Speaking to Adom News correspondent Isaac K. Normanyo after the programme, Dr Anna Amankwaah, Resident Paediatrician at the Bekwai Municipal Hospital, said the day is worth celebrating due to the hospital’s high success rate in treating premature newborns.

She advised expectant mothers to prioritise proper antenatal care over self-medication, stressing that the best health services for both mothers and babies can only be obtained in a hospital setting.

Queen Elizabeth Sarkodie, mother of a premature baby, praised the hospital’s services, urging all mothers to trust Ghanaian medical practitioners.

She described the Bekwai Municipal Hospital as “very excellent” in saving the lives of pre-term babies.

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Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Investment in Newborn Health: Giving Preterm Babies a Strong Start, Rev. Mensah said the statistics on child mortality — particularly deaths within the first five years of life — were shocking and must not be treated as “just another set of numbers.”

“It’s the first time I’ve really heard about the data on how many children die within the first five years. The numbers are staggering. It’s like one and a half times a stadium full.

“We shouldn’t allow Prof’s data to become a conversation that fizzles out. We must take a critical look at the number of children we are losing and reduce it as much as we can,” he said.

Rev. Mensah stressed that the figures should trigger urgent national action, noting that Ghana spends significant resources on many areas, yet the protection of human life — particularly the lives of children — should be treated as the highest priority.

“The numbers are embarrassing to the nation.”

Rev. Mensah’s comments follow a presentation by Prof. Alexander Manu, Director of the Institute of Health Research at UHAS, who revealed stark statistics on child survival in Ghana over the years.

Prof. Manu noted that in 2000, Ghana recorded 67,273 deaths of children under five, while in 2023 the figure had reduced to 32,579, indicating progress but still reflecting thousands of preventable deaths.

He explained that for newborns specifically, neonatal deaths stood at 25,193 in 2000, and 18,856 in 2023, a decline that nonetheless shows newborns continue to account for a significant share of child mortality.

Rev. Mensah urged policymakers, churches, civil society, and the health sector to unite in reducing these numbers, insisting that Ghana’s future depends on protecting its youngest citizens.

He warned that failing to act would mean losing not just children, but the potential leaders, innovators, and contributors to the nation’s development.

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Speaking during the JoyNews National Dialogue on Investment in Newborn Health: Giving Preterm Babies a Strong Start, Prof. Manu explained that every newborn who dies represents not just a personal tragedy for families, but a significant socioeconomic loss for Ghana.

“I was thinking, those who turned 18 last year were born 18 years ago. I can assure you that a good percentage of them died. We don’t know what their potential could have been in life. Anytime a newborn dies, the cost for the country is higher than somebody who is older, because we don’t know who would be the next president or the next whoever,” he stated.

Prof. Manu explained that investing in newborns yields what he described as a ‘triple return’.

According to him, the interventions that protect newborns also safeguard mothers, prevent stillbirths and improve overall childbirth outcomes.

“As I have said, five out of every 10 children who die before age five are dying in the first month. So if we invest in the first month, we are saving children,” he added.

Ghana continues to struggle with newborn mortality, with the first 28 days of life remaining the riskiest period for a child.

Prof. Manu reiterated that the country cannot reduce under-five mortality without aggressively tackling newborn deaths.

To achieve this, he called for strengthened health systems, better-prepared delivery units, improved access to essential neonatal care, and community-level interventions that ensure babies survive and thrive beyond their first month of life.

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Speaking at JoyNews‘ national dialogue on newborn health, Dr. Nawaane stressed that “Ghana must scale up the number of fully functional NICUs with modern equipment and dedicated monitoring teams” to adequately manage complications that put newborns at risk.

According to him, the availability of more standard neonatal intensive care centres would be meaningless if families cannot afford to use them, pointing to the country’s health financing challenges as a major barrier to accessing specialised newborn care.

He disclosed that the Health Committee will, within the next month, meet with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to push for neonatal intensive care services to be included under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Dr. Nawaane questioned why NICU services remain excluded despite the fact that many related medical interventions technically fall under NHIS coverage.

He blamed the challenge on poor tariffs, which make it unprofitable for facilities to offer these services under the insurance scheme.

“The truth of the matter is that a lot of the things actually come under NHIS, but because of poor tariffs, facilities cannot run NICUs effectively under the scheme,” he said.

He stated that improving neonatal care is not only a medical necessity but also a national responsibility, as timely and affordable interventions can significantly reduce preventable newborn deaths.

Dr. Nawaane reiterated Parliament’s commitment to pursuing reforms that will expand access to quality neonatal care and protect Ghana’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

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In a statement signed by Acting Director-General Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, GHS said the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 14, 2025, of nine confirmed cases and three deaths.

GHS emphasized that the situation is being closely monitored due to frequent travel between Ghana and Ethiopia, and that preventive measures have already been activated to protect the public.

The Ministry of Health and GHS are implementing several interventions, including increased surveillance at all points of entry, issuing alerts to regions and health facilities, activating public health emergency response structures, and engaging with One Health partners such as the Veterinary Services Directorate and Wildlife Division.

Marburg Virus Disease is a highly infectious illness caused by the Marburg virus. It spreads from animals to humans and can also be transmitted between people. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days. There is currently no vaccine, and treatment is primarily supportive.

The public is advised to report immediately to the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms such as fever, bloody diarrhoea, bleeding from the gums, bleeding into the skin or eyes, or bloody urine.

GHS also urged strict adherence to preventive measures, including frequent handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoiding direct contact with symptomatic individuals, and steering clear of animals showing bleeding symptoms.

The Service reassured Ghanaians that all necessary steps are being taken to safeguard the population.

Read the statement below:

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Speaking at the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) 19th Biennial Conference in Tamale on Wednesday, November 19, Mr. Akandoh said the recruitment forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen frontline healthcare delivery, particularly under the Free Primary Healthcare and Mahama Cares initiatives. He emphasised that nurses and midwives are central to the success of these programmes.

“In 2025, the Mahama administration successfully concluded the recruitment process initiated by the previous government, enrolling 13,500 nurses and midwives into the government payroll,” he stated.

“I am pleased to announce that by the end of this month, all individuals whose salary processes experienced delays will receive their first payment,” he added.

The Health Minister also highlighted that the government is considering the negotiated Conditions of Service for inclusion in the 2026 Budget, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to the welfare of health professionals.

“The government has strongly considered the negotiated Conditions of Service for implementation in the 2026 budget. This reflects our commitment to continuity, fairness, and the well-being of nurses and midwives,” he said.

Mr. Akandoh further stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between the Ministry, labour institutions, and the GRNMA to address issues such as deployment, specialist training, and workforce stability—partnerships he said are key to improving healthcare delivery nationwide.

Speaking with Adom News in Ntotroso, the minister described such practices as a major obstacle to the progress of the scheme.

She warned that henceforth, any health worker who demands illegal payments from NHIS subscribers would be dealt with ruthlessly.

The Minister emphasised that NHIS is a vital service for the people of Ahafo Region, which is why she has taken it upon herself to provide free registration to ensure residents can easily access healthcare services.

The District Chief Executive for Asutifi North, Hafiz Dauda, urged residents to report any health facility or worker demanding illegal fees.

He added that the only way to end this menace is for residents to boldly report cases to authorities for investigation and punishment of the culprits.

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The project, known as WASH for Improved Health, seeks to advance advocacy in the areas of health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene across the district.

It aligns with a broader vision to ensure that children in the Sekyere Afram Plains are loved, protected, healthy, educated and empowered to thrive within resilient families and inclusive communities.

Speaking at the launch, Robel Wamisho, Program Associate Director at World Vision Ghana, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to transforming communities by addressing sanitation and water challenges, promoting hygiene practices and supporting vulnerable children.

He noted that the success of the initiative hinges on strong collaboration with the Sekyere Afram Plains District Assembly, the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and other key stakeholders.

Regional Operations Manager for World Vision Ghana, Ivan Aboagye, described the Sekyere Afram Plains as one of the largest yet poorest districts in the Ashanti Region, grappling with significant deficits in sanitation and access to clean water. Data from the area, he said, shows that inadequate sanitation facilities and limited potable water access remain major developmental barriers.

Mr. Aboagye explained that the WASH initiative will target vulnerable communities with limited access to potable water and poor handwashing practices.

He added that improving sanitation, particularly reducing open defecation, remains central to the project’s goals.

Source: David Opoku

The recommended healthy diets consist of half a plate of vegetables and fruit, a quarter of a plate of carbohydrates, and another quarter of protein.

Prof. Anna Lartey, a Professor of Nutrition at the University of Ghana, made this known at a sensitisation workshop in Accra, dubbed “Beyond the dialogues, Tracking Ghana’s Commitments to Transform its food systems”.

The workshop was organised by the University of Ghana School of Public Health, with support from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Ghana Statistical Services (GSS), as part of a project to track the country’s food systems transformation commitments adopted in 2021.

Healthy, junk foods

Prof. Lartey explained that healthy foods were more expensive than “junk” foods, which made people opt for them.

For example, she said, fruits and vegetables were far more expensive than the sugar-laced drinks and fast foods.

She explained that these unhealthy foods were common on almost every street corner, and, therefore, came in handy.

Unhealthy eating habits came with dire consequences, she further explained.

The academic said such unhealthy foods were a primary cause of the many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and other ailments in the country.

She, therefore, advised people to make significant changes to their diets to help reduce preventable deaths.

Prof. Lartey said 15 million deaths worldwide could be prevented if society adopted healthy diets, and called for a transformational change in “our food systems”.

The renowned nutritionist encouraged people to take personal responsibility for their diet.

Food environment

According to Prof. Lartey, who is the Project Co-Principal Investigator, food systems were influenced by the environment, and today’s food environment did not enable healthy choices.

