AGP Executive Report

Environmental Enforcement: Ghana’s EPA has ordered Ponlok Company in Shai to stop operations over continuous smoke emissions and other breaches, including weak pollution controls, poor waste handling and oil spills—warning compliance is non-negotiable. Community Health Access: Kwadaso Assembly has commissioned a CHPS compound with nurses’ accommodation for Nyankyerenease, aiming to bring care closer to households and support free primary healthcare. Patient Safety in Hospitals: Greater Accra Regional Hospital management reiterated its commitment to patient safety, stressing that late diagnosis, infection lapses and wrong-patient drug errors undermine quality care. Nutrition & Child Health: An editorial warns processed and ultra-processed foods are fueling obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes in younger people, calling for stronger protection for children. Teen Pregnancy & Schooling: Gender Minister Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey says girls who become pregnant in school must not automatically drop out, with prevention and protection measures across education, health and social protection. Drug Control Push: Parliament’s Majority Caucus calls for tighter coordination among security agencies to dismantle drug trafficking networks, citing a rise in arrests. Water & Health Infrastructure: Gold Fields Ghana Foundation handed over a 40,000-litre small-town water system for Brahabobom to improve access to safe water and sanitation.

UNGA Health Push: President Mahama used the 81st UN General Assembly to spotlight Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare and MahamaCare (Ghana Medical Trust Fund), saying democracy must deliver real access to healthcare, food, education and decent housing. Climate & Health Equity: He also framed climate change as the “ultimate test of global equity,” citing Ghana’s June floods and calling for predictable, non-debt climate finance. Primary Care Accountability: The Ministry of Health’s Tony Goodman said the Agenda 111 hospital programme was “badly implemented,” with funding gaps and scattered spending—pushing a phased approach to finish what can be completed. Maternal & Child Health Support: The First Lady urged investment in resilient healthcare systems for mothers and children, linking health with education and women’s economic empowerment. Nutrition in Schools: WFP commended Savana Signatures for school-based nutrition education and WASH-linked behaviour change in northern Ghana. Community Health Supplies: ECG’s Power Queens Club donated key antenatal and monitoring items to Tema Urban Hospital. Legal Health-Related Case: High Court denied bail for “Ghana Jollof” accused Salomey Awity Bafoh, citing risks around investigations. Health Promotion Through Music: Dr Oduro blends pharmacy and hiplife to promote preventive health, including sodium reduction and more physical activity.

Maternal & child health: Ghana’s First Lady Lordina Mahama urged African leaders in New York to build resilient healthcare systems that reach every mother and child, linking maternal care with HIV prevention, early screening and nutrition. NCD prevention & pharmacy role: Vice-President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang called on pharmacists to do more than dispense—pushing prevention, early detection and safe medicine use—while warning that regulation must keep pace with digital health. Tobacco control: WHO warned that shisha, vapes and other nicotine products could erode Ghana’s tobacco gains, especially among young people. Childhood obesity & warning labels: MoH and SEND Ghana launched a mass media push for front-of-pack warning labels as childhood obesity and NCDs rise. WASH investment: World Vision Ghana announced a US$51m WASH programme (2027–2030) targeting unserved communities, schools and healthcare facilities. Water crisis resolved: The Mfantseman MP restored 24-hour running water to Saltpond Municipal Hospital after a nine-month shutdown, citing infection prevention risks. Sanitation action: Government began emergency evacuation of about one million tonnes of waste at Agbogbloshie to reduce flooding and support redevelopment.

Childhood Cancer Support: Ridge Hospital and Cure Childhood Cancer Ghana Foundation launched the Go Yellow Campaign to fund tests, treatment, counselling and transport for children with cancer, citing rising patient numbers and limited paediatric oncology capacity. Health Financing Sovereignty: President Mahama used the Accra Reset platform to push “health sovereignty,” calling for less foreign aid dependence and more local pharmaceutical manufacturing and state-backed medicine purchasing. Tax Compliance for Health Systems: Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson urged Ghanaians to request VAT invoices as GRA rolls out a nationwide VAT compliance drive, linking better compliance to national development including health. Hospital Infrastructure Risk: NPP’s Okoe Boye warned about about US$390m spent on stalled Agenda 111 hospitals, saying facilities could deteriorate and may need extra funding to restore before new regional referral hospitals proceed. Emergency Care Readiness: National Ambulance Service launched “Operation Restore Fleet” to reduce downtime by repairing grounded ambulances and clearing those beyond economic repair. Public Health & Safety in Markets: CDA Consult urged consumers to become “final inspectors” against counterfeit and expired products, saying regulators can’t police every stall and online seller. Girls’ Education: CAMFED director called for prioritising girls’ education to improve health outcomes and economic empowerment, launching a 2026 convening at KNUST. Sports Minister on Astroturf: Sports and Recreation Minister raised concerns that replacing natural grass with astroturf could affect environment, public health and athlete development.

Nursing & care-first tech: A new piece argues Ghana’s healthcare should embrace tools that help nurses spot trends, manage records and coordinate faster—but warns technology must never replace the human bedside work that catches hidden pain, fear and confusion. WHO & health financing reform: WHO commended the Ghana Medical Trust Fund’s first-year progress, while President Mahama used UNGA81 to push “Accra Reset” reforms for Global South control over health financing and local production. Pharmacy self-reliance: The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana renewed plans to raise local medicine production from about 30% to 70% by 2035, stressing regulation and manufacturing capacity. Water crisis accountability: Ghana’s Teshie-Nungua desalination deal is linked to a major liability after the plant shut and arbitration fallout, reigniting calls for smarter water business models. Public health policy: Ghana’s push for safer care for NCD patients and stronger systems for patient safety continues, alongside WHO’s push for new male contraceptive criteria. Community health & access: KATH is working to complete a hostel for relatives of in-patients, easing pressure on families travelling from across the country. Food safety & heavy metals: Ghana launched a national plan to tackle heavy metals in food, as regulators also move against unregistered baby diapers. Climate & displacement risk: ECOWAS warns climate change could displace up to 32 million people in West Africa by 2050, with women and children most affected.

Patient Support at KATH: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is working to complete a hostel for relatives of in-patients, after contractor delays left the project almost done but not finished. NCD Safety Push: The Ghana Health Service marked National Patient Safety Day by calling for stronger systems, patient navigation, and better primary care follow-up for people living with diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Clinical Trials Boost: Ghana is strengthening capacity to run high-quality clinical trials, with WHO and EU-backed support for 15 public and private institutions. Public Health Capacity: WHO handed ICT and media equipment to the University of Ghana School of Public Health to improve teaching, research and emergency preparedness. Maternal Care Upgrade: Work has started on a new 400-bed maternity block at Korle Bu to expand obstetrics, neonatal and related services. Road Crash Readiness: Oti’s health directorate is proposing an emergency trauma and accident centre along the Dambai corridor. Food Safety: Ghana launched a five-year plan to cut heavy metals in food, with special focus on children and pregnant women. Drug Trafficking Alarm: Catholic Bishops urged urgent action after a major cocaine seizure in France allegedly linked to Ghana.

Public Health Emergency: Residents of Mafi Kope in Oti Region say a mysterious illness is affecting children and adults, with reports of sores and children struggling to walk and hear, but no official diagnosis or case count has been shared yet. Immunisation Financing: Health stakeholders are urging Ghana to fully fund immunisation ahead of its GAVI exit in 2030, warning that delays could reverse child health gains. Research & Disease Control: WANETAM-4 has launched a five-year programme to strengthen TB, HIV and malaria research, training, and lab capacity across West Africa. Maternal & Child Health Focus: President Mahama says maternal and child health will be the first “test” of the Accra Reset, linking health outcomes to sovereignty and better governance. Health Sovereignty & Local Pharma: Mahama also pushed for local production of essential medicines, backed by state purchasing and market access. Prison Health: Prostate Health Foundation Ghana calls for annual prostate screening for prisoners, starting with a nationwide screening programme. Sanitation & Health Risks: Jamestown landfill evacuation is underway, aimed at reducing long-running environmental and health concerns. Food Safety: Ghana launches a national plan to tackle heavy metals in food. Diaspora Health Governance: Mahama’s Accra Reset dialogue highlights a push for Global South control over health financing and priorities.

NCD Care & Patient Safety: FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital’s Dr Francis Addai urged stronger patient education for non-communicable diseases, saying health workers contribute only about 30–40% while 60–70% depends on patients’ commitment to lifestyle, screening and adherence. Cancer Surge: A Lancet Oncology study using Global Burden of Disease data reports cancer incident cases in Africa rose 229% from 1990 to 2023, with major burdens from breast, cervical, prostate, liver and colorectal cancers. Community Health Access: Ayawaso North residents received free screening and NHIS registration through a sponsored exercise by MP Yussif Issaka Jajah, including malaria, BP/diabetes, Hepatitis B, eye checks and referrals. Water & Health: Gold Fields Ghana Foundation handed over a GH¢616,858 small-town water system to Brahabobom, adding boreholes and standpipes to improve safe water and hygiene. Disinformation in Ghana: A Penplusbytes study recommends a language-centred approach to fight misinformation, noting most Ghanaians use local languages daily while fact-check tools often don’t. Public Health Environment: World Cleanup Day calls for action beyond street sweeping, linking plastic pollution and illegal mining to cleaner, healthier communities. Health System Under Strain Globally: A report warns US aid withdrawals are increasing pressure on healthcare across Africa and the Global South.

Child Health & Nutrition: MrBeast’s Beast Philanthropy says it built Abna Dakwa Village in Ghana with a school for 300+ children, a medical clinic, clean water, solar power, farms and fish tanks—plus Rockefeller Foundation support for free school meals for five years. NCDs & Prevention: Ghana Health Service’s NCD programme warns NCDs account for 45% of deaths, urging earlier screening, healthier eating and faith-based support for people living with chronic illness. Childhood Cancer Awareness: Upper East Regional Hospital’s Paediatric Oncology Unit sensitised nursing trainees on early warning signs of childhood cancer as part of its “Gold Ribbon Upper East” campaign. Yellow Fever Alert: Sissala East confirms yellow fever after 21 “mysterious deaths,” with reactive clinician training and more samples sent for testing. Mysterious Illness in Oti: Mafi Kope community appeals for urgent help after children struggle to walk and hear, with adults reporting sores and private-part symptoms. Health System Workforce: Newly graduated Ghanaian doctors in Cuba say they’re stranded and unpaid for months, asking President Mahama to order their return. Education Safety: GES tells SHS/SHTS not to reject boarding students over metal trunks or chop boxes if items are safe and don’t endanger others. Health Governance & Accountability: Foreign Affairs Minister Ablakwa requests a special Auditor-General audit of Ghana’s evacuation spending since 2017, including the GH¢49.7m South Africa operation.

Yellow Fever Alert: Sissala East confirms yellow fever after 21 alleged mysterious deaths; one of four blood samples tested positive, with more samples taken and clinicians trained for reactive case management. Unknown Illness in Oti Region: Mafi Kope residents report a prolonged illness affecting children and adults—children with sores and trouble walking and hearing, and adults with genital sores—urging urgent screening, diagnosis and treatment. Cassava Safety: Health education highlights that improperly processed cassava can release cyanide and is linked to konzo, stressing correct processing to prevent poisoning and neurological harm. Buruli Ulcer Warning: A feature explains Buruli ulcer as a painless, neglected tropical skin disease that can progress to disabling ulcers if not treated early. Agbogbloshie Waste Evacuation: President Mahama launches a 90-day emergency operation to remove about one million tonnes of waste from Agbogbloshie to Adepa Engineered Landfill, citing public health and flooding risks. Free Primary Care Push: Upper East Region leads Ghana’s Free Primary Health Care rollout, aiming to bring prevention and early detection to underserved communities. Patient Rights in Focus: A commentary urges Ghanaians to know and exercise patient rights during care, not just accept instructions. Medical Workforce Concern: Ghanaian medical graduates stranded in Cuba appeal to President Mahama to secure their return, warning delays may affect licensing and clinical attachment timelines. School Admission Policy: GES orders schools to stop rejecting newly admitted students over metal trunks or chop boxes if items are safe and reasonably sized.

