AGP Executive Report

Specialist Care Boost: Ghana Health Service DG Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea joined neurosurgery teams at Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) alongside a consultant from Mali, strengthening skills transfer and access to specialised surgery. Compassion in Care: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh visited Weija-Gbawe Children’s Specialist Hospital, urging staff to keep dignity and human compassion central even as AI supports workloads; he also directed deployment of 10 doctors and 30 nurses/midwives. NHIS Delivery Focus: NHIA’s Volta office unveiled a 2026–2029 roadmap to improve service delivery, strengthen NHIS sustainability, accelerate digital transformation, and build accountability. Pink October in Ho: Ghana’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month launched with calls for early detection, timely treatment, and better support for patients and families. Breast Cancer Data Push: Breast Society of Ghana stressed that late reporting drives deaths, while early detection can yield survival above 90%. WASH and Water Access: World Vision targets 90% universal WASH access in parts of Ahafo, and KSrelief/MAA will build 20 solar boreholes across five regions. Medicine in the Streets: A Volta Region investigation highlighted illegal “medicine in the streets” sales, urging stronger enforcement by FDA and Pharmacy Council. Health Innovation Expo: GHS called for low-cost, locally maintainable medical devices and better bed management/referral coordination.

Health Financing & Sovereignty: President Mahama urged African governments and investors to treat healthcare as an investable economic sector, not a budget burden, unveiling the HINGE platform to streamline pharmaceutical regulation and speed up health manufacturing across the continent. Maternal Health & WASH: Ghana Health Service warned that WASH gaps are undermining quality maternal and newborn care, citing erratic water supply and hygiene risks in facilities. Breast Cancer Push: MTN’s Sunyani SunCity Fest delivered free screenings, while Lordina Mahama and the Gender Ministry renewed calls for early breast cancer checks and stigma-free support. Local Health Services: A new clinic with maternity and vaccination wards was commissioned for Ayigya Zongo, and Weija Children’s Hospital was reported operational with expanded capacity and more health workers deployed. Access to Care: Ghana Card registration for children aged 6–14 was extended to North East and Upper East, and GHS urged journalists to amplify community voices in healthcare delivery. Sports Health: Aduana’s Remember Adomako-Boateng regained consciousness after collapsing during a league match, highlighting the need for prompt medical response.

Maternal health & WASH: The Ghana Health Service warns that unreliable water, sanitation and hygiene services are undermining quality maternal and newborn care in the Upper East Region, with erratic facility water supply raising infection-prevention risks. Breast cancer push: Lordina Mahama and the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month with calls for early detection and screening, while Tema East MP urges men to support women to seek care for warning signs. Community screening: MTN Suncity Festival in Sunyani delivered free health checks for hundreds, including hypertension, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis B and breast cancer screening. Health workforce & facilities: The Health Ministry orders deployment of additional workers to Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital, and Ghana’s health investment platform H-Enabler is unveiled to help innovators navigate regulation and commercialisation. Sanitation action: STMA carries out waste evacuation for National Sanitation Day, and Wa West’s Dorimon chiefs lead a clean-up with threats of sanctions for non-compliance. Eye care tech: Opticians are urged to adopt emerging technologies and expand quality eye care beyond major cities. Telecom resilience: A call is made for Ghana to plan for alternative routes when fibre disruptions hit mobile and data services. Water access: A former deputy minister provides two boreholes for communities in DBI District to ease potable water shortages.

