“Tuberculosis remains a major public health concern affecting many Ghanaians” – Deputy Health Minister

The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to ending tuberculosis (TB) through sustained investments, stronger partnerships and expanded access to healthcare services, as the nation marked World TB Day 2026 under the global theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by Countries, Powered by People.”

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Health, Deputy Minister Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah described tuberculosis as “a major public health concern that continues to affect many Ghanaians,” stressing that gaps in case detection remain a significant challenge in the national response.

She underscored the urgent need to identify undiagnosed cases and ensure prompt treatment to curb transmission, noting that government has stepped up efforts to strengthen diagnostic capacity across the country.

According to her, the procurement of 15 GeneXpert machines and 10 AI-enabled digital X-ray systems, alongside other accessories valued at nearly GHS 30 million, forms part of measures to enhance early detection and treatment.

Dr. Ayensu Danquah further highlighted the Free Primary Healthcare Programme as a game-changer that will expand access to TB services at the community level, improve early diagnosis and ultimately boost treatment outcomes.

She also emphasized the critical role of community engagement and praised partnerships such as the Netherlands Government–Oreo collaboration, which has supported the installation of 50 TB screening machines nationwide.

In his welcome address, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, reiterated that tuberculosis is both preventable and curable, calling for sustained collective action to eliminate the disease.

He commended health workers and development partners for their dedication, which has contributed to increased TB case detection in recent years.

Drawing inspiration from global icons such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, Dr. Akoriyea stressed the importance of early diagnosis and strict adherence to treatment, expressing optimism that ongoing health sector reforms will accelerate progress toward a TB-free Ghana.

Chairing the event, Vice Chair of the Stop TB Partnership UNOPS in Geneva, Barrister Chief Austin Arinze Obiefuna, described tuberculosis as one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases but acknowledged Ghana’s steady progress over the past two decades.

He commended the government and its partners for their strong commitment, while calling for intensified domestic resource mobilisation, stronger political leadership, deeper community involvement and increased investment in innovation to fast-track elimination efforts.

Providing a technical overview, Programme Manager of the National TB Control Programme, Dr. Bernard Ziem, noted that although treatment success rates remain high, case detection continues to fall below expected targets.

He cautioned that while ending TB is achievable, progress remains slow and requires more aggressive strategies, particularly in active case finding and expanding diagnostic services.

Development partners, including the World Health Organization, The Aurum Institute, Stop TB Partnership and TB Voice Network, reaffirmed their continued support, highlighting Ghana’s progress, including a 21 percent reduction in TB incidence, while urging sustained investment and coordinated action to further reduce the burden of the disease.

As part of the commemoration, the Deputy Minister officially handed over the newly procured diagnostic equipment to the National TB Control Programme, marking a significant step in Ghana’s renewed push to eliminate tuberculosis.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar