AGP Executive Report

Medicolegal & facility safety: Ghana Health Service medical-legal claims have hit about GH¢400m in three years, with cases rising sharply from 40 (2023) to 89 (2025), raising financial and public-trust fears. Sanitation gap: A WHO/UNICEF assessment finds only 16% of Ghana health facilities meet basic sanitation standards; about 5 in 6 fall short, affecting patients and staff. Public health preparedness: Ghana has stepped up Ebola surveillance at entry points and health facilities after rising cases in the DRC, with support for testing reagents and response capacity. Local health systems & access: The FDA reported a GH¢70m surplus in 2025 but flagged ageing lab equipment and illicit products as risks; meanwhile, the Ministry of Health urged smarter, faster regulation to protect public health. Medicines & research: PharmaVax Ghana awarded €2m to eight projects to boost local vaccine and medicine development, while GMTF explores local production of cancer and cardiovascular drugs. Education & child safety: GES interdicted two Bolgatanga Girls SHS watchmen over alleged sexual assault of a special needs student; Eduwatch calls for an urgent independent review of any disciplinary action against the child. WASH after floods: Zoomlion began fumigation and disinfection in Western Region flood-affected areas to curb outbreaks like cholera and malaria.

Adolescent SRHR Access: An endline evaluation of Ghana’s SHARE project flags a painful gap in the Upper East: boys aged 15–19 in Saboro were reportedly denied condoms by service providers, even as knowledge and confidence improved—privacy and embarrassment still block care-seeking. Youth Drug Prevention: NACOC’s DG urged Ghanaian youth to stay away from emerging drugs, warning of organ damage and calling for treatment and rehabilitation, not stigma. Kidney Care Boost: Upper West Regional Hospital received GH¢4m to expand renal care, adding six dialysis machines and training to cut travel burdens for Chronic Kidney Disease patients. Polio Update: WHO says poliovirus type 2 outbreaks are now over in Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Congo and Uganda after targeted vaccination and surveillance. Health System & Governance: Ghana’s NMC reconstituted boards of state media bodies, while a court case reinstated a chess instructor—both not health-specific, but they reflect rights and accountability themes relevant to public trust. Health-Adjacent Policy: GMTF’s administrator challenged mining firms to invest more in local healthcare as part of a real social licence to operate. Regional Migration Watch: Liberia plans to receive 1,200 US “third-country” deportees over a year, with the first 20 expected soon—medically cleared arrivals raise public health and protection questions.

Emergency Care Upgrade: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says Ghana will procure 100 new ambulances for the National Ambulance Service in 2027, with 30 already retrieved for refurbishment—aimed at boosting pre-hospital emergency response. Public Health Warning: A study highlights that seven in 10 women in Greater Accra take antibiotics monthly without prescriptions, a practice experts link to antimicrobial resistance and worsening health outcomes. Maternal & Adolescent Health: In Ashanti, the Gender Department flags rising teenage pregnancy and calls for stronger adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, while UNFPA and partners engage parents on adolescent reproductive health in the Eastern Region. NHIS Access Support: Upper West students and disaster-affected residents received free NHIS registrations and renewals via a PSGH-NHIS outreach to remove cost barriers to care. Road Safety: Six people were injured after a Toyota Corolla plunged into the Birim River on the Accra–Kumasi highway; causes are under investigation. Health System Resilience: WHO and Ghana Health Service visited Ahafo to advance priority health goals, as Africa pushes to integrate non-communicable disease care into UHC reforms.

Renal Care Expansion: Upper West Regional Hospital received GH₵4 million to expand its renal care unit, adding six dialysis machines and staff training to cut the burden on CKD patients who often travel long distances. Food Safety & Regulation: The FDA raised alarms about porous borders and “unapproved routes,” saying limited staffing at border posts makes it hard to stop sub-standard food and medicines. Fruit-Ripening Crackdown: After concerns and a viral video, the FDA and market task forces moved against alleged unapproved chemicals used to ripen bananas and plantains—though questions remain about whether sanctions were fully disclosed. Public Health Misinformation: A report warns that many women in Greater Accra take antibiotics monthly after menstruation, fueling antimicrobial resistance and echoing a wider West African pattern. Surgical Access Boost: Mercy Ships returned to Ghana with its largest hospital ship, offering free surgical care for months under Ghana’s universal health coverage push. Cocoa Risk: A super El Niño threatens Ghana’s cocoa comeback, with output projected to fall 16%, putting farmer incomes and the wider chocolate market under pressure. Road Safety: Another multi-vehicle crash on the Ofankor–Pokuase corridor left one seriously injured and worsened traffic delays, reviving calls for stronger prevention. Flood Relief Pressure: Totopey residents say stagnant floodwaters still block return to homes nearly seven weeks after the June 29 floods, raising sanitation and water-related disease fears.

