministry targets nationwide coverage by end-2027. Renal Care & Patient Safety: A family of a dialysis patient at Tamale Teaching Hospital alleges a power outage during treatment led to oxygen failure and the patient’s death, reigniting concerns about continuity of care. Dialysis Stress & Access Gaps: At Ridge Hospital’s dialysis centre, a psychologist says the mental burden of kidney disease—plus travel costs for patients from the north—often goes untreated, even as clinical care continues. Blood Pressure Screening on the Road: In Atebubu Amantin, commercial drivers with very high systolic BP (over 200mmHg) are barred from driving for the day during community screening under the Free Primary Healthcare push. Health, Weight & Chronic Disease: A hospital CEO warns overweight and obesity are rising, citing WHO data and linking excess weight to high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes risk. Education + Health Link: MTN Bright Scholarship stories highlight how funding can keep medical students in school, while a clean-air and waste segregation pilot launches in six Accra SHSs to protect students’ health. Diaspora Support: Foreign Affairs says it will set up a Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund for emergency help abroad, following the end of the South Africa evacuation exercise.

Free Primary Healthcare Rollout: Ghana has started free primary healthcare in 135 districts, with 4,574 facilities joining (3,781 CHPS compounds, 746 health centres, 48 polyclinics) and over 24,500 equipment items distributed to support prevention and early detection. Maternal Health Support: The Ghana Health Service’s Pregnancy School initiative is praised in Kwabre East for improving antenatal education, including focus on pre-eclampsia and danger signs. Cancer Burden & Care Expansion: Breast Care International and Peace and Love Hospitals report 27,385 new cancer cases and 17,944 cancer deaths in 2022, urging faster access to comprehensive cancer services and backing an Otumfuo Osei Tutu II cancer centre. Blood Donation Guidance: Tattooed people can donate blood after a six-month waiting period, with recruiters stressing sterilisation and bloodborne infection risk checks. Public Health & Safety: Police arrested a key suspect in the murder of Dr Jesse Amuah and his wife, while Africa CDC warns that rumours can fuel deadly “genital theft” panic. Community Water Stress: Kadjebi communities have faced running-water shortages since Aug 31 after a burst pipeline, raising public health concerns. Sanitation Enforcement: Kpone-Katamanso Assembly plans stricter sanitation by-law enforcement in Akansah after repeated breaches.

Vaccine & Pharma Push: Ghana signed an agreement to join the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM), aiming to give local manufacturers steadier demand and wider access to the continental market. Sanitation, Not Politics: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga urged citizens, churches, businesses and parties to tackle sanitation together, warning against dumping sachet-water waste in drains and littering from vehicles. Rural Connectivity Upgrade: Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George called for upgrading rural telephony from 2G/3G to at least 4G to support education, markets and business access. Maternal Health Focus: A report notes maternal deaths in Africa remain high and largely preventable, with delays in care and weak facility readiness still driving risk. Health Workforce Signal: Coverage highlights midwives as key to maternal and newborn survival, reinforcing the need to strengthen frontline staffing. Food Safety & Regulation: FDA ordered a recall of Arcan Bitters over sildenafil adulteration, underscoring ongoing medicine quality checks. Galamsey Warning: Commentaries argue Ghana’s galamsey fight is failing without stronger forward-looking intelligence and action, linking environmental harm to health impacts. Human Trafficking Case: A court sentenced a food vendor to seven years hard labour for trafficking and prostitution.

Health Policy & Planning: A new “spectrum approach” urges Ghana’s health policymakers to treat both scientific and local know-how as valid inputs when mapping health decisions, aiming to widen what counts as “evidence.” Cancer Care Capacity: A Council of State member backs talks on a cancer research centre for Ghana and West Africa, citing gaps in modern radiotherapy equipment like LINAC and calling for stronger people, equipment and partnerships—not just buildings. Breast Cancer & Women’s Health: A breast cancer survivor, Miriam Ablah Anani, speaks on stigma, infertility abandonment and the financial strain of treatment, pushing early care. Regulation & Medicines: The FDA orders a recall of Arcan Bitters after sildenafil adulteration. Flood Response: DirectAid Ghana wraps up June flood relief in Greater Accra and Kasoa, with food and household items and plans to support clinics and hospitals with medical supplies. Community Health & Environment: Zoomlion and assemblies intensify disinfection after rains and flooding, while PRESED runs clean-air engagements with persons with disabilities in Accra and Kumasi. Telecom for Health Access: Government plans to upgrade rural telephony sites to at least 4G to improve access to digital services in underserved areas.

Rural Connectivity Upgrade: Ghana’s Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George says government will upgrade all Rural Telephony Project sites to at least 4G nationwide, after inspecting Eastern Region sites, to improve speed, reduce congestion and prepare for future 5G/6G. Clean Air & Sanitation: PRESED is taking its clean air campaign to persons with disabilities in Accra and Kumasi, while Zoomlion and assemblies in the North East and Bono East are running fumigation/disinfection drives at hospitals, CHPS compounds, markets, toilets and schools to cut disease risks after heavy rains. Cancer Capacity Push: Council of State member Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple backs talks for a cancer research centre in Volta, citing gaps in modern radiotherapy equipment like LINAC. Child Rights: A child advocate is urging government to create safe, child-friendly platforms so children can be heard in decisions affecting their education, health and safety. Traditional Medicine Regulation: TMPC says fewer than 15% of traditional medicine practitioners are registered, urging the public to use only licensed practitioners and FDA-linked products. Health in the Spotlight: A breast cancer survivor, Miriam Ablah Anani, speaks on stigma, infertility and the need for early care.

Traditional Medicine Regulation: Ghana’s Traditional Medicine Practice Council says fewer than 15% of over 100,000 traditional medicine practitioners are registered, making oversight harder; the TMPC has inspected 500+ premises, shut some for public health risks, and urges Ghanaians to patronise only licensed practitioners and products with QR-verifiable licences. Rural Connectivity for Health Access: Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George says rural telephony calls and data will get cheaper by Q1 2027, and all Rural Telephony Project sites will be upgraded to at least 4G to improve digital services in underserved communities. Flood Sanitation Push: Zoomlion, with assemblies, has intensified disinfection and fumigation across Bono East and the Upper West after heavy rains and flooding, targeting markets, toilets, drains, slaughterhouses, dumps and health facilities to reduce disease risks. Primary Healthcare Update: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh will brief the media on Monday on progress of the Free Primary Healthcare programme launched in April 2026. Facility Upgrade: Ho Technical University Clinic has been upgraded to a Primary Hospital after HeFRA inspection, with reported growth in OPD, ANC and deliveries. Workplace Safety Lesson: A new piece highlights how workplace violence can start with threats and intimidation, urging early action and stronger security in healthcare settings.