The Government of Ghana has committed to boosting funding for tuberculosis (TB) control initiatives as part of its ongoing efforts to combat the disease.
The announcement was made by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh during the commemoration of World TB Day 2025 which was under the theme “Yes, we can end TB. Commit, invest, deliver.”
“The government recognizes the urgent need for decisive action to end TB, which remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases,”
Statistics indicate that Ghana recorded 20,000 TB cases in 2024, marking an improvement in case detection, yet still falling short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of 44,000 cases annually.
“As a government, we are determined to increase funding for TB control activities, which will include essential logistics and medical supplies, improving access to diagnostic tools like GeneXpert machines and digital X-rays, and strengthening healthcare systems to ensure no TB patient goes undiagnosed or untreated. This administration, under His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, will continue to prioritize these actions.”
The minister identified stigma, limited access to diagnostic tools, and insufficient funding as major challenges in the fight against TB.
He stressed that ending TB requires a collective effort from all segments of society, including government, healthcare providers, civil society, the private sector, and the general public.
The minister also emphasized the importance of investing in healthcare workforce development, researching new treatment options, and fostering partnerships with civil society and private entities.
“We must work together to raise awareness, support those affected, and advocate for the resources needed to eliminate TB. Together, we can make a difference and achieve our goal of ending TB by 2030,” he said.
On his part, the country Representative of World Health Organization(WHO) Dr. Frank Lule called for an urgent investment of resources to protect and maintain TB care support services for people in need across the country.
He urged the government to sustain the gains made over the past years in the fight against the disease by allocating more funding to combat TB in all regions of the country.
Source: Emmanuel Coffie