Illegal Mining Crackdown: GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour urged Ghana to tackle galamsey beyond miners by targeting financiers, equipment suppliers and gold buyers, arguing the illegal gold economy is sustained by a wider network. Community-Centred Mining: Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II warned mining companies that social licence can be withdrawn if host communities are left worse off, stressing land must be reclaimed and benefits must last beyond extraction. Health Research—Hepatitis B: Ho Teaching Hospital is running a study on Hepatitis B detection among pregnant women; early results from 90 participants show 13 positive cases, highlighting the need for early screening to protect mothers and babies. Kidney Care Costs: Kidney patients appealed for support as the high cost of specialized low-sodium/low-potassium diets still burdens families despite free NHIS dialysis. WASH for Schools: Concerned Hearts Foundation Ghana, with WEFTA, handed over WASH facilities (rainwater harvesting and toilets) to Mafi Afleavenu D.A. Primary School to improve safe water and sanitation for pupils. Road Safety: GNFS reported a Suhum crash where a man was rescued from a Kia Rio after a Kia Rio–Ford F-150 collision; wrongful overtaking was cited. Flood Preparedness: University of Ghana’s Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe called for a coordinated flood-management approach that includes safety, evacuation and victims’ psychological needs.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA warned traders and the public against selling or consuming flood-affected food and beverages, saying washing and repackaging doesn’t make products safe after floodwater contamination. Food Safety Watch: The FDA also cautioned against using chemicals to force-ripen plantains, after a viral Madina Market video linked the substance Ethemax to harmful health risks; traders involved face regulatory action. Public Health & Services: IOM Ghana and AMA launched an Accra Migrant Integration Initiative, including a pilot to help over 200 migrants get national IDs and enroll in NHIS to improve access to essential services. Maternal Health: Midwives at Jasikan Municipal Hospital delivered a baby roadside after a woman was stranded in advanced labour; mother and newborn were later taken for assessment. Road Safety & Emergency Response: GNFS rescued a trapped man after a Suhum crash and transported him to Suhum Government Hospital; the cause was attributed to wrongful overtaking. Health Infrastructure Politics: Oti NPP executives complained that Agenda 111 health facilities and other projects are stalled, saying they’re “gathering dust” while residents suffer. Cocoa Livelihoods: Young cocoa farmers petitioned President Mahama over uncertainty ahead of the 2026/27 season, citing funding gaps for minor-season purchases and impacts on income, healthcare and school fees. Agriculture Inputs: TCDA launched nationwide distribution of tree crop inputs for the 2026 planting season, targeting about 1.6 million households. Governance & Accountability: A 20-month audit piece argues for tougher accountability and reshuffles ahead of a 2027 transition.

Food Safety Alerts: The FDA warned traders and the public against selling or consuming flood-affected food and beverages, after investigations found bottled water and soft drinks washed and repackaged for resale; it said floodwater can carry sewage and contaminants and that cleaning the outside doesn’t make contents safe. Chemical Misuse Warning: The FDA also cautioned against using chemicals to force-ripen plantain, following a viral video; it identified the product as Ethemax (ethephon) and warned that unauthorised or incorrect use can leave harmful residues. Maternal Health in Action: Jasikan Municipal Hospital midwives helped deliver a baby at the roadside after a woman in advanced labour was stranded, then transported mother and newborn for assessment. Reproductive Care Milestone: Northern Ghana welcomed its first IVF baby at Aisha Hospital in Tamale, a breakthrough for couples who previously had to travel for fertility treatment. Public Health Gap: A new report highlights hepatitis B as a “silent epidemic” in Ghana, with millions living with chronic infection but very low diagnosis and treatment coverage. Workplace/Service Continuity: GTEC ordered senior officials involved in GAUA/TUSAAG strikes to resume work immediately or face reporting within 48 hours, warning universities not to disrupt exams and essential services. Road Safety & Access: A new DVLA office opened in Asuogyaman to improve licensing access and curb fake documents, alongside plans for tech-based traffic enforcement. SRHR Education: The SHARE project reported improved SRHR knowledge and confidence among adolescents in Upper East districts after its endline evaluation. Community Sanitation: A church-led clean-up at Akim Asene Health Centre urged youth to support sanitation as a shared responsibility.

