'42-45% of deaths in Ghana caused by NCDs' – Mintah Akandoh

Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has raised alarm over a growing public health crisis in Ghana, revealing that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for nearly half of all deaths in the country.

Speaking on PM Express on Monday, April 13, 2026, he stressed the urgent need for a strategic shift toward early detection and prevention to tackle the rising burden of these so-called “silent killers.”

“NCDs are rising at an alarming rate in this country. About 42 to 45 percent of our mortalities are attributable to non-communicable diseases,” he stated.

He noted that Ghana’s healthcare system is currently facing a dual burden; ongoing battles with infectious diseases alongside a surge in chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

To address the challenge, the government is prioritising free primary healthcare as a key intervention to improve access and promote early diagnosis.

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Akandoh explained that basic identification documents, including the Ghana Card, passport, driver’s licence, or NHIS card, will enable citizens to access these services.

Beyond affordability, he emphasised that bringing healthcare directly into communities will be transformative.

“Apart from the fact that it is going to be free at the point of care, what will be the real game changer is that we are going to move into the homes of Ghanaians to conduct simple screenings,” he said.

According to him, early detection remains critical in preventing complications associated with NCDs.

“We must begin to trace the source. We must be able to detect these conditions early to prevent them from progressing to complications,” he added.

The initiative forms part of a broader reform agenda, including the introduction of the Mahama Cares programme, aimed at strengthening prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.

“With Mahama Cares, these reforms must be comprehensive and complete. Free primary healthcare will help us detect diseases early and prevent them where possible,” he noted.

He added that while prevention and early detection are the primary goals, government interventions are also in place to manage advanced cases.

“If, unfortunately, we are unable to prevent or detect them early and they progress to a complicated stage, Mahama Cares will be there to support treatment and save lives,” he said.

MRA/VPO

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