AGP Executive Report

US Health Compact: Washington wants to reopen talks on its proposed $109 million health deal, which Ghana rejected over concerns including access to private medical records and limits on the FDA. President Mahama says disputed terms could be changed or removed. Yellow Fever: Ghana has declared an outbreak in the Upper West Region after three deaths. The country recorded 450 suspected cases from June, though the Health Minister says the situation is under control. Maternal Care: Health professionals are being urged to put medical knowledge into practice to prevent maternal and newborn deaths; Ghana recorded 965 institutional maternal deaths in 2025. Primary Healthcare: Mahama has commissioned two CHPS compounds in the Ahafo Region. The Health Minister says active NHIS membership has risen to 70%, while Ghana is targeting its first locally manufactured vaccine by 2027. Breast Cancer: A decade-long Delta Air Lines and Breast Care International partnership has reached more than 166,000 people with education and screened over 22,500.

Health Compact: The US wants to revise Ghana’s rejected five-year, $109 million health deal. President Mahama says talks will address concerns over access to private medical records, pathogen data and Ghana’s regulatory authority. Primary Care: Mahama commissioned two CHPS compounds in Ahafo, bringing basic services closer to residents; the Ahyiaem facility is expected to join the Free Primary Healthcare programme. Child Health: Ho-Dome Queenmother Attrato II urged mothers to keep up routine vaccinations and antenatal visits, warning that online misinformation could put children at risk. Health Workforce: Government plans to recruit 16,500 health professionals this year, but speakers at a health and labour summit said better working conditions are vital to retaining staff. Yellow Fever: Ghana has declared an outbreak in the Upper West after three deaths; 450 suspected cases were recorded nationwide over four months. The Health Minister says the situation is under control, with a rapid response team deployed.

Yellow Fever: Ghana has declared an outbreak in the Upper West Region after three deaths. The Health Minister says 450 suspected cases were recorded from June to September; emergency vaccination is planned in affected districts. Mental Health: The Mental Health Authority recorded 36,196 cases across five conditions in January–June, up 6,414 year-on-year. Schizophrenia-related disorders led the count, as officials call for more specialists, funding and support to reduce stigma. Primary Care: President Mahama commissioned new CHPS compounds at Ahyiaem and Asuatrekrom. Active NHIS membership has also risen to 70%. Cancer Care: Health workers urge prompt checks for painless breast lumps, while advocates warn that fear, misinformation and treatment costs can delay care.

Yellow Fever: Ghana has declared an outbreak in the Upper West Region after three laboratory-confirmed cases—all fatal. Authorities report 450 suspected cases nationwide and are preparing emergency vaccinations for people aged nine months to 60 in affected areas. Health Coverage: Active NHIS membership has risen to 70% in 2026, up from 57%, according to the Health Minister. Health Workforce: Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says hiring nurses and midwives depends on what the government can afford, while stressing he did not claim Ghana has more nurses than it needs. Maternal Care: A Korle Bu obstetrician has urged student nurses and midwives to spot complications early, communicate clearly and refer patients promptly to help prevent avoidable deaths. Breast Cancer: Health advocates say fear, misinformation, stigma, cost and limited access are keeping some women from seeking early care.

Yellow Fever: Ghana has declared an outbreak in parts of the Upper West Region after three laboratory-confirmed cases, all fatal. Rapid-response teams are investigating and a targeted vaccination campaign is planned; the Health Minister also reported 450 suspected cases nationwide between June and September. NHIS: Active membership rose from 56.3% in 2024 to 70% by August 2026, the Health Minister said, citing increased funding and provider payments. Eye Health: The Ghana Health Service is urging regular eye checks and prompt care for vision changes, and wants eye services integrated into primary healthcare. Access to Care: The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is stepping up outreach and support for eligible patients with chronic diseases, as the Ga Mantse called for a system where poverty does not block life-saving treatment. Mental Health: Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie urged employers to reduce stigma and make workplaces supportive for people facing mental health challenges. Childhood Cancer: Zenith Bank donated GH¢150,000 to Ridge Hospital’s paediatric oncology unit through the Go Yellow campaign.