She added that “Ghana made a number of commitments in terms of how to address the country’s food systems to make sure that it delivers on the health that we want.

So, this project is saying that we have held the dialogues, we have talked, now let us look at action.

What steps are we putting in place to ensure that the commitments we made are being achieved?”

The project’s Principal Investigator, Prof. Amos Laar of the University of Ghana’s School of Public Health, giving an overview of the project, said it was to track and monitor Ghana’s commitments.

He said the project aimed to use a science-based approach to track the implementation of the country’s commitments to transform its food systems.

He added that it also aimed at promoting the country’s food system and creating a safe food system environment. 

Workshop

Over 160 United Nations Member States and representatives of regional blocs in 2021 committed to transforming their food systems by 2030 at the UN Food Systems Summit with the goal of ensuring sustainable, healthy diets for all.

Ghana, at the time, committed to 17 Food System transformation commitment goals by 2025, including increasing the percentage of early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour from 52 per cent in 2017 to 80 per cent, and increasing exclusive breastfeeding for six months from 42.9 per cent in 2017 to 62 per cent.

The workshop brought together stakeholders in the country’s food systems, such as civil society organisations, ministries, departments and agencies.

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The concerns were raised at the Achimota Speaks event, where panelists discussed the topic: “Healthcare or Death Care.”

Former NHIA CEO Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby highlighted systemic weaknesses, noting that despite progress in reducing infectious diseases, Ghana is struggling to manage the rising burden of non-communicable diseases due to inefficiencies and longstanding neglect.

She explained that although Ghana has eliminated diseases like measles for many years, structural gaps remain. “Ghana…I think, hasn’t had a measles case for a very long time, and when one turned up in Tamale, they had to bus in student nurses and medical doctors to see the child because we haven’t seen it for so long,” she said.

Dr. Dsane-Selby also expressed concern about inequities within healthcare delivery, stressing that even with available expertise, the underlying systems remain broken. She recalled her shock at a programme promoting pediatric stents costing $20,000 each while rural communities lack basic healthcare services.

“We cannot have policies that are only for the elite. We have to think about the rural areas and fair practice,” she said. She added that copying foreign systems without context is misguided: “There are counties in the US with all their spending, whose maternal mortality rates are worse than Chorkor. So sometimes following America is not always the way to go.”

While stressing the importance of funding, she said money alone cannot fix a dysfunctional system. “All in all, money is important. But America has shown us that money isn’t everything. The elite get taken care of. Those at the bottom are suffering. They are as bad as we are in Ghana. So there has to be a balance.”

According to her, political interference, failure to implement policies, and collapsing institutions continue to weaken the sector.

The CEO of Chiron Health Consult, William Delali Ofori, agreed that Ghana does not lack policies but rather the commitment to execute them. He argued that health facilities across the country rise or fall depending on individual effort rather than strong systems.

“We don’t know how to execute. Our facilities are poorly maintained, poorly resourced, with almost no standard operating procedures. It’s the same story from CHPS compounds to tertiary hospitals,” he said. He added that the system often resembles “death care” due to broken processes, a weak emergency response structure, and the absence of communication between ambulances and hospitals.

“When you hear an ambulance siren, it doesn’t mean the person has been rescued,” he stressed.

Consultant neurosurgeon at the Accra Medical Center, Dr. Teddy Totimeh, said Ghana must confront the reality that improving healthcare requires sustained investment, strong advocacy, and innovative domestic revenue solutions.

“In the long run, it’s all about money…we haven’t spent enough, and we won’t get back,” he noted.

He proposed a “funeral tax,” arguing that Ghana invests heavily in funerals while hospitals remain underfunded. “If we cut down the period bodies are kept in fridges and channelled that money into healthcare, it would make sense,” he said.

In a public notice, the Authority stated that the waiver will be in effect from now through 14 December 2025 as part of this year’s NHIS Active Month campaign.

This means all eligible persons who enrol or renew within the period will enjoy immediate access to NHIS services without the usual waiting period.

The NHIA explained that the initiative aims to expand access to healthcare and encourage more people to remain active members of the scheme. It described the campaign as part of ongoing efforts “to make it easier for everyone to stay active on the Scheme and to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing healthcare.”

The Authority urged the public to take advantage of the temporary waiver by enrolling or renewing their membership through any NHIS district office, the MyNHIS app, or the *929# short code. Members were also encouraged to activate Auto-Renewal to prevent future lapses in coverage.

“We urge everyone, especially those whose membership has expired for more than three months, to renew promptly and continue enjoying the benefits of quality, affordable healthcare,” the NHIA statement said.

It said alcohol had been widely used in many cultures for centuries, and it was associated with significant health risks and harms, linked to multiple diseases, injuries, and premature deaths.

It noted that it caused 100 per cent of alcohol use disorders, 18 percent of suicides, 18 per cent of interpersonal violence, 27 per cent of traffic injuries, and 13 percent of epilepsy.

The rest were 48 per cent of liver cirrhosis, 26 per cent of mouth cancers, 26 per cent of pancreatitis, 20 per cent of tuberculosis, 11 per cent of colorectal cancer, five per cent of breast cancer and seven per cent of hypertensive heart disease.

This came to light at the 2^nd High-Level Stakeholders meeting on the implementation of Ghana’s National Alcohol Policy (NAP) 2016, organised by the Alcohol Policy Alliance – Ghana (GhanAPA) in Accra.

The meeting was on the theme, “Harnessing the Reset Agenda to stimulate healthy lifestyle, reduce health risks and promote wellness through the passage of the draft National Alcohol Control Regulations in Ghana.”

It was attended by representatives from the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Health Service, National Health Insurance Authority, Mental Health Authority, National Road Safety Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, West African Alcohol Alliance, among other institutions.

The GhanAPA expressed concern about alcohol related harm in Ghana, stating that the Mental Health Authority in its 2023 annual report recorded 3,765 cases of alcohol-related mental health disorders and 5,554 cases attributed to other psychoactive substances.

It said the STEPS Report 2023 showed that 22.6 percent of adults aged 18-69 years were current drinkers, with men constituting 30.6 per cent while 14.5 percent were women.

It said the National Road Safety Authority study in 2014 confirmed alcohol as one of the major factors contributing to road crashes.

The GhanAPA said it had been inspired by the Resetting Ghana: “Building the Ghana we want together, Section 5.2.1 on Preventing diseases and promoting health and wellness.”

It said it was therefore committed to the implementation of the National Health Policy 2020, National Policy on Non-Communicable Diseases 2022, National Alcohol Policy 2016, Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 2023 (Act 1108).

“As mandated by the Public Health Act 851 of 2012, calling on the Health Minister to collaborate with relevant bodies on the development and implementation of a Legislative Instrument to address alcohol harm,” the GhanAPA stated.

The participants at the meeting, in a declaration, requested stakeholders and duty bearers to prioritise the comprehensive implementation of the National Alcohol Policy 2016 through a coordinated multi-sectoral action.

They called on the government (Ministry of Health, Parliament) to ensure the presentation and passage of the draft National Alcohol Control Regulation into law, while urging the government to protect public health policies and the National Alcohol Policy from commercial and vested interests.

The participants recommended that the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and Parliament allocate adequate and sustainable financing for the implementation of the National Alcohol Policy 2016

This was the second in a series of such collaborations, the first having taken place in Accra.

In an address before the start of the screening, Mrs Mahama encouraged traditional and religious leaders to leverage their respected positions to promote healthy and responsible behaviour within their communities.

The First Lady noted that Ghana remains committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, a goal she said is achievable if every individual plays their part.

“Parents must engage in open and honest conversations with their children about health and sexuality,” she stressed, urging teachers to guide students with care, wisdom, and accurate information to help eliminate the stigma surrounding HIV.

Currently, over 334,000 Ghanaians are living with HIV, with the Bono Region among the most affected areas. The First Lady described this as a serious concern and called for education, prevention, and early testing to curb new infections.

As President of the Lordina Foundation, Mrs Mahama emphasised that health is the foundation of development. “Without good health, productivity suffers, and building vibrant communities becomes difficult,” she said.

Highlighting the importance of health screening programmes, she added: “I love bringing health services closer to people because when we invest in health, we invest in our collective future.”

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Budu II, Dormaahene and President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, expressed concern over the rising HIV cases in the Bono Region in recent years, particularly among people aged 25 to 40.

He described the screening programme as a crucial health initiative rather than a political exercise, encouraging all attendees to take advantage of the testing and educational resources provided.

Sister Diana, who has been living with HIV since 1989, shared her experience battling stigma due to limited awareness. She emphasised that with proper care and monitoring, people living with HIV can lead healthy lives.

“My children’s support gave me strength,” she said, “and motivated me to educate others as an ambassador for HIV awareness.”

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Presenting the budget to Parliament on Wednesday, November 13, Dr. Forson announced plans to construct six new regional hospitals for the newly created regions, starting with three in 2026, alongside two district hospitals at Bole and Shama.

In addition, ten previously abandoned Agenda 111 hospital projects will be completed, including facilities at La General, Effia Nkwanta, the Komfo Anokye Maternity Block, and Ashanti Regional Hospital in Sewua.

To improve maternal and child health services, seven hospitals will be upgraded, while technology integration and infrastructure modernization aim to build an efficient, inclusive, and resilient healthcare system.

Dr. Forson also highlighted the launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), established under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1144), to provide sustainable financing for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and specialized medical services.

In 2026, MahamaCares will introduce a comprehensive NCD financing policy covering eligible conditions, approved services, tariffs, and essential medicines, ensuring patients receive uninterrupted care without high out-of-pocket expenses. Diagnostic and treatment centers will also be established on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis in major hospitals nationwide.