Health Workforce: Ghana’s Ministry of Health announces a nationwide mop-up recruitment for nurses and pharmacy professionals (teaching hospitals 266 nursing posts; CHAG 133; GHS 30; pharmacy 36) on Oct 5 via mohrrecruitment.com. Mental Health & Wellness: Bel-Aqua ramps up its mental wellbeing push ahead of its 15th anniversary with workplace psychologist/psychiatrist sessions and a community health walk plus screenings. Maternal & Child Safety: FDA, backed by Ghana’s Consumer Protection Agency, destroys 28 bales of second-hand “bale diapers” over hygiene and undeclared allergen risks. Health Policy & Sovereignty: President Mahama urges African leaders to treat health as an investable sector, calling for local manufacturing and regional value chains; Ghana also signals a shift toward producing health products. Breast Cancer Awareness: GFA Foundation launches its October breast cancer awareness campaign, linking awareness with screening and education through football events. Community Health: Adaklu District marks National Sanitation Day as a public health duty, linking cleanliness to reduced malaria and cholera risks. Public Health Reporting: ApexnewsGh editor Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen wins Best Health Reporter at the Upper East GJA awards for a leprosy documentary. Emergency Response: A stampede at the NPP delegates conference in Kumasi injures at least three people, with responders struggling to reach victims due to crowd congestion.

Health Workforce: The Ministry of Health announces a nationwide mop-up recruitment for nurses and pharmacy professionals after applicants failed to report to assigned facilities, with 266 nursing posts in teaching hospitals, 133 in CHAG facilities, 30 in GHS, plus 36 pharmacy roles (5 pharmacists, 31 pharmacist technicians). Cancer Awareness: Ghana’s breast cancer push continues with the GFA Foundation launching its third October campaign since 2023, linking awareness to action through education and planned screening activities. Health Investment & Sovereignty: President Mahama, speaking at the Alamein Africa Forum, urged Africa to treat healthcare as an investable economic sector, highlighting Ghana’s move to expand NHIS and free primary care and to boost local health product manufacturing; he also unveiled HINGE to streamline regulation, clinical validation and commercialisation for health innovators. Public Health & Safety: A stampede at the NPP delegates conference in Kumasi left at least three injured, with emergency responders challenged by crowd congestion. Community Health: Ho Teaching Hospital reports progress in cancer treatment, while Weija Children’s Hospital is now operational with a 120-bed capacity and additional health worker deployment. Water & Sanitation: Adaklu Kpodzi marks National Sanitation Day as a public health duty, and Gomoa Amoanda receives a mechanised borehole to improve access to safe drinking water.

Workforce for Free Primary Care: GRNMA says Ghana’s proposed free primary healthcare will overwhelm nurses unless more are recruited and working conditions improve, warning that “free” services will drive higher patient attendance. Children’s Referral Upgrade: The Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital is now operational with a 120-bed capacity for outpatient and emergency care, and the Health Minister has ordered immediate deployment of 10 doctors and 30 nurses/midwives as it scales up inpatient services. Breast Cancer Push (Pinktober): Korle-Bu oncologist Dr Mary Ann Dadzie urged women not to ignore painless breast lumps, noting many patients stop treatment; Volta Region also reported 1,182 cases and 19 deaths since 2021. NHIS Claims Relief: The Private Health Facilities Association says NHIS reimbursements are improving in 2026, easing pressure on facilities after years of delayed payments. Community Accountability: GHS urged journalists to use Community Scorecards to amplify community voices and improve healthcare delivery. Health Access via Polyclinic: Interior Minister Muntaka commissioned a Qatar Charity-supported polyclinic in Ayigya to reduce pressure on Kumasi hospitals. Public Health Safety: Veterinary officials warned Dagaabas and Frafras against eating unvaccinated dog meat due to rabies risk. Labadi Beach Health Risks: SSNIT defended the La Beach demolition, citing safety, sanitation, and public-health hazards from encroachment.