Yellow Fever: Ghana has recorded 450 suspected cases since June, and the Health Ministry says surveillance is being intensified, with a rapid-response team deployed to the Upper West. Health Coverage: Active NHIS membership rose from 56.3% in 2024 to 70% by August 2026, the Health Minister says. Women’s Health: A Zebilla outreach screened about 700 women for breast and cervical cancer; an oncologist also urged the public to reject myths linking tight bras and deodorants to breast cancer and focus on early detection. Community Care: BasicNeeds-Ghana has equipped 42 facilities to improve counselling and mental health support for vulnerable women and girls. Health System: The Minister acknowledged shortages in specialist nurses and said Ghana trains more health workers than it can afford to hire. A 400-bed Mother and Child Centre is also under construction at Korle Bu. Environmental Health: Catholic bishops renewed calls for a state of emergency over galamsey, warning pollution threatens water, food safety and public health.

Maternal Care: Construction has begun on a 400-bed Mother and Child Centre at Korle Bu, with theatres and specialist services planned to ease pressure on Ghana’s leading referral hospital. Emergency Care: A pilot bed-tracking system is giving health officials real-time information on emergency capacity as government plans expansions at major hospitals. Yellow Fever: Ghana has recorded 450 suspected cases since June; a rapid response team has been deployed to the Upper West, where seven deaths have been reported in Sissala East. Health Workforce: Health leaders warn that specialist nurses must be properly deployed and supported, as Ghana trains thousands of health workers it cannot afford to hire. Access and Diagnosis: The Health Minister says NHIS coverage has risen to about 70 per cent. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund also plans advanced diagnostic equipment for hospitals in Cape Coast and Winneba. Prevention: A Korle Bu doctor warns that unsterilised shaving tools used by mobile barbers can spread infections, while breast specialists urge women to notice changes early and seek care promptly.

Yellow Fever: Ghana has recorded 450 suspected cases, prompting intensified surveillance; seven deaths have been reported in Sissala East amid the outbreak. Hospital Expansion: Construction has begun on 160-bed regional hospitals in Oti, Western North and Savannah, with three more planned for 2027. Specialist Care: The Health Minister says infrastructure and financing must be matched with specialist nurse training, deployment and better working conditions. Bed Access: The Ghana Health Service is using real-time bed tracking to tackle “no-bed syndrome.” Medical Travel: Ghanaians seeking treatment in South Africa expected to last over 90 days should secure a medical treatment visa before travelling. Childhood Cancer: Zenith Bank has donated GH¢150,000 to support treatment at Ridge Hospital’s Paediatric Oncology Unit.

Global Health Governance: A BMJ-linked commentary argues the WHO director-general election should be shaped by four focused priorities, warning against “international cosplay” and pushing for stronger country ownership and health systems strengthening. Ghana–India Health & Pharma: Ghana and India are deepening cooperation after talks with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, with emphasis on pharmaceuticals, health security, and local drug and vaccine production under “health sovereignty.” Digital Hospital Link-Up: Loughborough University research highlights a Ghana teaching-hospital digital modernisation that connected 200 facilities to a central call centre and improved care for 1.6 million people. WASH Pressure in Communities: Ashaiman residents report a worsening water shortage for over two weeks, while Nabdam communities face acute water and inadequate toilets, raising health risks for women and children. Maternal Care Support: Friends of MP Bataglia donated a delivery bed to Tumu Municipal Hospital, urging more support for a children’s ward and NICU. Public Health & Training: KNUST VC calls for compassion and dignity in care as SMS-UCC inducts 159 medical students into clinical training. Conservation & Livelihoods: HTU, CSIR and partners launch mapping of Ghana’s baobab population to guide conservation and sustainable use.

