The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has hinted that, In 2023 alone, Tuberculosis (TB) killed 13,200 Ghanaians. This, he said, is unacceptable and called for stakeholders’ support to end this menace.
According to the Hon. Minister, stigma, limited access to diagnostic tools, and insufficient funding are major challenges, and addressing these barriers is critical to achieving our goal.
Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh made this known at the launch of 2025 World TB Day here in Accra. The theme for this year’s observation is; “Yes! We Can End TB! Commit, Invest, Deliver,”
He said that ending TB requires commitment from everyone: the government, healthcare providers, civil society, the private sector, and the public. The government is determined to:
• increase funding for TB control activities, including essential logistics and medical supplies. Improve access to diagnostic tools like GeneXpert machines and digital X-rays. Strengthen healthcare systems to ensure no TB patient goes undiagnosed or untreated, he added.
He noted that Ghana is committed to achieving the END TB Target by 2030. He said to do this, partnerships are crucial, collaboration with civil society and the private sector has improved community outreach and reduced stigma. “We must expand these efforts to reach more people and save more lives,” he said.
Hon Mintah Akandoh reiterates his Ministry’s Investment in Healthcare Workforce Development: Building the capacity of healthcare professionals is key to ensuring timely and accurate TB diagnosis and treatment. “By equipping our workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge, we can improve outcomes for TB patients,” he added.
He observed that “Strengthening Research into New Treatment Options and Vaccines: Encouraging innovation through local research is crucial. Investing in the development of improved treatment regimens and effective vaccines will enhance our ability to combat TB more effectively.”
By Tony Goodman