Free Primary Health Care rollout: The Ghana Health Service says community and home-based health workers under FPHC will get scannable ID cards with security codes to stop imposters. Primary care medicines: President Mahama says Ghana will expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing to cut the 70% import dependence and lower FPHC medicine costs. Maternal health pressure: Ashanti’s maternal mortality figures are under scrutiny, with officials pointing to referral delays and staffing gaps, including high referral proportions reaching KATH. Antibiotic resistance in the elderly: A CSIR-WRI study in Greater Accra care homes reports high drug-resistant urinary germs among older adults, warning against improper antibiotic use. Health system logistics: Thirty ambulances parked at Burma Camp are being handed to National Security for refurbishment and integration into emergency response. Child welfare & education: MoGCSP urges stronger support so teenage mothers can return to school, aiming for zero child marriage by 2030. Oral health and NCDs: A dental surgeon links gum disease to worse diabetes control and hypertension, urging better oral hygiene. Road safety: Two separate Kasoa–Winneba crashes report deaths and multiple injuries, with investigations ongoing. Drug control partnership: Ghana and the Netherlands sign a pact to intensify action against illicit drugs and criminal proceeds.

Free Primary Healthcare & NHIS Push: Ghana’s Health Ministry has kicked off a three-day mid-year review in Ho to track delivery of NDC 2024 manifesto health promises, including Free Primary Healthcare, MahamaCare, NHIS expansion, facility retooling, specialised nursing programmes, and stalled regional hospital projects. Antimicrobial Resistance Watch: A new study in Greater Accra care homes found high rates of drug-resistant urinary pathogens among Ghanaian elderly, raising concerns about antibiotic misuse and the need for stronger antimicrobial stewardship. Governance in Health Institutions: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh urged boards to stick to oversight and avoid interfering in day-to-day management, warning against governance-management overlap and imprudent spending. Local Health Support: Dr Thomas Anaba donated two pick-ups to boost emergency referrals in Garu and Binduri, while Kacstone Records supplied ENT equipment to the Airborne Force Medical Centre in Tamale. Sanitation & Access: Ho Central MP commissioned an EcoSan toilet facility in Sokode Ando, and Kadjebi stakeholders renewed calls for a bridge over River Asukwakwa at Dodo-Bethel to protect schoolchildren and residents during rains. Public Health & Safety: CHRAJ cautioned the public against giving gifts to public office holders, and experts urged a victim-centred approach to human trafficking reporting and response. Health-linked Tragedy: A Ghanaian evacuee died shortly after landing at Accra Airport, with officials confirming a medical emergency on arrival.

Free Primary Health Care: The Ghana Health Service says community and home-based health workers under the Free Primary Health Care programme will get staff ID cards with unique security codes, so the public can scan and verify genuine personnel and curb impersonation. FPHC Funding: Government has released GH¢443 million to retool facilities for FPHC, including GH¢36 million to 107 district health facilities, with Upper East getting about GH¢4.2 million paid directly to facilities to reduce delays at the point of care. Maternal Health Push: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged urgent, practical action to cut preventable maternal deaths, calling on frontline health workers to avoid negligence and urging pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics. Immunisation Support in Conflict Areas: GHS DG Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea handed over two EPI pick-up vehicles to Garu and Binduri to help staff reach communities in the Bawku enclave, citing safety needs. Malaria Watch: Kadjebi District reports malaria as the top disease in the first half of 2026, with 10,752 cases—up 22.6% from the same period in 2025—prompting calls for stronger prevention and early treatment. Health & Safety at Airports: Ghana’s Foreign Affairs reports a Ghanaian evacuee from South Africa died shortly after arrival at Kotoka/Accra International Airport despite emergency medical attention. Neonatal Care Boost: Rotary Club of Accra Airport Enclave donated a phototherapy machine to Ussher Hospital to support newborn jaundice treatment.

