GHANA’S steady progress toward meeting the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2030 targets for the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) is a public health success story that deserves recognition but not complacency.
Having already eliminated three NTDs and made remarkable strides against several others, the country stands ahead of the minimum benchmark set by the WHO. This achievement reflects years of deliberate planning, community engagement, and effective public health interventions led by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and its partners.
As revealed by Dr Joseph Kwadwo Larbi Opare, Programme Manager for NTDs at the GHS, last week Monday in an interview with The Ghanaian Times, Ghana has exceeded expectations by eliminating three NTDs when the WHO target is for endemic countries to eliminate at least one by 2030.
Diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, leprosy, and Buruli ulcer are now nearing elimination, with some expected to be cleared within the next few years. This progress places Ghana firmly among leading countries in the global fight against diseases that disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable.
However, success in public health is rarely final. Elimination does not mean total disappearance; it means reducing disease prevalence to a level where it no longer constitutes a public health threat. This distinction is critical.
The Ghanaian Times, therefore, calls for sustained surveillance, monitoring, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent resurgence. History has shown that hard-won health gains can be reversed when attention wanes or funding dries up.
This is where Ghana now faces its most serious challenge: financing. For decades, external donors have supported much of the country’s NTD interventions, particularly mass drug administration (MDA), which remains the backbone of control and elimination efforts. Recent funding cuts from international partners raise legitimate concerns about sustainability.
While donor support has been invaluable, Ghana can no longer afford to rely excessively on external goodwill to protect its population from preventable and treatable diseases. The call by Dr Opare for increased domestic financing must therefore be taken seriously.
Government must progressively integrate NTD funding into national and district health budgets, treating these diseases not as marginal concerns but as core development and equity issues.
For us, eliminating NTDs is not only a health imperative; it is an economic one. These diseases reduce productivity, perpetuate poverty, and strain already limited household resources.
We also call for public awareness and community participation. The theme for this year’s World NTDs Day, “Unite, Act and Eliminate,” captures the essence of what is required at this stage. Communities must remain vigilant, report symptoms early, and participate fully in treatment programmes. The stigma that often surrounds NTDs must be confronted head-on, as silence and fear only allow these diseases to persist in the shadows.
Ghana’s progress proves that NTD elimination is achievable with commitment, coordination, and consistency. The task now is to consolidate gains, close funding gaps, and resist complacency.
With strong political will, sustained investment, and active citizen engagement, Ghana can not only meet the WHO 2030 targets but also offer a compelling model for other endemic countries.
The finish line is in sight. What remains is the resolve to cross it.
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