Sanitation & Public Health: President Mahama has commissioned a National Emergency Waste Evacuation Exercise at Agbogbloshie, aiming to move about one million tonnes of accumulated waste to the Adepa Engineered Landfill near Nsawam within 90 days, citing major health and environmental risks to nearby communities and waterways. Disease Watch: Sissala East has confirmed yellow fever after “mysterious deaths,” with reactive steps including clinician sensitisation and more samples sent for testing. Immunisation & Prevention: Ghana has started free rabies vaccination for 25,000 dogs and cats in high-risk areas, urging bite reporting and annual pet vaccination. Adolescent Health: Stakeholders are pushing for better coordination to tackle adolescent sexual and reproductive health challenges, citing 53,415 adolescent pregnancies recorded at health facilities from January to July 2026. Nutrition in Schools: Savana Signatures, with WFP support, is running nutrition-focused social and behavioural change communication in selected Upper East districts. Health System Capacity: ADB Ghana Medical Systems supports the $100m Otumfuo Cancer Centre project in Kumasi, set to expand advanced cancer care. Food Safety: FDA in Bono seized 57,000 unregistered baby diapers in market enforcement. Clinical Care & Training: Deputy Health Minister Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah urged military nurses and midwives to uphold compassionate, high-quality service. Community Health Alerts: Residents of Mafi Kope report an illness affecting children and adults, calling for urgent screening and treatment. Medical Workforce: Stranded Ghanaian medical graduates in Cuba appeal to Mahama for immediate return to complete clinical attachment and licensing steps.

Yellow Fever Alert: Ghana’s Sissala East confirms yellow fever after mysterious deaths; samples tested in Accra found one positive case and health teams have started reactive clinician training. Sanitation & Public Health: President Mahama orders a 90-day Agbogbloshie waste clearance to protect public health and stop illegal dumping, with waste to be moved to Adepa Engineered Landfill near Nsawam. Food Safety: Ghana launches a National Strategic Plan to cut heavy metals in food, targeting lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, with FDA-linked contamination findings prompting stronger surveillance and regulation. Immunisation Financing: CSOs urge clear budget lines for vaccines and immunisation commodities, plus new financing ideas to keep primary healthcare funding sustainable. Adolescent Health: Stakeholders call for better coordination on adolescent sexual and reproductive health after facility data showed 53,415 adolescent pregnancies (including 1,501 aged 10–14) in early 2026. Rabies Prevention: Free rabies vaccination begins for 25,000 pets in high-risk areas, with public education and bite reporting urged. Market Safety: FDA seizes 57,000 unregistered baby diapers in Bono markets as part of enforcement against unsafe consumer goods. Care Quality: World Patient Safety Day at Pantang highlights safer NCD care through better communication, documentation, medication safety and patient-centred follow-up. Health Infrastructure: Krachi East MCE inspects a ward block project at Dambai Polyclinic to reduce referrals and expand inpatient services. Community Health Urgency: Mafi Kope residents in Oti Region appeal for urgent medical help after an illness affecting children and adults causes sores and hearing problems.

Adolescent Health: The National Population Council urged sustained collaboration among government, development partners and stakeholders to close gaps in sexual and reproductive health programmes for adolescents, calling for coordinated action after progress reviews at a high-level meeting in Accra. Substance Use & Rehab Funding: NACOC began talks with WAPCAS Plus and Open Society Foundations on sustainable funding for the Substance Use Disorders and Rehabilitation Fund, including harm-reduction guidelines and a nationwide survey to track emerging drug-use trends. Health Workforce Mobility: Ghana Enterprises Agency says a new MoU with Columbus, Ohio and Ghana’s Labour and Health ministries will create structured pathways for qualified Ghanaian health professionals—especially nurses—to work in the US. Teen Pregnancy: Ghana Health Service reported 53,415 adolescent pregnancies in seven months, including 1,501 among girls aged 10–14, urging stronger multisectoral action to prevent teenage pregnancy. Food Safety: Ghana launched a five-year national plan (2026–2030) to cut toxic heavy metals in food, targeting lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic with stronger regulation, surveillance and public education. Patient Safety for NCDs: World Patient Safety Day discussions highlighted safer care across the full NCD journey, stressing monitoring, safe medication practices and follow-up. Public Health & Environment: President Mahama launched a 90-day operation to evacuate about one million tonnes of waste from Agbogbloshie to Adepa Engineered Landfill, aiming to reduce health risks from toxic pollution. Education Access: GES directed SHSs and SHTSs to stop turning away duly admitted boarding students over trunks or chop boxes, saying schools must not discriminate based on parents’ ability to buy specific storage items. Accountability on Evacuations: Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry asked the Auditor-General for a special audit of emergency evacuation spending since 2017, including the South Africa operation, to strengthen controls and assess use of public funds.

Food Safety & Regulation: Bono FDA seized 57,000 unregistered baby diapers at major markets in Sunyani, Berekum and Dormaa, warning against fake, expired and unwholesome products. NCD Prevention: SEND Ghana and partners launched a push for front-of-pack warning labels on foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fats, citing NCDs as ~45% of deaths. HIV in Children: Ghana AIDS Commission called for stronger prevention, early testing and PMTCT support to reverse HIV spread among children, noting 1,227 new child infections in 2025. Maternal & Child Health Access: President Mahama commissioned the evacuation of Agbogloshie waste heaps to Adepa Landfill to cut public health risks, while also linking the reclaimed area to an industrial park plan. Community Health Infrastructure: Krachi East MP and MCE handed over a health facility, classroom block, teacher housing and mechanised boreholes to improve access to care and safe water. Cancer Awareness: UPNMG donated GH¢5,000 to support activities at the Paediatric Oncology Unit in Upper East Regional Hospital for Gold Ribbon Month. Research & Health Tech: KNUST set to commission a Photonics and Optics Laboratory to support health-related detection work, including identifying substandard medicines.

Adolescent Health Crisis: Ghana Health Service reports 53,415 adolescent pregnancies at facilities from Jan–July 2026, including 1,501 cases among girls aged 10–14, with Savannah and Upper East flagged for the highest shares—raising urgent child protection and prevention concerns. NCD Prevention Push: SEND Ghana launches a front-of-package warning label campaign to help people spot unhealthy nutrition and reduce non-communicable diseases, with officials noting NCDs drive a large share of deaths. Sanitation Upgrade: KoKMA inaugurates a new Tudu sanitation facility (17 toilet seats plus bathhouse) to curb open urination and improve public health. Maternal & Child Protection Funding Gap: A Volta DCE calls for dedicated DACF allocations for child protection, saying current funding limits local implementation. Food Security Stress: Tomato farmers in Anloga-Avume report post-harvest losses as crates are scarce and buyers absent, threatening livelihoods and national supply. Kidney Care Gap: A report highlights dialysis access as a “death sentence” for many patients, with low national coverage and specialist shortages. Child Labour Enforcement: Labour Department and IJM train law enforcement to better identify and respond to child labour and trafficking cases.

Patient Safety & NCDs: Ghana marks National Patient Safety Day with calls to make safe care the “heartbeat” of the health system, as non-communicable diseases drive a large share of deaths and early detection is pushed as key. Food Policy: The Ministry of Health launches a front-of-package warning label campaign to help Ghanaians cut sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, warning that NCDs account for nearly 45% of deaths and that children need earlier diet education. Maternal Health & Community Action: UNFPA urges better distribution of health workers and steady access to reproductive health commodities to reduce maternal deaths, while a West Mamprusi NGO rolls out a community-led microgrant programme for 100 communities to fund their own priorities. Adolescent Health: Ghana records 53,415 teenage pregnancies in seven months, adding pressure on prevention and youth-focused support. Dementia Focus: WHO says dementia is rising across Africa, costing families heavily and stressing the need for national plans and caregiver support. Health System Access: Kpando Municipal Assembly commissions projects including a CHPS compound and nurses’ quarters, and installs classroom blocks to support safer community services. Public Health & Justice: Police explain the arrest of a Techiman nurse over alleged links to “Ghana Jollof” videos, as bail demands grow amid claims suspicion is not evidence. Road Safety: GCB’s “Helmet On, Life On” campaign trains riders across Accra’s CBD to reduce motorcycle-related injuries. Environment & Health Risks: Weto Platform raises alarms over borrow pits from road construction in the Akwapim-Togo Mountain Range, linking damage to flooding, mudslides and threats to streams and fishing.