Accra: Ghana has renewed its commitment to the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), with calls for stronger collaboration, sustained country investment, and community ownership to end such diseases. Dr Hafiz Adam, the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, made the call on Friday, on behalf of the Health Minister, at a durbar to mark the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2026 in Accra, on the global theme: 'Unite. Act. Eliminate.'
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Adam emphasized Ghana's political commitment to tackling NTDs through increased resource mobilization, stronger leadership at district and community levels, and sustained partnerships. He highlighted that the World NTD Day serves as a reminder that these diseases still exist in Ghana but are preventable, treatable, and, in many cases, eliminable. Dr Adam praised development partners for their support and acknowledged the efforts of health workers and community volunteers in delivering life-saving interventions across the country.
Globally, neglected tropical diseases affect more than one billion people, primarily in impoverished communities, yet they often receive limited attention and funding despite their significant health, social, and economic impact. Dr Adam noted that global efforts are yielding results, with many countries, including Ghana, eliminating certain NTDs. Ghana has successfully eradicated Guinea worm, trachoma, and human African trypanosomiasis.
In Ghana, 14 NTDs are currently managed under the Ghana Health Service. These include trachoma, intestinal worms, river blindness, bilharzia, lymphatic filariasis, Buruli ulcer, leprosy, yaws, sleeping sickness, and cutaneous leishmaniasis, which has recently been identified in two regions. Dr Adam explained that these diseases cause severe health consequences but emphasized that early detection and treatment can prevent long-term complications.
Ghana's strategy for controlling and eliminating NTDs includes mass drug administration, early case detection and treatment, health education, behavior change interventions, and improved access to safe water and sanitation. Dr Adam stressed that limited resources remain a major challenge and called for domestic resource mobilization to sustain the gains made so far. He urged stakeholders to unite across sectors, act through strong leadership and adequate funding, and scale up proven interventions to eliminate NTDs.
Dr Robert Amesiya, the Greater Accra Regional Health Director, called on stakeholders to help improve access to safe water and scale up Mass Drug Administration. He urged traditional leaders to increase vigilance for NTDs and encourage immediate referral to health facilities.
Dr Joyce Aryee, Ghana's NTD Ambassador, advocated for decisive actions in addressing these diseases and suggested renaming them from Neglected Tropical Diseases to Tropical Diseases to reduce stigma. She called on policymakers to fulfill Ghana's commitment under the Kigali Declaration by integrating NTDs prevention programs into the National Health Budget and scaling up treatment and education at the Primary Healthcare Level.
The event brought together traditional authorities, local government officials, Members of Parliament, health sector leaders, development partners, religious leaders, health workers, and community volunteers to discuss the issue. Neglected Tropical Diseases primarily affect poor and vulnerable communities in tropical and subtropical regions and are often neglected in terms of attention, funding, and research compared to diseases like HIV, Tuberculosis, or malaria. They thrive in conditions of poverty, poor sanitation, unsafe water, and limited access to healthcare and can cause long-term disability, stigma, economic hardship, and sometimes death if untreated.