Death Stalks the Nation II: Confronting the rising death rate in Ghana

A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she could not be comforted because they are no more. – Jeremiah 31:15

This is an update to a piece I originally wrote and submitted to GhanaWeb in 2017. Eight years later, the views expressed then are still relevant. If anything, things may have gotten worse. My point then and now is that Ghana is not officially at war, yet the alarming rate of death and premature mortality demands national attention.

Too many of our people are dying too soon. The Ministry of Health and the government must convene a national forum to investigate this crisis and develop a plan to address preventable causes of death in the country.

Weekends are now periods of mourning—occasions for multiple burials simultaneously in villages with populations of 1,000 or fewer. Traveling around the country on weekends, one sees nothing but funerals in almost every town or village. This pattern is reportedly widespread across the country. Such mortality rates cannot be natural—they signal a crisis that requires urgent study and action.

I am not a physician, nor do I have expertise in epidemiology. However, common sense suggests we must investigate this issue and act. While some causes of death are beyond our control, many are preventable. Below are some key factors contributing to this crisis.

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol consumption in Ghana is widespread, yet there are no official statistics on per capita intake. Many people drink daily, often believing alcohol improves their appetite. This habit can lead to addiction.

Beyond the quantity, the type of alcohol consumed is also concerning. Locally brewed gin (akpeteshie) is highly potent, with reports of unsafe additives used to speed fermentation.

The rise of sachet-packaged “bitters” has made alcohol more accessible despite potential health risks such as high blood pressure. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to liver disease and likely contributes to countless preventable deaths. Public education and tighter regulations are necessary.

Similarly, energy drinks, increasingly popular in Ghana, contain high levels of caffeine, which can elevate blood pressure and strain the heart. Consumers must be aware of the risks and practice moderation.

Road Accidents

Ghana has one of the highest rates of road fatalities globally. Nearly everyone knows someone who has died in a car accident. The causes are clear: poorly maintained vehicles, overloaded trucks, reckless driving, and weak law enforcement.

Road rules exist for safety, yet they are frequently ignored. Many drivers run red lights, overtake dangerously, and speed without regard for others. Police should shift from setting up frivolous roadblocks to strictly enforcing traffic laws to reduce accidents and save lives.

Chronic Diseases: Diabetes and Hypertension

Chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension have reached epidemic levels in Ghana, yet many people remain unaware of their condition.

Modern dietary changes play a role. Processed foods, sugary drinks, and fast food replace the traditional Ghanaian diet. High sugar intake, especially from sodas and flavored drinks, contributes to obesity and diabetes. Many parents unknowingly expose their children to excessive sugar, increasing their long-term health risks.

Fake Medications and Quack Doctors

The market is flooded with fake drugs and unverified herbal remedies. Advertisements promising cures for all ailments are rampant. People, including foreigners, sell dubious treatments and use questionable diagnostic machines to exploit vulnerable patients. The Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Authority must stop these harmful practices.

Additionally, medication misuse is common. Overuse of painkillers, for example, can lead to liver damage. Public awareness campaigns should educate people on the dangers of self-medication and the importance of consulting qualified healthcare professionals.

Medical Negligence and Lack of Care

The quality of healthcare in Ghana is often inadequate. My 18-year-old nephew died in 2017 under circumstances that would have resulted in a negligence lawsuit in many countries. I sympathize, of course, with the fact that our gallant health workers are ill-equipped and poorly paid. However, overworked healthcare professionals should not use their workload as an excuse for substandard care.

Hospitals should be required to publish annual mortality rates. While not all deaths can be prevented, such data would highlight patterns and areas for improvement.

Prayer Camps vs. Medical Treatment

Religion plays a significant role in Ghanaian society, but relying on prayer alone for medical conditions is dangerous. Many seriously ill individuals are taken to prayer camps instead of hospitals, delaying proper treatment. While faith is valuable, medical intervention is often necessary. People should be encouraged to seek healthcare alongside their spiritual practices.

A Call to Action

These issues can be addressed through education, regulation, and proactive healthcare policies. This is not just a government problem but a national crisis requiring collective effort. We must start conversations in our homes, schools, churches, media, and parliament.

Ghana needs robust, real-time mortality data. Current statistics (e.g., from the Ghana Statistical Service or WHO) are often outdated or incomplete. A national study could quantify causes of death by region, age, and gender.

Campaigns on alcohol moderation, road safety, and preventative care (e.g., annual checkups) could shift behaviors. Radio and TV are powerful tools for education.

Stricter oversight of alcohol consumption, roadworthiness checks, and drug authenticity could mitigate some preventable deaths.

Expanding NHIS to prioritize preventative care and chronic disease management is more cost-effective in the long run than treating seriously ill patients.

Preventative healthcare is key. Many Ghanaians visit a doctor only when they are seriously ill. Regular checkups can help detect and manage chronic conditions early.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should promote preventative care and ensure consistent access to essential medications for conditions like hypertension.

The Ministry of Health should facilitate mentorship programs connecting experienced Ghanaian doctors abroad with those practicing locally. Remote learning and telemedicine can enhance medical knowledge sharing and improve patient care.

The newly appointed Minister of Health must wake up. He could leave a legacy if he tackles some of these critical issues.

This fight should transcend politics. To paraphrase John Donne: No man is an island… Every death diminishes us because we are all part of humanity.

We must act now. For each preventable death, one less family will be mourning, and we will preserve the nation's greatest asset: our people. Let us work together to save lives.