By Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Accra l Thursday, January 30, 2026
The Ghana Public Health Association (GPHA) has called for renewed national commitment, increased investment and stronger community action to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Ghana by 2030.
Marking this year’s World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, the Association said NTDs continue to affect many Ghanaians, particularly people in underserved and hard-to-reach communities, contributing to poverty, disability, stigma and reduced productivity.
Although many NTDs are preventable and treatable, the GPHA noted that they remain a major public health and development challenge. It, however, pointed out that proven and low-cost interventions, such as preventive chemotherapy, yield significant returns, with estimates showing about 25 dollars in economic benefits for every dollar invested.
The Association commended the Government of Ghana and its partners for major gains recorded over the years, including the elimination of guinea worm disease, trachoma and human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) between 2015 and 2023. It said the elimination of these diseases has delivered not only health benefits but also economic and social gains.
Despite the progress, the GPHA expressed concern that much more needs to be done to meet global targets. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, Ghana achieved only an 18 per cent reduction in the number of people requiring NTD interventions between 2010 and 2023, and a 24 per cent reduction in NTD-related disability-adjusted life years between 2015 and 2021, far below the 2030 global targets of 90 per cent and 75 per cent respectively.
President of the GPHA, Dr. Eugene Nyarko, described the elimination of NTDs as not only a health priority but also a social justice imperative. He stressed the need for increased financing, integrated service delivery and sustained community engagement.
“Our communities, including those in hard-to-reach areas, have a right to adequate water and sanitation, as well as accurate information to dispel myths, misconceptions and stigma associated with NTDs,” he said.
In line with the theme of the 2026 World NTD Day, “Unite, Act, Eliminate,” the GPHA urged government to increase domestic financing for NTD programmes and strengthen their integration into primary healthcare and Universal Health Coverage. It also called on development partners and the private sector to sustain support for surveillance, research and community-based interventions.
The Association further appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to prioritise water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as a key pillar of NTD prevention, while encouraging communities to collaborate with health authorities, reduce stigma and adopt positive health-seeking behaviours. The media was also urged to help disseminate accurate and timely information on NTDs.
The GPHA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts through advocacy, professional capacity building, policy dialogue and community engagement to ensure that no population is left behind in Ghana’s drive to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases.