Free Primary Health Care Funding: Government released GH¢443m to retool facilities for the Free Primary Health Care programme, including GH¢36m to 107 district facilities and direct payments to Upper East facilities to cut delays at the point of care. Maternal Health Push: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged urgent, practical action to reduce preventable maternal deaths, calling for professionalism from frontline staff and regular antenatal care. Child Health Support: Rotary Club of Accra Airport Enclave donated a phototherapy machine to Ussher Hospital to help treat newborn jaundice. Immunisation Logistics in Conflict Areas: GHS DG Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea handed over two Toyota pick-ups for EPI to Garu and Binduri to support staff movement in the Bawku enclave. Nutrition in School Feeding: Government reaffirmed its nutrition reforms under the School Feeding Programme, training caterers and cooks on food safety and healthy meal preparation. Local Health System Strain: Akatsi South Assembly member petitioned President Mahama over a long-running ambulance crisis, saying the lack of emergency transport since 2019 is a public health emergency. Disease Watch: Kadjebi District reported malaria as the top disease in the first half of 2026, with cases rising year-on-year despite SMC and nets. Health Recognition: Pediatric oncologist Dr Emmanuella Amoako won IHME’s 2026 Roux Prize for evidence-driven improvements in childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment in Ghana.

Emergency Care & Safety: A Ghanaian repatriated from South Africa died shortly after arrival at Accra International Airport, with doctors confirming death at 6:55pm after a health emergency worsened about 30 minutes before landing; the Police Hospital will conduct an autopsy and the Foreign Affairs Ministry says it will update the family. Childhood Cancer Breakthrough: Cape Coast Teaching Hospital pediatric oncologist Dr. Emmanuella Amoako won IHME’s 2026 Roux Prize ($100,000) for evidence-driven work improving early diagnosis, expanding access to treatment, and strengthening locally led childhood cancer research. Liver Cancer & Hepatitis B: A gastroenterologist says about 75% of Ghana’s liver cancer cases are linked to chronic hepatitis B, urging earlier testing and treatment to prevent late-stage disease. Maternal/Neonatal Gaps: Wa Municipal Hospital is appealing for urgent support over deteriorating infrastructure, obsolete equipment, debts, and lack of key newborn care tools like incubators and CPAP. Free Primary Health Care Push: President Mahama says Ghana will expand Free Primary Health Care to all districts by 2028, alongside calls to strengthen the nursing workforce and improve NHIS funding. Health System Accountability: RANA is asking the Ministry of Health for details on proposed private partnerships to complete and operate Agenda 111 hospitals, including contracts, ownership and financial terms. Cancer Awareness (Men): A urologist urges young men (15–40) to seek screening for painless testicular swelling or heaviness, warning that delayed care worsens outcomes. Food Safety & Nutrition: Reports highlight health risks from smuggled rice and stress that reducing post-harvest losses can improve access to nutritious foods.

Free Primary Health Care rollout: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says FPHC will reach all 261 districts by end-2028, starting with 150 underserved districts, supported by 24,000+ medical equipment and about 9,000 health kits (Upper East: ~1,320), with services covering prevention and treatment for conditions like malaria, respiratory illness and diarrhoea. Health system push: GHS boss Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea urges stakeholders to ensure quality care is brought closer to communities, not delayed by distance. Medicine security: President Mahama announces a five-year plan to expand Ghana’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to cut reliance on imported medicines (currently ~70%), lower costs and strengthen FPHC drug supply. Water for schools: CRS and Water Access Now build a borehole for Depali T. I Ahmadiyya Basic School in Savelugu to improve safe water for hygiene and community use. Food safety warning: A Wenchi environmentalist condemns butchers singeing animals with used car tyres, warning of toxic chemicals and cancer risk. Local health research: UHAS students report lab findings suggesting watermelon rind/peel may target prostate cancer cells, while another study investigates bitter melon leaf compounds for antioxidant activity. Workplace health: A report highlights unsafe practices at Ghana construction sites and the weak protection for the largely informal workforce.

