Silent killers surge with NCDs now behind nearly half of deaths in Ghana – Health Minister

Ghana is facing a growing public health crisis, with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now accounting for nearly half of all deaths, according to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. The alarming trend signals a major shift in the country’s disease burden and places increasing pressure on the healthcare system.

Speaking on PM Express on Joy News Monday, the Minister warned that the country must urgently shift focus to early detection and prevention to curb the rising toll of these “silent killers,” which often go undiagnosed until they reach advanced and life-threatening stages.

“The NCDs are rising at an alarming rate in this country. About 42 to 45% of our mortalities are attributable to non-communicable diseases,” he said. These include chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, which are increasingly affecting both urban and rural populations.

The Minister’s comments come at a time when Ghana’s health system is grappling with a dual burden—continuing challenges from infectious diseases alongside a sharp increase in chronic, lifestyle-related conditions. This double strain is stretching already limited healthcare resources and highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms.

To address the situation, the government is rolling out a renewed focus on free primary healthcare aimed at improving access, reducing financial barriers, and encouraging early diagnosis across all communities.

“You can do the driver’s license, Ghana card, passport, and national health insurance card. Any of these that will identify you as a Ghanaian will give you access to the primary health care,” he explained, emphasizing inclusivity and ease of access under the new policy framework.

He stressed that beyond cost, the real transformation will come from taking healthcare directly to communities, especially underserved and remote areas where access to health facilities remains limited.

“So apart from the fact that it is going to be free at that point, what for me is going to be the game changer is the fact that we are going to move into the homes of Ghanaians to do simple screening,” he said. This approach is expected to significantly improve early detection rates and reduce the number of advanced cases presenting at hospitals.

According to him, the key to reversing the trend lies in identifying diseases early before they progress into severe complications that are more expensive and difficult to treat.

“But we must begin to trace the source. We must begin to be able to detect these conditions on time to prevent them from getting to the complications,” he noted, highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare and public awareness.

The strategy forms part of a broader health reform agenda aimed at strengthening prevention, early detection, and treatment across the country’s healthcare system. Central to this agenda is a combination of community outreach, improved primary care infrastructure, and expanded screening programs.

“Now we have Mahama Cares, so these reforms must be comprehensive. It must be complete. So we go back to free primary health care. They will help us to detect the disease on time, to prevent it if possible,” he added, referencing the government’s complementary intervention initiative.

He acknowledged that not all cases can be prevented or detected early, but assured that the government has plans in place to manage advanced and complicated conditions through targeted interventions.

“But if, unfortunately, we are unable to prevent them or to detect them on time, and it gets to a complicated stage, there’s another policy called Mahama Cares to be able to save you,” he said.

Health experts believe that the success of these interventions will depend heavily on public participation, sustained funding, and the strengthening of frontline healthcare systems. The shift toward prevention marks a significant policy direction that could redefine healthcare delivery in Ghana if effectively implemented.