“These interventions will move Ghana from treatment to prevention, from inequality to access, and from promise to performance, ensuring no Ghanaian is left behind,” Dr. Forson stated.

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The disruption has forced doctors and health professionals to abandon electronic systems and rely on rudimentary tools like exercise books and patient folders to log new medical data, leading to long queues and threatening the quality of patient care.https://www.youtube.com/embed/0p4IwnK9aGU?si=lbCpVmij-9qkovV1

The government, through the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, lamented the shutdown and announced a new Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) to replace the old system following disputes with the provider of LHIMS.

The move was justified by claims that the LHIMS contractors failed to deliver on their mandate, including connecting over 900 health facilities to the platform and other contractual breaches.

Dr. Elliot Koranteng, a nephrologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), highlighted the grave implications of the data loss in an interview with JoyNews’ Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe, who assessed the impact of the development in the Ashanti Region.

Dr Koranteng stressed that without historical records, doctors are effectively “tied” in their ability to diagnose and manage chronic illnesses.

Dr. Koranteng detailed the immediate difficulty faced by specialists managing conditions like kidney disease:

“…we had to virtually tell the patient that, listen, we are unable to assess [the system]. So those of you who have ever come, you may have to go [home], and those who remember your medications, then we may have to now write your own medications…

“…for me as a nephrologist, whatever has happened to your kidney function, whether it’s improving or getting worse, I will be able to tell if I’m able to see what your last lab result was. But now, even if you present [a result] today and your creatinine is, say, 200, the question is, I cannot be hard on you because I don’t know whether you have come from 300 to 200 or you have probably gone from 100 to 200…”

He emphasised that clinical decisions are impossible without the full patient history:

“…the difficulty is the fact that if you don’t have the record, you would not even know what you are managing because you don’t know the diagnosis; the diagnosis is not in our heads.”

The specialist also raised serious concerns about the technical and ethical implications of replacing one Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system with another, noting the irony that once-abandoned physical folders now seem more reliable than the electronic infrastructure.

“So now the question is, we have LHIMS cards for these patients. Are we going to now get new cards for these ones? How do we link the new cards to the GHIMS card and be able to ensure there’s continuity of care…

“…it’s disappointing that gone are the days when we were using folders. I think now the folders are becoming more reliable because now we’re going back to the exercise book, which is like the folder, than when now we are using electronic medical records, which were supposed to be more reliable…”

Dr. Koranteng condemned the systemic risk created by such abrupt changes, which places patient safety at risk:

“…that one day a company says or maybe a government says okay now I don’t want this old one again,’ and then a new one comes and says okay I also don’t want GHIMS because there was whatever…then what are we doing to ourselves as a country and this medical record or data of our patients is sacrosanct; it’s like so important without the data, we are useless. We cannot manage them [patients].”

Beyond clinical care, the lost data is also threatening vital academic and scientific work, as years of historical patient information—crucial for longitudinal studies—have vanished:

“To make matters even worse, there are a lot of studies that are going on that require this data… Now, where is the data? So a lot of grants or a lot of research that rely on this data are going to suffer.”

Health professionals are calling for the immediate restoration of the data system to mitigate the ongoing harm to patient management and research integrity.

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Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Ashinyo explained that the expired condoms formed part of large consignments meant to promote safer sex among women, but poor patronage rendered most of them unused.

“We bought a lot of female condoms in the past, but they were not being used. Over time they expired, and we had to throw them away. Now, procurement is done in very small quantities because the demand is not there,” he said.

According to him, social and cultural attitudes continue to discourage women from using female condoms. Many, he said, associate them with mistrust and promiscuity.

“Many women believe that wearing female condoms means they cannot be trusted by their partners, so they would rather rely on male condoms. The desire and interest to use the female condoms are just not there,” Dr. Ashinyo added.

He also expressed concern about the misuse of female condoms, revealing that some women remove the rims to design bangles and clothes, while others complain about discomfort and overstimulation when using them.

Dr. Ashinyo warned that low condom use—especially among women—poses a threat to Ghana’s fight against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

“Condoms serve as a biomedical protective tool that collects secretions containing viruses. When people don’t use them, those secretions come into direct contact during intercourse, increasing the risk of infection,” he noted.

The low demand, he said, has affected the supply chain, with pharmacies and public health facilities now stocking only limited quantities. He called for renewed public education and advocacy to address misconceptions and encourage female condom use as part of national HIV prevention efforts.

According to the 2024 National and Sub-National HIV and AIDS Estimates and Projections Report, about 334,721 people are currently living with HIV in Ghana. The country recorded 15,290 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths last year.

The Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, said new infections among the youth are rising due to low condom usage and complacency about HIV risks.

To reverse the trend, he announced plans to install condom dispensing machines at public spaces such as transport terminals, university campuses, and youth events to increase accessibility.

“A person living with HIV still fears disclosure, still fears ostracism, and still fears for their future. We must challenge this,” Dr. Akanbong urged, calling on Ghanaians to treat people living with HIV with dignity and respect.

Globally, HIV has claimed an estimated 44.1 million lives as of July 2025, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The agency notes that while transmission remains widespread, effective prevention and antiretroviral therapy (ART) continue to offer hope for managing and reducing infections.

Source: GNA

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Agyei said the company feels “deeply hurt” after working selflessly on Ghana’s national e-health project since 2016.

“We have worked with the Ministry for years, so we never thought we would face such issues,” he lamented.

Mr. Agyei explained that all Lightwave staff are based in Ghana and have continued to support the healthcare digitization agenda.

He added that the company had hoped for appreciation rather than hostility after years of commitment.

“All our staff are in this country, and we have reassigned them. It’s painful, and we have expressed this to the minister. If nothing else, we deserve to be thanked for our work over the past years. The way we have been treated has not been kind.

“We have collaborated with the Ministry for years, so we never expected to encounter issues with them. We hope the minister will relax the situation so we can go through the necessary processes and adhere to the contract,” he added.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Agyei described the allegation as “completely false.”

He explained that all data infrastructure for the system is based in Ghana, specifically on the first floor of the Ministry of Health in Accra.

“Our system has been operational for over nine years, from the first phase till now. The claim that our data backend is in India is false. It is at the Ministry of Health’s server room. Every hospital has its own server, and the backup for all facilities is stored at the Ministry,” he clarified.

Mr. Agyei stressed that Lightwave is the only company whose source code and data are fully hosted within Ghana’s health sector, ensuring data sovereignty and security.

He also dismissed reports that the company shut down its systems to pressure the government, explaining that any temporary disruptions were the result of facility-level issues and not actions by Lightwave.

“The claim that we shut down the system to hold government to ransom is untrue. It was the health facilities that went offline due to their own issues with the Ministry,” he said.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Agyei clarified that Lightwave has completed about 82% of the project, contrary to the Minister’s assertion that only a small fraction of hospitals had been covered.

“The Minister said we have done only 150 hospitals out of 905, but that’s misleading. One teaching hospital is equivalent to about 100 health centres. The agreement was structured in phases: 21% for teaching hospitals, 22% for regional hospitals, and 29% for district hospitals, all of which we’ve completed,” he explained.

He added that the company has finished all district hospitals and polyclinics under the contract, accounting for 82% of the entire scope of work.

“Therefore, the government is supposed to pay us $82 million, not because we’ve been overpaid, but because we’ve completed 82% of the work,” he stressed.

Mr. Agyei described the Minister’s comments as “misleading and disappointing,” noting that the contract details are well-documented and known to the ministry.

He further stated that with timely payments, Lightwave could complete about 50 additional health centres within a month, reaffirming the company’s commitment to delivering the project successfully.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, the company’s Senior Project Manager, Eric Agyei, clarified that Lightwave is a wholly Ghanaian-owned company with no foreign interests.

“We are a 100% Ghanaian-owned company with over 150 Ghanaian staff. We officially began operations in November 2015, and our first government contract came in 2016 during President Mahama’s administration,” Mr. Agyei stated.

He explained that Lightwave’s first pilot project, implemented across 23 hospitals in the Central Region, successfully tested the digital healthcare solution at all levels of the health system.

Following that success, the project was expanded nationwide from 2019, covering more than 950 hospitals within three years.

Mr. Agyei stressed that the company’s achievements highlight the capability of local firms to deliver innovative technological solutions in Ghana’s health sector.

“Our pilot project in the Central Region involved 23 hospitals and was successful across all levels of healthcare. After the first phase in 2017, we had to wait until 2019 for the next phase, influenced by the subsequent government. However, we eventually expanded our services nationwide, reaching 950 hospitals within three years,” he said.

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The alarming situation has raised serious concerns among health workers and residents, who are appealing to the government and relevant stakeholders to intervene urgently.

According to reports from Adom News’ Daniel Tachie, hospital staff say the current labour ward is too small to handle the rising number of deliveries, leaving midwives and doctors struggling to provide safe and dignified care.

Dr. Evans Narh Dotcher, Acting Medical Director of the facility, described the situation as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”

“We are doing our best to save lives, but the environment is not conducive. Sometimes women in labour have to lie on the floor because all beds are occupied. It breaks our hearts as health workers,” he lamented.

Some affected mothers also shared their distressing experiences.

“When I came to deliver, there was no bed available. I had to lie on the floor until space opened up. It was painful and humiliating,” one woman recounted.

The hospital, which serves Yeji and surrounding communities, has seen a rapid increase in patient numbers without a corresponding expansion in infrastructure. Health officials warn that the situation poses serious risks to both mothers and newborns.

A Senior Midwife, Madam Vivian Baffoe, has called on the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and development partners to construct a modern maternity ward to ensure safe and dignified deliveries.

“Maternal health should be a top priority. No woman should go through labour on the floor. We are pleading with authorities to come to our aid,” she appealed.