Yellow Fever Alert (Sissala East): Seven deaths reported amid a confirmed yellow fever outbreak in Sissala East, with 18 samples sent to Accra and two testing positive; health authorities are training clinicians to spot early signs and refer cases fast. Typhoid Linked to Water Crisis (Ve Golokuati): Ve Golokuati is seeing high typhoid cases blamed on lack of potable water; residents are advised to treat water and improve hygiene while mechanised boreholes are planned. Breast Cancer Access (Western Region): A gender expert warns financial strain and caregiving burdens can delay timely breast cancer care, urging stronger family, workplace and health-system support. Breast Cancer Care Story (Tema): A breast cancer survivor describes a stressful wait for biopsy results and the heavy emotional and physical toll of treatment, highlighting the need for early action. Health Services & Staff (DBI District): Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District Assembly says it’s expanding facilities, equipment and clean water access to improve healthcare in hard-to-reach communities. Nursing Innovation (Volta/Oti): A midwife at Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital wins 2nd Best Nurse/Midwife for low-cost newborn care innovations and safer medication administration. Public Health & Waste (Adipa landfill): Zoomlion pledges a health centre, water project, fumigation and periodic screening for communities affected by waste transport to Adipa. Food & Nutrition Data (KNUST): KNUST pushes for a national food composition database to improve nutrition guidance and standards using Ghana-specific data. Biosafety for Biotech Investment: Environment Minister says Ghana must strengthen biosafety regulation to be clearer and more predictable for biotechnology and vaccine development. Road Safety Tragedy (Ekumfi): Two final-year students die and a third is critically injured after a speeding tipper truck crashes into them while returning from voluntary classes during the teachers’ strike. Child Protection (Jirapa): ActionAid petitions police and courts to fast-track prosecution in an alleged sexual abuse case involving an eight-year-old boy.

Child Safety & Policing: Three children found dead in the boot of a parked Hyundai Tucson in Tamale have triggered a homicide investigation, with police arresting the vehicle owner (an officer of the Ghana Immigration Service) and ordering forensic checks and autopsies. Rabies Prevention: In Bongo, the Ghana Health Service reports five rabies deaths linked to dog bites since June 2025, including four children, and urges prompt post-bite action and responsible animal handling. School Feeding: The Gender Ministry says Ghana’s School Feeding Programme is expanding, with enrolment now at 4.5 million pupils and higher funding and per-child daily grants for better meals. Breast Health: Health experts warn women against unregulated breast enlargement products and herbal remedies, stressing early screening and timely care. Viral Hepatitis Control: Africa CDC is assessing Ghana’s progress on viral hepatitis elimination and identifying new support areas. Waste & Public Health Infrastructure: A push for engineered landfill sites and modern waste technologies is highlighted as Ghana tackles sanitation and landfill challenges. Health Financing & Data: Zambia’s revised US health deal drops specimen-sharing and limits data-sharing to monitoring and evaluation. Community Health Facilities: Ada West District Assembly hands over multiple education, health, sanitation and CHPS projects to improve access at district level. Digital Skills for Women: 150 women graduate from a digital and coding training programme under the African Girls Can Code Initiative. Breast Cancer Awareness (Pinktober): The Breast Society of Ghana reiterates that early detection boosts survival and calls for prompt screening. Security & Community Tension: Disturbances at Nchiraa’s Yam Festival leave two dead and 14 injured, with police intensifying patrols and arrests.

Specialist Care Boost: Ghana Health Service DG Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea joined neurosurgery teams at Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) alongside a consultant from Mali, strengthening skills transfer and access to specialised surgery. Compassion in Care: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh visited Weija-Gbawe Children’s Specialist Hospital, urging staff to keep dignity and human compassion central even as AI supports workloads; he also directed deployment of 10 doctors and 30 nurses/midwives. NHIS Delivery Focus: NHIA’s Volta office unveiled a 2026–2029 roadmap to improve service delivery, strengthen NHIS sustainability, accelerate digital transformation, and build accountability. Pink October in Ho: Ghana’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month launched with calls for early detection, timely treatment, and better support for patients and families. Breast Cancer Data Push: Breast Society of Ghana stressed that late reporting drives deaths, while early detection can yield survival above 90%. WASH and Water Access: World Vision targets 90% universal WASH access in parts of Ahafo, and KSrelief/MAA will build 20 solar boreholes across five regions. Medicine in the Streets: A Volta Region investigation highlighted illegal “medicine in the streets” sales, urging stronger enforcement by FDA and Pharmacy Council. Health Innovation Expo: GHS called for low-cost, locally maintainable medical devices and better bed management/referral coordination.