Community Accountability in Healthcare: GHS urged journalists to use the Community Scorecard to amplify community voices, spotlight service gaps, and push practical improvements in care delivery. Primary Care Expansion: Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak commissioned a new Ayigya Polyclinic, linking better access to healthcare with national security and reduced pressure on major hospitals. Nursing Workforce Push: Korle Bu’s Dr Oliver Commey and GRNMA called for more nurse recruitment and better working conditions to sustain Free Primary Healthcare, warning that “free” services can overwhelm staff without support. Breast Cancer Focus (Pinktober): Volta Region reported 1,182 breast cancer cases and 19 deaths since 2021; Breast Society of Ghana and local leaders urged early screening and self-examination for better outcomes. Heart Health Policy: Stakeholders tasked the TFA technical working group to draft steps toward banning partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) and strengthening public awareness and testing capacity. Youth SRHR Services: UNFPA-supported AGP brought family planning, STI screening and treatment, and free condoms to out-of-school adolescents in Akatsi North. Neonatal Care Upgrade: Have Health Centre in Afadzato South is set to get a NICU to reduce referrals and save premature/critically ill newborns. Border Disease Surveillance: WHO urged stronger screening and surveillance at border points to prevent infectious disease spread. Drug Safety & Public Health: Police arrested three suspects over an alleged abduction case in Yendi, with victims later receiving medical attention.

Mercy Ships returns for specialist care: President John Dramani Mahama welcomed Global Mercy back to Ghana for its fifth mission since 1991, with a 10-month plan targeting at least 2,400 free surgeries and thousands of dental treatments, plus training for Ghanaian health professionals at Tema Port. Breast cancer push beyond awareness: The Gender Ministry and Deputy Health Minister launched Pink October, urging early action and faster diagnosis and treatment, warning that awareness alone won’t help without access to tests and care. Hospital capacity boost: Tamale Teaching Hospital doubled ICU beds from 4 to 8 and extended piped oxygen to critical units, including A&E and theatres, to strengthen emergency care. Older persons’ healthcare reform: Comi Relief Foundation (CRF) Global called for a dignity-first, coordinated approach for ageing Ghanaians, moving beyond symptom treatment. Targeted equipment support: Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) marked its first anniversary by equipping nine hospitals with ultrasound, oxygen concentrators/plant, X-ray machines and other critical tools. Health data sovereignty row: A policy brief backed Mahama’s Cabinet rejection of a US$109m health compact, citing concerns over patient records, pathogen data and FDA regulatory authority. Local access to care: Interior Minister Muntaka commissioned Qatar Charity’s Ayigya Zongo polyclinic to bring services closer, including a children’s ward and delivery room.

Maternal Health & Medicines: Advocates say pregnant women and communities should help design medicines and tools for pre-eclampsia and maternal anaemia, arguing women avoid drugs when they fear side effects and that Community Advisory Boards should shape what gets developed. HIV Testing Access: Ghana launched an online HIV self-testing platform (selftestghana.online) offering free kits (with possible delivery fees), plus prevention, treatment and counselling info and links to over 700 ART centres. Primary Health Care Push: WHO commended Upper East Region leadership for rolling out Free Primary Health Care, noting the region’s cross-border setting and pledging support for locally tailored implementation. Adolescent Sexual Health Tech: UTAS students launched SafeSiso, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot for private, confidential sexual and reproductive health questions for ages 10–19. Regulation & Consumer Safety: FDA and Consumer Protection Agency seized unapproved diapers in Upper East after complaints about quality and infant health risks. Public Health Risk Alert: Yellow fever has been confirmed in parts of the Upper West Region after mysterious deaths, with reactive health response underway. Health Governance: GMTF and HeFRA began talks on a partnership to strengthen healthcare regulation, facility monitoring and equipment management. U.S. Health Aid Update: The U.S. Embassy says health assistance to Ghana continues despite USAID closure, while Ghana’s rejection of a proposed health compact remains tied to patient data access concerns.