Residents remain hopeful that urgent action will be taken to ease the suffering of pregnant women and improve maternal healthcare at Yeji Matthias Hospital.

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Speaking to Adom News during a monitoring visit to Ntotroso, where she was accompanied by the District Chief Executive, the Minister said the initiative seeks to register about 10,000 people as active NHIS members under the MahamaCares programme.

According to her, the exercise targets individuals who have never been enrolled on the scheme as well as those whose cards have become inactive due to financial challenges.

She emphasized that the registration drive will cover all communities within the district.

“We want everyone, regardless of financial status, to have access to quality healthcare. This initiative will make that possible,” said Charity Gardiner, Ahafo Regional Minister.

The District Chief Executive, Hafiz Dauda, and the Asutifi District NHIS Manager, Joseph Sarkodie, commended the Minister’s initiative and encouraged residents to take advantage of the free registration.

They confirmed that the exercise will be extended to all 68 communities in the district, with a target of enrolling 10,000 new members by the end of 2025.

“This is a commendable effort to ensure no one is left out of healthcare coverage,” Hafiz Dauda and Joseph Sarkodie stated.

Source: Sammy Asare

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He said the future of HIV programming depended on the country’s ability to mobilise domestic resources, strengthen partnerships, and sustain political, financial, and social commitment to ending AIDS.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 World AIDS Day in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Essamuah urged private sector involvement, noting that HIV affects workforce productivity and economic growth.

“The private sector must rise to the challenge by investing in workplace HIV programmes, supporting awareness and testing campaigns,” he said.

Acting Director-General of the GAC, Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, said Ghana must respond to global economic pressures and address persistent barriers in HIV prevention, especially considering declining donor support.

He appealed to Ghanaians to contribute to the National HIV and AIDS Fund, stating, “Ghana must mobilise, innovate and lead the HIV response.”

Dr Akanbong condemned stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV.

“HIV is a health condition that is manageable, and people living with HIV have the right to dignity, respect and full participation in society,” he said.

Dr Akanbong described this year’s global theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” as reflective of Ghana’s current challenges.

“Across the globe, and here in Ghana, our HIV response has encountered significant disruptions: funding constraints, shifting global priorities, competing health emergencies and evolving social dynamics,” he added.

Dr Akanbong said the Commission would work with stakeholders to protect and accelerate gains made in HIV prevention.

World AIDS Day is marked annually to renew national commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

This year’s celebration will promote remote voluntary testing, linkage to care, treatment, and retention, in line with the UN 95-95-95 targets.

The event would also serve as a platform to advocate for increased domestic financing through the National HIV and AIDS Fund.

The GAC seeks to intensify community-level education on prevention, treatment, and stigma reduction throughout November.

Dr Akanbong said media outreach and condom distribution activities would be undertaken nationwide, and called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to support local efforts.

He announced that the celebration would be climaxed on Monday, December 1, 2025, with a national address by President John Dramani Mahama on Ghana’s HIV response.

Source: GNA

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According to the Chamber, over 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice, maize, and soya beans are currently stranded in warehouses and farms across the country, despite Ghana still importing large quantities of these commodities to meet consumption needs.

“We are witnessing a paradox of plenty — surplus grain in warehouses and shortages in the market,” said Farmer Anthony Kofituo Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana. “Without swift government action, farmers will be forced out of business and the grains sector could collapse.”

Crisis of Surplus Amid Shortage

CAG data shows that while Ghana consumes an estimated 1.9 million metric tonnes of rice annually, local producers account for just under 900,000 metric tonnes.

Yet, nearly two years’ worth of both milled and paddy rice reportedly remain unsold, trapped in warehouses and factories nationwide.

The Chamber attributes this anomaly to policy inconsistencies and market distortions, including the unchecked influx of smuggled and expired rice through unapproved routes, which it says have cost the state millions in tax revenue and destabilized local markets.

The situation is equally dire for maize and soya producers.

Ghana’s maize consumption stands at 3.3 million metric tonnes, but only 2.5 million metric tonnes are produced locally.

For soya, national output of around 225,000–250,000 metric tonnes represents barely a third of the country’s potential, while demand continues to rise above 300,000 metric tonnes.

Policy under fire: L.I. 2432 blamed for market distortion

The Chamber blames part of the crisis on the Export and Import (restriction on exportation of soya beans) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2432), which bans the export of soya beans without special authorization.

While the policy was designed to protect local feed industries, CAG says it has instead devastated farm incomes.

Farm-gate prices for soya have fallen from GH¢650 to GH¢400 per bag, with thousands of bags reportedly locked in warehouses across the northern and southern belts.

Many farmers are abandoning the crop altogether, seeing little incentive to continue cultivation under current restrictions.

CAG’s three immediate demands

To rescue the sector, the Chamber is calling on government to adopt three emergency measures:

1. A 3-month moratorium on rice imports — to clear existing local stockpiles, support millers, and stabilize prices.
2. Immediate repeal of L.I. 2432 — to free the soya bean market, restore prices, and unlock production potential.
3. Comprehensive market audit — led by the Ministries of Trade and Agriculture, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, and Food and Drugs Authority, to trace smuggled and expired rice, validate tax compliance, and restore confidence in the market.

Call for strategic state intervention

Beyond short-term fixes, CAG is urging the government to introduce a strategic grain reserve procurement program, using the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to buy surplus grains directly from farmers at fair prices.

CAG is also proposing a five-year national rice production strategy, aligned with import quotas and increased investment in irrigation, mechanization, and processing infrastructure.

“A moment for decisive action”

The Chamber warns that inaction could trigger widespread rural poverty, food inflation, and collapse of the local grain economy.

“We must protect the livelihoods of our farmers and the integrity of Ghana’s food system,” Morrison stressed. “Decisive action today will turn this crisis into an opportunity for agricultural transformation.”

CAG believes that with coordinated government support and a renewed commitment to local value addition, Ghana’s grains sector can transition from vulnerability to a driver of food security, industrial growth, and national resilience.

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah described the situation as alarming, attributing the high mortality rate to late diagnosis and delayed access to treatment.

“The mortality rate for cervical cancer was high. We had about 3,000 cases in 2024, but approximately 2,500 of them died. This is because by the time we diagnose the condition, it is often too late to intervene,” she said.

The Deputy Minister expressed optimism that the government’s free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for children aged 9 to 14 years would help reduce future cases of the disease.

She also highlighted that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), is intensifying public education and nationwide screening to promote early detection and prevention.

Health experts have long cautioned that cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana, despite being largely preventable through vaccination and regular screening.

The rollout of the free HPV vaccine marks a major step in protecting young girls from the virus responsible for most cervical cancer cases, as authorities intensify efforts to curb the growing toll of the disease.

According to him, the practice undermines fairness, compromises patient safety, and erodes public confidence in the health system, especially for vulnerable citizens who lack influence or connections.

Mr. Akandoh stressed that access to healthcare must be based on need and not personal ties, adding that health institutions must work together to strengthen ethical standards, accountability and professionalism in hospitals and clinics nationwide.

The sector minister made these comments at the 2025 annual conference of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in Koforidua.

He explained that to address discrimination in healthcare facilities, he conducts unannounced visits – a practice that has now become his signature approach – to gain firsthand insight into what occurs in various settings.

Mr. Akandoh emphasised that the work done behind the scenes often matters more than what is publicly visible. He added that, as Christians, we are reminded that God created us in His own image.

“The treatment of patients with care, dignity, and respect has virtually become my signature message since I became the minister responsible for health. It is one of the reasons why I do what I do. Visiting health facilities allows us to have first-hand information about what goes on in various settings. It is often what we do behind the scenes, unseen, that matters more than what everyone observes. And as Christians, we know that God created us in His own image.”

“We must strive to eliminate discrimination. I have come to realise that, in government, people often feel the need to know who you are before treating you well. At times, I have had to disguise myself, using my height and demeanor to appear sincere. After such encounters, people come back and say, ‘Oh, we are sorry.’ But I do not appreciate apologies alone. Therefore, let us commit to eliminating discrimination and to treating patients with respect and care. This theme aligns profoundly with our national health ambition,” he said.

Mr. Akandoh also highlighted the vital role of CHAG in Ghana’s healthcare system. He said, “For decades, CHAG has embodied this responsibility with remarkable devotion. In many of Ghana’s most remote communities, where hope might otherwise be distant, CHAG facilities have stood as beacons of compassion and healing. Beyond delivering over 30% of health services nationwide lies a greater truth – you are more than providers of care; you are custodians of faith, dignity, and humanity in our health system. Your work affirms that medicine is not only a science, but also a ministry.”

The health minister acknowledged the ongoing pressures faced by the health workforce, including rising workloads, resource constraints and the emotional weight of service. He noted the ministry’s commitment to clearing backlogs in postings and addressing salary delays to ensure that health personnel can serve with dignity and confidence. He called on all healthcare providers to renew the human side of medicine.

“Clinical procedures may be followed meticulously, but the warm human connection – that essential element of healing – can sometimes be lost. Every patient encounter must become a moment of compassion, dignity, and hope, not simply a transaction, but a touch of grace,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s partnership with CHAG, emphasising a mission-driven collaboration focused on deepening support for health workers, promoting ethical leadership, strengthening mentorship, and ensuring that CHAG’s values are integrated into the upcoming Health Sector Medium-Term Development Plan (2026–2029).

According to him, the minister’s recent accusations against the company, including claims of holding Ghana’s health data to ransom, hosting parts of the system in India, and receiving excess payments, are surprising and inconsistent with his earlier stance.

Lightwave E-Healthcare is the company behind the LHIS platform, an electronic system designed to manage patient records across health facilities nationwide. However, in recent months, the platform has experienced challenges that have disrupted patient care, insurance processing, and hospital operations.

