Civil Society Calls for Urgent Action on Non-Communicable Diseases Ahead of Ghana’s 2024 Elections

As Ghana prepares for its 2024 elections, civil society organizations (CSOs) are rallying political parties to make Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) a central issue in their manifestos. The Ghana NCD Alliance, a key advocate for public health reform, has issued a manifesto urging policymakers to prioritize NCDs, which are responsible for 74% of global deaths and are a significant burden in Ghana.

Despite ongoing efforts, NCDs such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease account for over 94,000 deaths annually in Ghana – representing approximately 43% of all deaths. The CSO manifesto highlights that these diseases not only undermine the nation’s social and economic stability but also exacerbate inequalities and place a significant economic burden on households.

“The increasing prevalence of NCDs, coupled with out-of-pocket expenses for care, is putting an enormous strain on Ghana’s healthcare system and affecting work productivity,” said Labram M. Musah, National Coordinator of the Ghana NCD Alliance. “We are calling on all political parties to commit to actionable measures that will address this growing health crisis.”

The manifesto outlines several key recommendations for political parties:

1. Increase Budget Allocation: Strengthen health systems by boosting funding for NCD prevention, early diagnosis, and management.
2. Uncap NHIS Funds: Exempt the National Health Insurance Fund from statutory caps to alleviate the financial burden on Ghanaians and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Upgrade Healthcare Infrastructure: Improve facilities in rural and underserved areas to ensure equitable access to essential health services.
4. Regulate Health-Harming Products: Implement and enforce stricter regulations on tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy foods to reduce NCD prevalence.
5. Sustainable Financing: Increase taxes on unhealthy products and direct the revenue towards health financing and research.
6. Invest in Primary Healthcare: Enhance facilities such as Community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS) and district hospitals to improve access to care.
7. Promote Health Literacy: Increase investment in health education and promotion to encourage healthier lifestyles.
8. Regulate Advertising: Restrict the promotion of unhealthy products, particularly to youth.
9. Enhance Public Spaces: Reclaim and develop public parks to encourage physical activity.

By adopting these measures, the Ghana NCD Alliance believes that political parties can significantly improve the nation’s health outcomes and move closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage. They emphasize the importance of involving individuals living with NCDs in policy development to ensure that health policies are relevant and impactful.

“With these commitments, political parties will advance the health and well-being of all Ghanaians while upholding the principles of social justice and human rights,” Musah added.

As the election approaches, the call to action from the Ghana NCD Alliance serves as a crucial reminder of the need for comprehensive and practical solutions to one of the country’s most pressing health challenges.