Cardiovascular Health Push: World Heart Day coverage highlights that cardiovascular disease and stroke drive major hospital deaths in Ghana, with WHO data cited showing about 18% of total deaths linked to CVD and hypertension affecting roughly 1 in 5 adults (about 3.7m), while many people have never checked blood sugar or cholesterol. Rabies Awareness in Schools: GES in the Western Region orders school heads to intensify rabies education for pupils, stressing dog vaccination, safe animal behaviour, prompt reporting, and immediate medical care after bites. Autism Screening Call: Special needs experts in Koforidua urge early autism screening and tailored intervention, noting autism is a neurodevelopmental condition and early support can leverage children’s brain development. WHO Research Collaboration: WHO’s Ghana representative visits Navrongo Health Research Centre, calling for stronger research partnerships to shape evidence-based health policies. Breast Cancer Alarm: Ghana’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month launch reports over 5,000 cases annually and 2,695 deaths, with many patients presenting at advanced stages—pushing “early action, better outcomes.” Health Workforce Training: The first cohort of specialist nursing trainees returns to class after exams and practicals, as government expands specialist nursing to strengthen care capacity. Patient Communication Tech: KNUST researchers develop “SignTalk-Gh,” an AI-assisted Ghanaian Sign Language healthcare translation model using a curated dataset for better access to medical communication. Scholarship to Pharmacy Dream: MTN Bright Scholarship helps a Navrongo student complete a Doctor of Pharmacy programme by covering tuition and accommodation.

Digital Health & Insurance: DOSH Health Insurance was named Outstanding Digital Health Insurance Company of the Year at the 9th Ghana Business Standard Awards, highlighting its “digital-first” sign-up and premium management via the DOSH is life app, WhatsApp, USSD and MTN MoMo. Nutrition & Public Health: Vice-President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang urged sustained, multi-sector investment to tackle malnutrition, calling it a barrier to children’s growth, learning and women’s health. Health Tech in Care: A report on African medical AI start-ups notes how image-based diagnostics can support clinicians beyond big hospitals, but stresses it can’t replace trained staff, referral systems or reliable equipment. Workforce & Access: Ghanaian nurses heading to Saint Kitts and Nevis will get enhanced, legally protected labour benefits under a new bilateral agreement. Road Safety (Health Link): Police are preparing TRAFFITECH-GH automated enforcement from 1 November, targeting speeding and other offences with electronic notices. Environmental Health Risk: Families in Ashaiman face hidden lead exposure from informal battery recycling, with experts warning of long-term harm to children. Emergency Response: GNFS rescued a driver trapped in an overturned tipper truck at Bolgatanga East and handed him to ambulance and hospital care.

Health Governance & Accountability: Ghana’s Auditor-General says an online tracker will go live in October to monitor audit recommendation implementation, as Parliament’s PAC flags GH¢280.5m in unpaid surcharges. Sickle Cell Education & Stigma: Focus on Sickle Cell Foundation pushes for age-appropriate sickle cell education in Ghana’s school curriculum, stressing stigma reduction alongside screening and care. Border Health Surveillance: WHO calls for stronger screening and referral systems at Ghana’s borders, warning that mobile populations can accelerate infectious disease spread. Research-to-Care Link: UGMC research leaders urge deliberate pathways from laboratory findings to patient treatment, highlighting “bench to bedside” work. Medicines & Port Delays: Importers ask FDA to fix delays in issuing import codes and permits, warning that slow approvals can stall clearance of regulated consignments. Food & Nutrition Signals: Market price updates show vegetables easing while chicken and ginger stay costly, with tilapia and some meats trending down. Public Health Infrastructure: GNFS finds 23 non-functional fire hydrants at the Ministries enclave, including gaps at key institutions like GHS, raising emergency readiness concerns. Community Health & Wellness: A free Zumba and wellness session is set for Accra, promoting movement for mental and physical well-being. Health & Society: “Celebrity Nurse” urges people to seek medical care first instead of spiritualising treatable conditions.

US–Ghana Health Data Sovereignty: President Mahama says Ghana rejected a US health compact worth about $109m over five years, calling conditions “humiliating” after demands for pathogen profiles and medical records, plus limits on Ghana’s FDA oversight of imported medicines. Health Workforce & Mobility: Ghana and Saint Kitts and Nevis signed an additional labour deal guaranteeing enhanced, legally protected conditions for Ghanaian nurses, including higher salaries, health insurance and rent allowance. AI for Care: KNUST is exploring a partnership with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to pilot AI-driven tools in real health facilities, aiming to improve service efficiency and patient outcomes. Rabies Prevention Push: About 9,456 dogs and cats have been vaccinated so far in Ghana’s free rabies campaign, with the target raised to 40,000 as officials stress rabies is preventable but fatal once symptoms appear. WASH in Clinics: Women in Bongo petitioned the district assembly to fund WASH in healthcare facilities, linking poor sanitation to infection control, maternal and newborn safety. Northern Connectivity & Care: An MP urged telecom operators and the NCA to address Northern Ghana network disruptions, warning delays can affect emergency response and healthcare access.