The situation has led to a public exchange between the Health Ministry and Lightwave E-Healthcare over the system’s management and contract terms. Mr Akandoh had alleged that the company received 77 per cent of a US$100 million contract despite completing less than half of the work, further claiming that servers hosting patient data were located in India.

Lightwave E-Healthcare has, however, denied these allegations, insisting that it is owed eight months of post-contract service payments.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kojo Yankson on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Agyei stated that Mr Akandoh had been part of a parliamentary oversight delegation that monitored the second phase of Lightwave’s contract.

“Yes, he (Mintah Akandoh) was aware of the contract. I have met him a couple of times. I have done it twice, and in all, I met the honourable minister when he was a ranking member. He was aware,” Mr Agyei said.

He added that the minister never raised any concerns at the time.

“I would be surprised if he would stand anywhere or anybody would say he is not aware,” he remarked.

Mr Agyei further recalled an instance where the minister questioned the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) for attempting to duplicate a task already handled by Lightwave.

“There was one time the NHIA was going to do some activity that Lightwave was already doing, and I remember he raised concerns that if the Lightwave system is doing this, why is the NHIA going to do the same thing? Even that statement alone tells you he knew about the contract and the work being done,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister has announced the introduction of a new platform, the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS), a government-controlled digital system that will manage patient records, insurance verification, billing, and continuity of care across all public and mission health facilities.

GHIMS will serve as the sole authorised platform for patient registration, clinical documentation, billing, and NHIA claims submission. Health facilities have been directed to grant full access to deployment teams for the activation of the system.

The nationwide implementation of GHIMS is expected to begin in November 2025, marking a major step toward reducing private control over national health data and strengthening transparency and security within Ghana’s healthcare information systems.

In a detailed statement issued in Accra, the company described the Minister’s comments, made in Parliament on October 28 and reiterated at the Presidency’s Accountability Series on October 29, as false, misleading, and damaging to Ghana’s e-health progress.

Lightwave, which designed and implemented the LHIMS platform, said its statement aims to correct “inaccurate claims” and reaffirm its commitment to transparency, data sovereignty, and the continuity of healthcare digitisation in Ghana.

The company emphasised that it is fully Ghanaian-owned, incorporated in 2015, and employs over 150 local staff. Its sister firm, Lightwave E-Healthcare Services LLC, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is also owned by the same Ghanaian shareholder.

According to Lightwave, it successfully executed Phase One of the National E-Healthcare Project in 2017, covering 23 health facilities in the Central Region, including Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Following this, the government approved Phase Two in 2019, valued at US$100 million, to roll out the system across 950 facilities nationwide.

Responding to claims that Ghanaians’ electronic medical records were being managed from India, the company insisted that all patient data is securely housed in Ghana. The Ministry of Health retains full ownership and control of the central data repository within its data centre.

“The healthcare data of Ghanaians remains the property of the Ministry of Health. It is neither managed nor stored in India or any foreign location,” the statement said.

While the LHIMS software remains Lightwave’s intellectual property, the Ministry was granted a usage licence for the duration of the contract, in line with international software licensing standards.

Addressing claims that the company had executed less than 50 percent of the project despite receiving 77 percent of the contract value, Lightwave said the assertion misrepresented the facts. The contract assigned different financial weights to deployments at various categories of health facilities, with teaching and regional hospitals accounting for a higher percentage of the contract value.

“As of December 31, 2024, Lightwave had fully deployed the system in all four teaching hospitals, six regional hospitals, and 243 district hospitals—representing about 72 percent of the contract value,” the company explained.

Lightwave added that delays were largely due to the Ministry’s delayed payments, some exceeding 10 months, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company also refuted claims that no payments were owed, revealing that it had not been paid for eight months of post-contract work despite assurances from the Ministry. In addition, Lightwave has carried out extra work valued at approximately US$25 million outside the original contract scope, including systems integration with the National Health Insurance Authority, banks, pharmacies, and the Births and Deaths Registry, none of which has been compensated.

The LHIMS platform continues to operate in over 200 facilities, including Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Eastern Regional Hospital, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, and Walewale District Hospital.

Lightwave expressed disappointment at the current impasse but reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Ministry to complete outstanding installations and maintain system integrity.

“The LHIMS platform has served Ghana effectively for nearly nine years. It remains one of the continent’s most robust e-health systems. We hope this clarification ends speculation and allows for a constructive resolution,” the statement concluded.

Source: Adomonline

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Read the full statement below:

I have always been a workaholic – and I don’t say this with the pride you would think. I was the guy who was always willing to commit another hour, another shift, another day – it was always just one more task.

Right from my days as a radio morning show host at the University of Ghana, Legon, to becoming a multimedia journalist at Joy 99.7 FM and JoyNews, before leaving for the UK, everyone who has known me, knows how passionate I am about my work.

To be able to do what you love, and get paid for it, summed up why I kept giving more and more of myself, even sometimes at the expense of my own wellbeing.

I must be honest, that lifestyle has paid off in ways I never imagined. It has opened doors, gotten me into rooms I could only dream of, and brought me accelerated breakthroughs even in my relatively short professional life.

So I’m aware it’s the price you pay for greatness – or so I thought. Working incredibly long hours while surviving on 2-4hrs of sleep was normal. I missed meals because I didn’t have time to eat well, I’ll down energy drinks to power me through the busy days, and when the slow days came, it was really sedentary for me.

I was never forced to do these, but more importantly, there were no guardrails to regulate this habit. So, typical of someone with unbridled passion for their job, this went on for a while until my body didn’t feel right anymore.

When I eventually went to the hospital, the doctors said I may not have made it to the next day alive. And with a blood sugar level of 33mol/l at the time, thank God I went there when I did!

To appropriate the words of the good book, what shall it profit a man, to work so hard for success and not live to see or enjoy the fruits of his labour?

This is my story – only I’m still alive to tell it. But it is also the story of so many workers across Ghana. We live at work, but go home to sleep. Across our workplaces, we know, we’re all dying slowly. Instead of working to live, we’re living to work.

And with the recent scary surge in non-communicable diseases among working professionals, it has become all the more important to turn our attention to workplaces and how they are impacting the health of our workforce.

That’s exactly why I started MentaPulse Africa – to lead advocacy for employee mental health and wellbeing in Ghana, and across the African continent – and we mean it.

After months of sensitisation, advocacy, outreach and community mobilisation from outside the country, I returned in October to convene the maiden edition of the #GhanaHealthandLabourSummit which brought together all the key stakeholders across Ghana’s employment mix to assess the hidden link between work and health.

With the full backing of the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment as well as the sector Minister, Hon D. Rashid Pelpuo, we are developing Ghana’s first Workplace Health and Wellbeing Declaration, which will among other things, streamline government, employer and employee actions, towards creating healthier workplaces.

I’m grateful to my team at MentaPulse Africa for such an incredible job, as well as our partners, including the University of Ghana School of Public Health, Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana, Ghana Employers Association, Mental Health Authority, and several other professional and worker unions, who contributed in diverse ways to making this possible.

To our sponsors, Merban Capital, CecilMorgan Heights, MAB International Hospital, Zoe Premium Dental and Twellium Industries, we say thank you – once again.

As we begin a new month today, I remember fondly what we did a few weeks ago. We lit a flame of transformation and began a movement for change – until workplaces in Ghana are reset to allow employees to truly thrive.

Source: Manuel Koranteng

Ms Keita said contraceptives are not only essential to women’s health but also critical to economic growth, education, and gender equality. She noted that the world is now facing a crisis as supply chains weaken and contraceptive stocks run low in vulnerable communities.

“Contraceptives save lives. For almost 50 years, global health authorities have recognised contraception as essential medicine. People want them, use them, and rely on them every day,” she said in a statement.

The UNFPA chief cautioned that the current funding shortfall could reverse decades of progress in reproductive health, especially in developing countries where women depend on international support for access to family planning.

“Health systems are bracing for a rise in unintended pregnancies, which are in turn linked to higher rates of maternal death, including due to unsafe abortion,” Ms Keita said.

“And the impacts are likely to extend far beyond health care—we can expect to see adolescent pregnancies, school dropouts, and even increased risk of gender-based violence.”

She highlighted that access to contraceptives empowers women and adolescent girls to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. Studies, she said, have shown that when women have access to contraception, they are more likely to complete school, find employment, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

School supplies

“Every $1 spent ending unmet need for contraception yields nearly $27 in economic benefits,” Ms. Keita noted, underscoring the broader socioeconomic importance of sustained investment in family planning.

UNFPA and its partners have, for decades, strengthened health systems and supply chains to ensure the availability of quality, affordable contraceptives even in remote areas.

Ms. Keita urged governments and donors to protect those gains and “work together to keep our promise to women and adolescent girls, uphold their rights and choices, and ensure they have access to the contraceptives they need to plan and forge a healthy and prosperous future.”

The warning comes as several low- and middle-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, face disruptions in contraceptive supply due to funding cuts and global health financing gaps. 

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Ghana’s own reproductive health services rely partly on UNFPA support to ensure the continuous availability of family planning commodities in public health facilities.

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I will resign if… Akandoh vows over LHIMS saga [Listen]

The Foundation believes awareness and screening should be held at least twice a year to save more lives through early detection.

Board Chair of the PEADATO Foundation, Dr. Gertrude Asiedu, says the Foundation’s commitment aligns with the global Pink October campaign, which aims to remind women of the importance of regular breast screenings.

“I would encourage all women across all that, do not wait for the 31st of October before you get yourself screened or before you get yourself checked. Make it your priority to continuously check yourself. Check regularly to get yourself saved,” she said.

In collaboration with the Asokwa Municipal Assembly, the Foundation undertook a free breast screening exercise at Gyinase.