Health Workforce & Infrastructure: President Mahama backs a UTAS medical school in Navrongo and says funding is secured to complete an abandoned science laboratory project, aiming to expand Ghana’s doctor pipeline. Drug Use & HIV Risk: NACOC estimates 82,500 Ghanaians use hard drugs (excluding cannabis) and links hard drug use in Ashanti to higher HIV prevalence (6.6%). Road Safety (Major Trauma): Ofankor crash kills 11 and injures 13 on the Accra-Kumasi highway; NRSA is probing whether a broken-down “aboboyaa” triggered the chain collision. Youth Mental Health: Activista Ghana calls for safe spaces for young people to discuss mental health without stigma, with a focus on northern Ghana. Adolescent Health: Akatsi South records 177 teenage pregnancies in six months, including cases involving girls aged 10–14, prompting calls for multi-sector action. Public Health Policy: Attorney-General Ayine says National Cathedral spending could have completed stalled Agenda 111 hospitals, reigniting debate on health infrastructure priorities. Substance Abuse Education: NACOC warns youth that cannabis can impair memory and decision-making despite being plant-based. WASH & Climate Resilience: WaterAid launches a $150,000 climate-resilient WASH project in Upper East to support women-led solutions in vulnerable districts. Healthcare Access Partnerships: KOFIH and The Bank Hospital sign an agreement to improve care access for about 500 Koreans in Ghana.

Injury & Emergency Response: Death toll rose to 12 with at least 22 injured after a multi-vehicle crash on the Pokuase–Achimota stretch of the Accra–Kumasi Highway, as police and hospitals continue assessments. Road Safety & Media Ethics: Another highway crash near Bunso (MAN truck and Toyota Hiace) killed 1 and injured 14; meanwhile, an MP urged media to stop sharing graphic crash footage to protect families from added trauma. Primary Healthcare Access: NHIA released 13 staff to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund after a one-year secondment, supporting the fund’s setup and operations. Diabetes Research: A new Ghana-focused study examined factors linked to glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes using the PRECEDE–PROCEED model. Cancer Care Pathways: A Ghana breast-symptom study highlights gaps after referral—some women miss biopsies and treatment even after reaching hospitals. Drug & Substance Abuse Prevention: NCCE and GHS sensitised 800 pupils in Sissala West on dangers of alcohol, tramadol, marijuana and misuse of prescription medicines. Community Health Award: Accra-based Last Mile Health won the 2026 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize for strengthening community primary care in remote areas across four countries. Workplace Health Disruption: GAUA strike disrupted outpatient and pharmacy services at UG Hospital, with patients appealing for urgent resolution. Maternal Health Progress: Upper West recorded a 45% drop in maternal deaths ahead of free primary healthcare rollout.

Road Safety: At Ofankor on the Accra–Kumasi Highway, a multi-vehicle crash involving a tipper truck, Sprinter bus and tricycle has left at least 10 feared dead and several others critically injured as rescue teams work amid traffic disruptions. Drug Use & Youth Risk: NACOC says 10% of people who use drugs in Ghana started before age 15, with 82,500 estimated users nationwide (16,300 in Ashanti), urging early prevention and stronger support for young people. Health Services Disruption: Legon Hospital suspended OPD, specialist clinics and pharmacy counselling due to the GAUA strike, while emergency services remain open. HIV & Community Care: GOSANET Foundation stresses that ending AIDS needs community-based approaches like HIV self-testing plus education, trust, confidentiality and referral pathways. Women’s Health Leadership: A 12-month West Africa midwifery leadership programme is training 30 women leaders to influence health systems and improve maternal and newborn outcomes. Sanitation Watch: Traders at Accra’s Tudu trotro stop report an uncollected refuse heap turning into a public health hazard, with fears of cholera and malaria. Finance for Health & Wellbeing: Health Minister reports 99% of 13,500 nurses and midwives recruited in 2024 have received salary arrears after financial clearance.