Maternal Health: UNFPA is urging Ghana to strengthen rural health worker retention, boost domestic funding for life-saving family planning supplies, and improve social mobilization under PRIMER, as maternal deaths remain high (234 per 100,000 live births). Health Workforce: Jamaica has welcomed the first cohort of 43 Ghanaian specialist nurses under a bilateral health agreement aimed at deploying up to 400 healthcare workers, with most assigned to regional health authorities. Policy & Sovereignty: President Mahama says Ghana rejected a proposed US health compact because it demanded Ghana’s pathogen profile and medical records, required counterpart funding, and would exempt imported medicines from FDA inspection—calling it “humiliating.” Waste & Public Health: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga will visit the Adipa landfill in the Eastern Region with engineers after residents’ concerns about waste transfers from Agbogbloshie and possible groundwater contamination. Road Safety: Four died in an Accra-Kumasi crash involving a Toyota Voxy and MAN trailer at Anyinasin Junction; two vehicles also collided at Tsibu-Bethel Junction, injuring passengers sent to Peki Government Hospital. Health Systems & Access: GAPTE plans a contra-flow bus priority system on key Accra corridors to ease peak-hour travel for workers and health professionals.

Road Safety: Two people died after a Hyundai H100 bus and a Ford tractor crashed on the Kpetoe–Sarakope stretch of the Accra–Aflao Highway; 14 were rescued and taken to Ho Teaching Hospital. Nutrition Policy: Prof. Anna Lartey urged Ghana to impose restrictive taxes on unhealthy foods and curb advertising of fast foods, junk foods, sugar and unnatural soft drinks to make healthy eating easier. Childhood Cancer Support: Ridge Hospital launched the “Go Yellow” campaign to raise funds for children with cancer, citing rising patient numbers and limited treatment space. Digital Health: OneHealthEHR went live in Liberia and Ghana, expanding from four facilities to seven in weeks with an offline-first approach for weak connectivity. Mental Health & Doctors’ Wellbeing: Ghana Medical Trust Fund stories highlight how support is restoring doctors’ mental health and enabling complex care. Cancer Care Access: A new 10-bed cancer treatment centre is being built at St. Anthony Hospital after a sod-cutting ceremony and community support. Food & Health Tech: Octaplus Health unveiled Xaida, an AI digital character to make health insurance communication more accessible, especially for younger people.

SGBV Justice Push: Upper East gender officials urged families to stop handling defilement cases privately and instead let police and prosecutors act, citing reports of teenage pregnancies including about 49 girls aged 10–14 reported as pregnant. Adolescent Health Tech: UTAS students launched SafeSiso, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot giving confidential sexual and reproductive health information for ages 10–19, linking users to support services. Hospital Clean-Up & Equipment: Petrosol Platinum Energy cleaned Wa Municipal Hospital grounds to reduce snake/rodent risks and plans to donate medical equipment. Water Governance Lesson: A Ghana desalination study highlights that safe water depends not just on building plants, but on due diligence, coordination, and long-term financial sustainability. Tobacco & NCD Awareness: Health messaging continues around rising non-communicable diseases and the need for science-led action, including warning labels for childhood obesity risks. Housing & Health Access: Republic Bank-JoyNews Habitat Fair Clinic wraps up at Junction Mall, offering mortgage and home solutions that can indirectly support healthier living conditions. Local Health Projects: Sissala East MP handed over DACF-funded projects including a CHPS compound and sanitation works. Food Security Inputs: MoFA and ABC Oyeasase Yie signed an MoU to set up a $50m organic fertiliser blending facility in the Eastern Region.