The breast cancer awareness program brought together people from various communities, reinforcing one message that could save many lives: early detection is the best protection.

A beneficiary of the program, Joyce Opoku, shared her personal story, expressing how the experience of losing a close friend to breast cancer pushed her to get screened.

“I lost someone I lived with to breast cancer because it was detected too late. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to come to this screening. I want to tell every woman out there don’t wait. Get checked early, because breast cancer is real and can take lives,” she said.

Dr. Asiedu explained that the Foundation’s mission is to educate, inspire, and impact communities.

“PEADATO Foundation is all about inspiring change and giving back to society. Through this initiative, we want to encourage the youth and women to prioritize their health and engage in activities that promote wellness,” she added.

She also appealed to individuals and stakeholders to support the foundation financially, stressing that such contributions are vital to sustain their programs.

The Health Promotion Officer of the Asokwa Municipal Health Directorate, Selena Osei-Tutu, addressed common fears and misconceptions surrounding breast cancer. She cautioned against the use of herbal products or unapproved remedies, advising people to seek professional medical help.

“If you notice any strange signs in your breast, don’t rely on herbs or home treatments. The best step is to visit the hospital for screening and take medical advice seriously,” she said.

The Administrator of PEADATO Foundation, Abena Oforiwaa Dadzie, also emphasized the need for the government to strengthen awareness efforts and equip health facilities with the necessary tools for screening.

She said the initiative was inspired by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global campaign on breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is real, and early detection saves lives. We shouldn’t wait until October to get screened. I believe adding another month to raise awareness and providing hospitals with the needed resources will help us fight this disease better,” she stated.

The PEADATO Foundation, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to improving lives through health, education, and economic empowerment initiatives. Its goal is to support vulnerable groups, promote health education, and reduce breast cancer mortality rates among women and men.

Source: Josephine Sagoe

Management is therefore appealing to government, philanthropists, and benevolent organisations to urgently come to their aid.

Established in 1988, the Centre, which provides rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities and mental health challenges, has not seen any major renovation since its inception.

Public Health Officer and Nurse Manager of the Centre, Harriet Osei-Wusu, described the situation as alarming, noting that the facility’s rooms and essential amenities have deteriorated significantly over the years.

According to her, the Centre also faces severe challenges in accessing and sustaining the supply of essential medications.

Ms. Osei-Wusu underscored the importance of proactive mental health care, urging the public to undergo regular mental health check-ups as part of their wellness routine.

She made the appeal when the Old Students Association of St. Monica’s Senior High School donated food items, assorted drinks, and sanitary materials to support the Centre’s operations.

Global Communication Officer of the Association, Dede Larweh, reiterated their commitment to community service, stressing the importance of giving back to society and supporting vulnerable groups.

The Association also used the occasion to encourage young girls to prioritise education, avoid drug abuse, and make positive life choices that contribute to a brighter future.

The donation formed part of activities marking the 79th Anniversary Celebration of St. Monica’s SHS under the theme: “Quality Education: Embracing a Dynamic and Holistic Approach for the Twenty-First Century.”

Located in Asante Mampong, St. Monica’s SHS has over the years produced outstanding women contributing meaningfully to Ghana’s development across various sectors.

Source: David Opoku

The clarification comes amid growing exchanges between the two officials over the management and performance of the LHIMS project — a system developed to digitise patient records nationwide.

Dr. Okoe Boye had earlier maintained that Lightwave is a fully Ghanaian-owned company, stressing that the nation’s health data is securely hosted within the Ministry of Health and not in India, contrary to circulating reports. He also cautioned that government’s decision to introduce a new platform — the Ghana Healthcare Information Management System (GHIMS) — could undermine the gains made under the LHIMS initiative.

Responding in an interview on Citi FM, Mr. Akandoh accused the former minister of misrepresenting his remarks to divert public attention from the core issues surrounding the digital health platform.

“It is very interesting that Okoe Boye is the spokesperson for Lightwave at this point in time. I have never on this earth stated that Lightwave is not a Ghanaian company.

“So Okoe Boye is setting his own questions and answering them. He should play my voice anywhere that I said that company is not a Ghanaian company,” Mr. Akandoh stated.

The initiative, in collaboration with the Goaso Government Hospital, aims to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer, particularly among market women who often have limited time to visit health facilities for check-ups.

Speaking to Adom News, Dr. Tandoh expressed concern over the rising number of breast cancer cases in Ghana, noting that an average of 12 women are diagnosed daily — a situation he described as alarming.

He explained that the screening exercise is part of efforts to encourage preventive healthcare and raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis.

“Many of these women are always busy, so bringing the screening closer to them helps them know their health status without disrupting their daily activities,” Dr. Tandoh said.

Participants also received screenings for diabetes, hepatitis, and HIV, with many expressing gratitude to Dr. Tandoh and the medical team for the gesture.

Health officials noted that the exercise forms part of a broader campaign to reduce breast cancer deaths through education, early detection, and timely medical intervention.

Source: Sammy Asare

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The platform, called the Ghana Healthcare Information Management System (GHIMS), was recently launched by the government to replace the Lightwave Health Information Management System, which had been plagued by technical failures and service disruptions, particularly in the Ashanti Region.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced a four-week nationwide migration plan, starting with teaching hospitals, regional hospitals, and major district hospitals, before expanding to other district hospitals, clinics, health centres, and CHPS compounds.

GHIMS is designed to ensure reliable electronic health records, reduce patient processing delays, and prevent a return to manual systems that previously slowed healthcare delivery.

Speaking on Channel One TV, Prof. Beyuo said staff at Ridge Hospital were enthusiastic about the new system’s efficiency and flexibility.

“What I can confirm is that our colleagues at Ridge Hospital are jubilating because the new software introduced is more user-friendly. It is very accessible. People can make changes and customise it to institutional demands. I have personally called the Minister of Health to suggest that Korle Bu should be the next place for piloting,” he stated.

Speaking at a webinar on “Strengthening Vaccine Communication in Ghana,” the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, highlighted the critical role of journalists in shaping public perception and promoting vaccine confidence.

He noted that while Ghana’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has recorded significant success — with coverage exceeding 85% for most antigens — vaccine hesitancy driven by misinformation, cultural beliefs, and mistrust remains a major challenge.

“A vaccine can only save lives when people understand, trust, and accept it. That is where the media plays a crucial role,” Dr Sodzi stressed.

He commended the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the EPI, the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), and media partners for their collaboration in promoting accurate and responsible health reporting.

Dr Sodzi noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep global inequalities in vaccine access, underscoring the need for African countries to take charge of their vaccine production. This, he explained, led to the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute under Act 1097 of 2023 to coordinate vaccine research, development, and manufacturing in Ghana.

“The NVI’s vision is to build a self-sufficient, resilient, and innovative vaccine ecosystem in Ghana,” he said, adding that the Institute’s work is guided by integrity, innovation, collaboration, accountability, professionalism, and impact.

Progress Toward Vaccine Independence

Dr Sodzi outlined key milestones achieved under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama as part of the government’s “reset agenda” to strengthen pandemic preparedness and health security.

Among the progress highlighted were:

• Technology Transfer Partnership: A collaboration between Ghana’s Atlantic Lifesciences Ltd. and Indonesia’s PT Bio Farma to accelerate local production of the Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine by 2026. The partnership also aims to enhance Ghana’s research and technical manufacturing capacity.
• Government’s $50 Million Commitment: In August 2025, the government pledged an additional $50 million in seed funding to the NVI and began developing an Advance Market Commitment (AMC) framework. This will prioritise government procurement of locally produced vaccines and sera, ensuring sustainability for local manufacturers.
• Development of a Legislative Instrument: Work is ongoing to finalise the Legislative Instrument (LI) for Act 1097, which will establish the legal framework for the Institute’s operations and long-term financing.

Media as a Strategic Partner in Health Security

Dr Sodzi stressed that scientific progress must be matched by effective communication, noting that misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic spread faster than the virus itself.

“Accurate and responsible reporting is a matter of national health security,” he said. “Health communication is not a one-time effort; it is a continuous collaboration between scientists, health professionals, and the media.”

He urged journalists to embrace evidence-based reporting, fact-checking, and contextual storytelling to dispel myths and boost public confidence in vaccines and health interventions.

“The story of vaccine development in Ghana is not only about science. It is also about national pride, resilience, and innovation,” he added.

Dr Sodzi reaffirmed the NVI’s commitment to working with the Ghana Health Service, EPI, regulatory agencies, universities, and the media to build a transparent, trusted, and self-reliant vaccine ecosystem.

He concluded by assuring the public that the NVI, in collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and vaccine manufacturers, will uphold the highest standards of safety and quality in all production processes.

“The NVI believes that accurate, ethical, and well-informed journalism is a cornerstone of public health. Together, we can build a future where health information empowers, vaccines protect, and every citizen has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified life,” Dr Sodzi said.

Source: Ivy Setordjie

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Akandoh said that despite receiving more than 70 percent of the contract amount, the contractor failed to complete the assigned work, having connected fewer than half of the planned health facilities.

“They brought me an invoice — why should I pay that, especially when they’ve already received 77 million dollars? At worst, they could have gone to court rather than switching off the system. That’s holding the country to ransom,” he stated.

Mr. Akandoh added that the new Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS), developed to replace the malfunctioning LHIMS, has full legal backing from the Attorney General to ensure better control and sustainability.

He assured Ghanaians that all due diligence has been done.

“As Minister, I won’t take a reckless decision,” he affirmed.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Akandoh said the government has ensured that facilities are paid monthly, marking a significant improvement over past delays.

“There is no facility under NHIS that can say they haven’t been paid. From January to June, all payments have been made,” he emphasized.