Health Financing & Sovereignty: President Mahama urged African governments and investors to treat healthcare as an investable economic sector, not a budget burden, unveiling the HINGE platform to streamline pharmaceutical regulation and speed up health manufacturing across the continent. Maternal Health & WASH: Ghana Health Service warned that WASH gaps are undermining quality maternal and newborn care, citing erratic water supply and hygiene risks in facilities. Breast Cancer Push: MTN’s Sunyani SunCity Fest delivered free screenings, while Lordina Mahama and the Gender Ministry renewed calls for early breast cancer checks and stigma-free support. Local Health Services: A new clinic with maternity and vaccination wards was commissioned for Ayigya Zongo, and Weija Children’s Hospital was reported operational with expanded capacity and more health workers deployed. Access to Care: Ghana Card registration for children aged 6–14 was extended to North East and Upper East, and GHS urged journalists to amplify community voices in healthcare delivery. Sports Health: Aduana’s Remember Adomako-Boateng regained consciousness after collapsing during a league match, highlighting the need for prompt medical response.

Maternal health & WASH: The Ghana Health Service warns that unreliable water, sanitation and hygiene services are undermining quality maternal and newborn care in the Upper East Region, with erratic facility water supply raising infection-prevention risks. Breast cancer push: Lordina Mahama and the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month with calls for early detection and screening, while Tema East MP urges men to support women to seek care for warning signs. Community screening: MTN Suncity Festival in Sunyani delivered free health checks for hundreds, including hypertension, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis B and breast cancer screening. Health workforce & facilities: The Health Ministry orders deployment of additional workers to Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital, and Ghana’s health investment platform H-Enabler is unveiled to help innovators navigate regulation and commercialisation. Sanitation action: STMA carries out waste evacuation for National Sanitation Day, and Wa West’s Dorimon chiefs lead a clean-up with threats of sanctions for non-compliance. Eye care tech: Opticians are urged to adopt emerging technologies and expand quality eye care beyond major cities. Telecom resilience: A call is made for Ghana to plan for alternative routes when fibre disruptions hit mobile and data services. Water access: A former deputy minister provides two boreholes for communities in DBI District to ease potable water shortages.

Health Workforce: Ghana’s Ministry of Health announces a nationwide mop-up recruitment for nurses and pharmacy professionals (teaching hospitals 266 nursing posts; CHAG 133; GHS 30; pharmacy 36) on Oct 5 via mohrrecruitment.com. Mental Health & Wellness: Bel-Aqua ramps up its mental wellbeing push ahead of its 15th anniversary with workplace psychologist/psychiatrist sessions and a community health walk plus screenings. Maternal & Child Safety: FDA, backed by Ghana’s Consumer Protection Agency, destroys 28 bales of second-hand “bale diapers” over hygiene and undeclared allergen risks. Health Policy & Sovereignty: President Mahama urges African leaders to treat health as an investable sector, calling for local manufacturing and regional value chains; Ghana also signals a shift toward producing health products. Breast Cancer Awareness: GFA Foundation launches its October breast cancer awareness campaign, linking awareness with screening and education through football events. Community Health: Adaklu District marks National Sanitation Day as a public health duty, linking cleanliness to reduced malaria and cholera risks. Public Health Reporting: ApexnewsGh editor Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen wins Best Health Reporter at the Upper East GJA awards for a leprosy documentary. Emergency Response: A stampede at the NPP delegates conference in Kumasi injures at least three people, with responders struggling to reach victims due to crowd congestion.

Health Workforce: The Ministry of Health announces a nationwide mop-up recruitment for nurses and pharmacy professionals after applicants failed to report to assigned facilities, with 266 nursing posts in teaching hospitals, 133 in CHAG facilities, 30 in GHS, plus 36 pharmacy roles (5 pharmacists, 31 pharmacist technicians). Cancer Awareness: Ghana’s breast cancer push continues with the GFA Foundation launching its third October campaign since 2023, linking awareness to action through education and planned screening activities. Health Investment & Sovereignty: President Mahama, speaking at the Alamein Africa Forum, urged Africa to treat healthcare as an investable economic sector, highlighting Ghana’s move to expand NHIS and free primary care and to boost local health product manufacturing; he also unveiled HINGE to streamline regulation, clinical validation and commercialisation for health innovators. Public Health & Safety: A stampede at the NPP delegates conference in Kumasi left at least three injured, with emergency responders challenged by crowd congestion. Community Health: Ho Teaching Hospital reports progress in cancer treatment, while Weija Children’s Hospital is now operational with a 120-bed capacity and additional health worker deployment. Water & Sanitation: Adaklu Kpodzi marks National Sanitation Day as a public health duty, and Gomoa Amoanda receives a mechanised borehole to improve access to safe drinking water.