He further disclosed that nursing training allowances are being paid consistently, except during vacation periods, and that school feeding allowances have also been settled.

“This government is very strategic. We make sure our commitments are met on time,” the minister stated.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that Cabinet has approved the payments and that the Ministry of Finance has directed the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to initiate disbursements.

“From November this year, they will be paid. However, the arrears will be rolled out in phases,” he stated.

At an earlier press briefing, the Minister explained that the delays were caused by the lack of financial clearance for the recruitment of about 13,500 nurses and midwives by the previous administration.

He assured health workers that government is taking steps to address the outstanding arrears systematically while ensuring the sustainability of payroll management within the health sector.

READ ALSO:

• 
  Health Minister refers Lightwave Health System contract infractions to Attorney General
• Setutsi Goka Ivowi appointed to the Board of Unilever Ghana Plc
• Over 120,000 National Service personnel received allowances for multiple years — Forensic audit report

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that the contractor had the power to switch the national health data system on or off “at will,” disrupting healthcare delivery across the country.

“Our forensic audit revealed a gap of about 18 million dollars. Out of the 77 million dollars they received, about 10 to 11 million was meant for 157 facilities, but only seven were completed. When we tried to engage them to prevent disruptions, they refused to give us access to the data unless we altered the contract terms in their favour,” he stated.

Mr. Akandoh described the situation as unacceptable, revealing that the vendor completely shut down the system for nearly two weeks.

He further announced that a new Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) has been developed to replace LHIMS and will be fully owned by the state.

According to him, the new contract has the backing of the Attorney General to ensure transparency and national control.

“I can assure Ghanaians that as Minister, I won’t take a reckless decision. We have done thorough work, and this time, the system will belong to the state,” he affirmed.

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  Health Minister refers Lightwave Health System contract infractions to Attorney General
• Setutsi Goka Ivowi appointed to the Board of Unilever Ghana Plc
• Over 120,000 National Service personnel received allowances for multiple years — Forensic audit report

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, October 29, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealed that investigations by his ministry uncovered major breaches in the execution of the Lightwave contract.

Although the contractor delivered less than half of the planned health facility connections, it received over $77 million, representing more than 70 percent of the total contract sum, Mr. Akandoh said.

To address the system’s failures and ensure seamless healthcare operations nationwide, the government has developed a new platform — the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS) — to replace the malfunctioning LHIMS.

“Since we began this journey, all stakeholders have been on board. From the CEOs of the teaching hospitals, the medical superintendent, EOCO, the Attorney General, Minister for Communication, everybody has been on board. So the issue of legality and security issues has been referred to the Attorney General for advice and appropriate action,” the Minister explained.

Mr. Akandoh also disclosed that the Lightwave contract was never presented to Parliament for consideration and accused the vendor of failing to act in good faith, complicating renegotiation efforts.

The government has directed Lightwave to hand over the system and its infrastructure to the state, but this process was complicated by the system being hosted on a cloud platform in India, limiting Ghana’s control over its operations.

The new system, named the Ghana Health Information Management System (GHIMS), replaces the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS), which the government says failed to meet its objectives.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, October 29, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh criticized the company behind LHIMS for underperformance and what he described as blackmail.

“Ghanaians will never go back to the manual way. We are moving forward responsibly, confidently, and decisively. At this point, I would want to share with you the facts, nothing but the facts as we inherited,” he said.

Mr. Mintah Akandoh explained that in 2019, the government signed a $100 million contract with Lightwave to connect 950 health facilities nationwide through LHIMS. The contract, initially set to end in 2022, was extended twice—first to 2023 and later to December 31, 2024—due to delays in implementation.

“At the end of the expiration, out of the 950 facilities, only 450 had been connected. You would all agree with me that a contract meant for three years, extended to five years, but with only 450 facilities delivered, clearly shows the company underperformed,” he said.

He added that although less than half the work had been completed, over 70% of the total contract sum had already been paid.

“By December 2024, the vendor had been paid about $77 million out of the $100 million. Clearly, more than 70% of the total amount had been paid, yet less than 50% of the work was done,” he noted.

The Minister said a forensic audit revealed further irregularities in the supply of hardware, including shortages and poor-quality equipment.

“We realised that even the hardware supply had gaps. If the contract stated that HP laptops should be supplied, cheaper brands were delivered. If it said 100 computers, fewer were supplied. The gap in hardware alone was not less than $18 million,” he stated.

Mr. Mintah Akandoh also raised serious concerns about data security and sovereignty, explaining that LHIMS’s cloud infrastructure was hosted outside Ghana.

“It is unconscionable for any company to have access to the electronic medical records of Ghanaians without the state having control. With the cloud infrastructure built somewhere in India, we had to act,” he said.

The Ministry has referred the matter to the Attorney-General’s Department and relevant security agencies for advice and further action.

Meanwhile, ongoing disruptions in the LHIMS system forced some hospitals to revert temporarily to manual record-keeping, and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) reported service downtimes affecting patient services.

Mr. Mintah Akandoh said the government’s focus now is on restoring stability and ensuring that public health facilities can operate without interruption under the new GHIMS platform.

“As a Ministry, our concern was to find a solution to this mess. Even though we didn’t have any contract with the vendor at the time, we indicated that we were ready to sign a maintenance agreement to cover the 450 facilities. But the software itself was not owned by the state. That is why it was called the Lightwave Health Information Management System. We are now taking full control.”

Yet, a growing number of young Africans are rising to the task by leading advocacy for the continent’s health sovereignty.

This was the key highlight of the 8th Galien Africa Forum, which opened on October 28, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal.

The first of the three-day conference was held under the theme: “Rethinking Health Leadership: Preparing a Generation Capable of Defending Africa’s Health Sovereignty in a Technological and Globalized World.”

More than 2,500 participants, including scientists, health professionals, policymakers, development partners, and students are attending the forum both in-person and virtually.

The gathering seeks to re-examine Africa’s contribution to global health leadership and to reaffirm the continent’s commitment to asserting control over its own health priorities.

One of the major attractions at the forum was an exhibition by young, innovation-driven African scientists showcasing promising technological solutions aimed at addressing persistent health challenges.

Among the projects presented were pitches on Universal Access to Healthcare: Leveraging Biometrics and AI, Safe Water Hubs, and Integrated Health Systems.

Participants were invited to evaluate and endorse the best ideas for possible future adoption and implementation.

Two medical students leading a team of ten, Samuel Afolabi from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and Lydia Ankomah Oben from the University of Ghana Medical School both presented a pitch on Universal Access to Healthcare Leveraging Biometrics and AI.

Speaking to JoyNews Editor Emefa Ewoenam Atiamoah-Eli who is also Ghana’s National Coordinator of the Africa Media Network for the Promotion of Health and Environment (REMAPSEN), at the Forum, Afolabi explained that technology holds the key to bridging Africa’s healthcare gaps.

“Many people in Africa lack the proper data needed to access quality healthcare. Some spend two to three hours at hospitals for consultations that should last less than 30 minutes, while others walk several kilometers just to see a doctor,” he said.

The team’s proposed solution is a simple mobile application designed to close these gaps and help Africa take greater control of its health needs.

Lydia Ankomah Obeng emphasised that “education and awareness creation in remote areas are critical to getting people to adopt and use the app for improved well-being.” She expressed optimism that with the adequate government and development partner support, the innovation could be scaled up across the continent.

Making a strong case for Africa to take ownership of its health data, Prof. Dr. Bamba Gaye, a Research Scientist in Preventive Cardiology at the Institute of Health and Development (ISED), University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, stressed that “Africa must become an active contributor to AI systems by feeding them with its own data to avoid biased, externally sourced information that misrepresents the continent’s true health realities.”

Under the leadership of Prof. Marie Coll Seck, President of Galien Africa, the opening day of the 8^th Galien Forum attracted several high-level dignitaries. In her address, Prof. Seck intimated that “Africa is not just a continent, it is the driving force for innovation.”

She called for the scaling up of local production and promotion of African health products, urging stakeholders to help mobilise resources and expertise toward achieving true health sovereignty.

Officially opening the forum, Senegal’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ibrahima Sy, called on participants to view health sovereignty not merely as a slogan but as a collective responsibility.

“Reclaiming autonomy over Africa’s health requires deliberate action, investing in youth training and technological innovation in healthcare delivery,” he stated.

He explained that the Authority is sensitising market women, drivers, and other informal workers on how to renew their membership using the short code *929#, eliminating the need to physically visit NHIA offices.

“This initiative allows us to connect directly with the public and also helps us gather first-hand information about the challenges members face. These are issues we need to address urgently to make the scheme more effective,” he said.

The Acting Operations Manager for NHIA in the region, Thomas Asante Krobea Opare, also highlighted that the Ahafo Region currently leads the country in active NHIS coverage—a feat he attributed to the dedication of district directors and field officers.

“Our team is determined to ensure that the number of active subscribers keeps improving significantly. The measures in place are working, and we’re committed to sustaining the momentum,” he assured.

The “Market Storm” campaign underscores the NHIA’s goal of expanding health insurance coverage through innovation and community engagement, ensuring that more Ghanaians can conveniently access affordable healthcare.

Source: Sammy Asare

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The handover ceremony, held in Accra and themed “Transfer of Leadership Mandate: From Partnership to Ownership,” brought together the leadership of PharmAccess and SafeCare—both from Ghana and the international headquarters—and CHAG, to celebrate the successful local institutionalization and ownership of one of Ghana’s most transformative healthcare quality initiatives.

The event marked a symbolic milestone — a transition from technical partnership to full local ownership — as PharmAccess, the international health development organization that pioneered the SafeCare standards and quality improvement (QI) approach in Ghana and other parts of the world, officially handed over operational leadership and a sustainable model for continuous implementation of the system to CHAG.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Director of CHAG, Dr Peter Yeboah, described the occasion as “solemn, proud, and deeply meaningful.”

He reflected on a six-year journey that began with cautious optimism and has since evolved into a national benchmark for healthcare quality and safety.

“When we began this partnership about five or six years ago, it was not just another project,” he said.

“It was the birth of a movement that sought to redefine what quality means in healthcare delivery. We came together on the conviction that access to care, though necessary, is not sufficient. What truly saves lives is access to quality, effective, and dignified care — care that treats the human person as more than a statistic, but as a being deserving of compassion and excellence.”

Adding to this, the Executive Director, announced that thirty-nine CHAG facilities have now attained SafeCare Level 4 certification, while others at various levels of quality rating have achieved more than 90% improvement in their scores.

He emphasised that these advancements mark a significant leap forward in healthcare delivery, noting that every improvement contributes to saving lives, strengthening patient trust, and restoring the dignity of care.

To sustain this progress, CHAG has established a dedicated SafeCare Quality Hub — a centre for training, mentorship, and performance monitoring — designed to ensure continuous quality improvement and capacity development beyond the handover.

In addition, CHAG has developed a sustainable business model to support the long-term implementation of the SafeCare system.

The model integrates multiple revenue streams — including member contributions, partnerships programs integration, and a token-based procurement system for facility participation — to ensure that quality improvement remains both financially viable and locally driven.

This approach positions CHAG to independently manage, scale, and continuously enhance the SafeCare program as an integral part of its broader health system strengthening agenda.

The impact of the SafeCare program has extended well beyond CHAG’s network. Working together, PharmAccess and CHAG successfully advocated for the recognition of the SafeCare standards and QI approach by Ghana’s Ministry of Health as a national quality improvement model.

The Ghana Health Service and the Health Facilities Regulatory Authority (HeFRA) have also adopted the framework within their quality assurance systems.

He stressed that the handover should not be seen as an endpoint, but an evolution in Ghana’s health quality journey.

On his part, Dr. Maxwell Antwi, the Country Director of PharmAccess Ghana, reflected with gratitude and resolve, recalling the program’s humble beginnings and hard-won successes.

 “When we began in 2019, the CHAG-SafeCare program was just a concept. Today, it has become the second most unifying factor within CHAG after salaries — and that says a lot for a network that’s been around for more than a century.” Dr Antwi credited CHAG’s leadership — particularly Dr Yeboah and his team — for their unwavering vision and persistence, noting that the partnership thrived because “they viewed health transformation not as a job, but as a mission.”

Adding a global perspective, Ms. Roelinde Bakker, International Director of SafeCare, commended CHAG and Ghana for their achievements, expressing admiration for the scale and impact of implementation in the country. She shared insights from her recent visits to St. James Polyclinic – Abesim and Holy Family Hospital – Berekum, where she witnessed the transformation firsthand.

“SafeCare operates in 25 countries with 39 partners, and CHAG in Ghana stands out as one of our strongest networks. We are extremely proud that more than 350 facilities from the CHAG network are implementing SafeCare. What we have learned from Ghana is shaping how we expand to new countries.”

She praised CHAG’s leadership for extending SafeCare even to remote areas and for empowering healthcare professionals with real-time data and actionable insights.

She concluded by reaffirming that PharmAccess and SafeCare remain committed to working alongside CHAG and the Ghana Health Service to extend quality standards across the entire health sector.

Ms. Bonifacia Benefo Agyei, Country Director of SafeCare in Ghana, commended CHAG for its leadership, vision, and commitment to quality improvement. She noted that the transition marks not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter of locally led innovation and sustainability in healthcare quality.

She said the handover symbolises more than the transfer of a system; it represents trust, capacity, and a shared vision for quality healthcare for all.

She continued that CHAG has demonstrated that with the proper structure, commitment, and leadership, local institutions can successfully sustain and scale international quality improvement models.

Ms Bonifacia Agyei expressed that PharmAccess is proud to have been part of crafting this transformative journey and remains committed to supporting Ghana’s broader health system strengthening efforts.

She reaffirmed PharmAccess’ confidence in CHAG’s capacity to manage the SafeCare system sustainably, highlighting that the new business and operational model developed by CHAG aligns with global best practices for health system ownership and accountability.

What began under external guidance has matured into a locally owned, nationally recognised model of excellence — one that reflects the power of partnership, purpose and faith in transforming healthcare.

Throughout the month, the series featured powerful conversations, expert insights, and inspiring personal stories that explored different types of cancers, their management, and the journeys of survival and hope.

This playlist brings together all the episodes from the Joy Cancer Month Awareness Series — a must-listen collection for anyone seeking knowledge, encouragement, and a deeper understanding of how together, we can confront cancer with awareness, care, and compassion.

Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series | Episode 15: Retinoblastoma with Dr. Samira Yamyolia

Surviving Cancer: Dede Offei Takes Us Through Her Journey & a Daughter Who Broke Down 3 Years Later

Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series | Episode 13: Ovarian Cancer with Prof. Samuel Antwi Oppong

Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series | Episode 12: Cervical Cancer with Prof. Samuel Antwi Oppong

Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series | Episode 11: Breast Cancer (Part Two) with Prof. Kafui Akakpo

Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series | Episode 10: Breast Cancer (Part One) with Prof. Kafui Akakpo

Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series | Episode 9: Understanding Lung Cancer with Dr. Nana Ama Wadee

 Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series | Episode 8: Understanding Prostate Cancer with Dr. Isaac Aidoo

Joy Cancer Month Awareness Series Ep.7: Liver Cancer

Joy Cancer Month Awareness Series Ep. 6: Colorectal Cancer

Joy Cancer Month Awareness Series Ep. 5: Palliative Care in Cancer Management

Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series Ep. 4: Cancer Therapy-Chemotherapy & Radiation

Joy Cancer Month Awareness Series Ep. 3: Cancer Therapy [Surgical Treatment]

Joy Cancer Awareness Month Series Episode 2: Investigative Tools for Cancer Diagnosis

80% of Cervical Cancer Cases Are Preventable – What Ghanaians Need to Know About Cancer Screening

Source: Myjoyonline

Rather, he said they stemmed from issues with software providers managing the scheme’s digital infrastructure.

The clarification came in response to a request by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, who wanted the Health Minister to appear before Parliament next week to brief members on the ongoing disruptions affecting NHIS operations.

In what appeared to be a revealing exchange during last Friday’s parliamentary sitting in Accra, Mr. Ayariga stated, “The problem is not money. The NHIS has funds. The real issue is with the software providers who are failing to deliver a reliable system.”

He emphasised that technical failures had led to frequent system downtimes, frustrating healthcare providers and patients alike.

Mr. Shaib had earlier raised alarm over the persistent breakdowns in NHIS systems, which had disrupted access to healthcare services across the country.

The Weija-Gbawe legislator called for urgent intervention, noting that many constituents are unable to access care due to verification challenges and delays in claims processing.

“The Health Minister must come here and explain what is being done to fix this,” Mr. Shaib insisted, urging Parliament to treat the matter as a national priority.

The NHIS has faced mounting criticisms in recent months over its digital infrastructure.

Hospitals and pharmacies have reported frequent outages in the claims and verification systems, leading to service delays and out-of-pocket payments by insured patients.

Mr. Ayariga’s remarks shift the focus from financial constraints to technical accountability, raising questions about the performance and oversight of contracted software vendors.

Parliament is expected to summon the Health Minister next week to provide a comprehensive briefing on the NHIS’s operational challenges and outline steps being taken to resolve the software issues.

As Ghana continues to expand access to universal healthcare, the reliability of NHIS systems remains critical to public trust and service delivery.

Source: GNA

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“For us to have an effective fight against breast cancer in Asutifi South, efforts must be intensified,” she said.

A midwife at the hospital, Cecilia Newman, expressed concern about the increasing trend of self-medication among women who experience changes in their breasts.

She advised residents to report any unusual breast symptoms to the hospital for professional examination rather than resorting to self-treatment.

“Self-medication is not the solution to fighting breast cancer. Once you notice any strange change in your breast, please visit the hospital for proper care,” she urged.

The hospital’s initiative forms part of Ghana’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which encourages early detection and preventive health practices to reduce fatalities linked to the disease.

Source: Sammy Asare

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Speaking on JoyNews AM Show, Mr. Mahama said the current situation is undermining the efficiency gains made through digital health systems over the past decade.

According to him, storing patient information manually makes it harder for doctors and nurses to access the data they need for diagnosis and treatment.

He noted that such delays can be dangerous in emergencies.

“Once data is stored manually and physical files are kept at a registry, it becomes difficult to trace patient records,” he said. “These unnecessary delays can sometimes cause unnecessary loss of lives.”

Kabiru further explained that digital systems were initially adopted to solve these very challenges by making patient records accessible in real-time and improving coordination among medical staff.

However, the recent disruption of the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS) has forced some health facilities to revert to manual and semi-digital procedures.

The setback stems from ongoing financial disagreements between the Ministry of Health and Lightwave eHealthcare Solutions Limited, the private company that has operated the LHIMS platform for more than ten years.

Despite its central role in managing digital patient records and processing insurance claims nationwide, the company has reportedly not been paid for months, leaving its operations unstable.

Kabiru also pointed out that some service providers are now struggling to maintain old or outdated digital infrastructure.

“We have situations where equipment and software have become obsolete due to a lack of investment,” he said.

“Once that happens, health facilities cannot keep up with the times or maintain consistent service.”

The Ghana Health Service and the National Health Insurance Authority have yet to announce a long-term solution to the disruptions, though interim measures are being implemented.

Source: myjoyonline

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Source: Sammy Asare

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