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Not a single hospital under Agenda 111 is operational after spending $400M – President Mahama

By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that not a single hospital under the Agenda 111 is operational after the previous administration led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo spent a colossal amount of $400 million on the project.

The President made a revelation during his maiden State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

President Mahama indicated that despite the huge significant financial commitments, none of the hospitals have been completed and made operational.

“It is worth disclosing that USD400m has already been disbursed under agenda 111 project, yet not a single hospital under this gargantuan initiative is serving the people of Ghana,” President Mahama reiterated

According to him, the amount already spent on the Agenda 111 project could have facilitated the completion and operationalization of at least 22 of the proposed hospitals if resources had been utilized efficiently.

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KOFIH Inaugurates GHC 950,000 Maternity Unit at Alavanyo Wudidi Health Centre to Boost Maternal Healthcare

By Jones Anlimah

The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) has inaugurated a new maternity unit at the Alavanyo Wudidi Health Centre to significantly improve maternal and child healthcare in the region. The facility, constructed at a cost of GHC 950,000, is expected to enhance safe deliveries and address maternal and neonatal health challenges in Alavanyo Wudidi and adjoining communities in the Hohoe municipality of the Volta Region.

The intervention aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, particularly by reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

The Country Representative of KOFIH, Mr. Bomin Yong, emphasized the foundation’s dedication to strengthening healthcare systems in underserved communities.

“This health centre will not only provide essential medical services but also promote health education and other interventions to safeguard the lives of families in Alavanyo Wudidi,” Mr. Yong stated. “By investing in maternal health infrastructure, we are directly contributing to the global goal of reducing preventable maternal and child deaths.”

The Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Mr. Chrysantus Kubio, highlighted the importance of the facility in bridging the healthcare gap in the community.

“This unit symbolizes our unwavering commitment to strengthening our health delivery systems and ensuring the well-being of every mother and child in our community,” Mr. Kubio said. “Previously, expectant mothers had to travel long distances for skilled delivery services. With this facility in place, we are bringing essential maternal care closer to those who need it most.”

Until now, the Alavanyo Wudidi Health Centre operated without a dedicated maternity unit, forcing pregnant women to seek care in distant facilities, thereby increasing the risk of complications. The new unit, equipped with delivery beds, and other care equipment, coupled with skilled health personnel, is expected to significantly improve maternal health outcomes in the area.

The initiative forms part of KOFIH’s broader support for Ghana’s healthcare sector, particularly in rural communities, in line with the SDGs’ call for universal health coverage. Local authorities welcomed the development and called for continued investment in maternal and child health services.

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FDA bars Samos Pharma’s export partners over alleged Opioid smuggling

By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revoked the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification of Samos Pharma’s export partner, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, following a BBC Africa Eye investigation that exposed the company’s alleged role in the illegal distribution of opioid-based medications across West Africa.

In response to the BBC Africa Eye investigation, the FDA has directed Samos Pharma, a Ghanaian importer, to terminate all transactions with Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International.

Additionally, the registration process for six products from Masters Pharmaceutical Limited, which planned to use Aveo Pharmaceuticals as a contract manufacturer, has been suspended.

Reaffirming its commitment to combating opioid abuse, the FDA vowed to intensify enforcement actions, including seizures, fines, and prosecutions of illegal drug distributors.

However, the agency has assured the general public of its readiness to work closely with law enforcement to prevent the infiltration of dangerous pharmaceuticals into Ghana.

The BBC Africa Eye investigation revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, through Westfin International, exported unapproved drugs containing tapentadol and carisoprodol—powerful and highly addictive opioids—to Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire.

According to health experts, when abused, these substances pose severe health risks, including respiratory collapse and death.

Commenting on the BBC Africa Eye exposé in Parliament on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, raised concerns over the increasing infiltration of unregistered drugs into Ghana’s pharmaceutical market.

He warned that the influx of unapproved drugs, including tramadol brands and tapentadol—both classified as opioids—has led to widespread abuse, resulting in severe health complications and fatalities.

The Minister outlined government measures aimed at curbing this alarming trend.

“A joint task force involving the FDA, the Narcotics Control Commission, Customs, and the Ghana Revenue Authority has intensified checks at major entry points to prevent further unauthorized imports, leading to the destruction of a large consignment of Toradol and similar drugs.

Inspections have been intensified, and legal action is being taken against offenders. A national education campaign has been launched to warn the public about the dangers of illicit opioid use and to encourage responsible medication practices,” he announced.

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MoH takes immediate action to combat illicit opioid crisis following BBC Africa Eye exposé

Ghana’s Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with regulatory and security agencies has launched immediate measures to tackle the growing threat of illicit opioids following a recent investigative exposé by BBC Africa Eye.

The report revealed an alleged illegal exportation of unapproved opioids, including tapentadol, into Ghana and other West African countries.

Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who addressed Parliament today, 25th February 2025 said, the exposé, released about four days ago, uncovered the involvement of Indian pharmaceutical firm Aveo Pharmaceuticals in producing and exporting opioids such as tapentadol and supradol to Ghana. These drugs, which have not been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), have entered local markets, raising serious public health and national security concerns.

READ ALSO: PSGH condemns illicit opioid trade, calls for immediate action

In response, the minister highlighted that the Ministry of Health, working closely with the FDA, the Narcotics Control Commission, Customs, and the Ghana Revenue Authority, has implemented decisive actions to address the crisis. 

“The FDA has directed Samospharma to immediately seize using these companies as exporters of registered products to Ghana” he said. “Additionally, the FDA has suspended the processing of master’s pharmaceutical limited application which uses Aveo pharmaceutical as contract manufacturer” he highlighted.

These steps are part of a broader crackdown on the illegal importation of unapproved opioids.

To further combat the crisis, the minister revealed that a joint task force consisting of the FDA, Customs, the Narcotics Control Commission, and the Ghana Revenue Authority has intensified inspections at major entry points across the country. This initiative has led to the seizure and destruction of large consignments of unauthorized drugs, including tafradol and other opioids.

According to the minister, the Ministry of Health has also ramped up its efforts to prevent the sale of illicit opioids through increased monitoring of over-the-counter drug sales.

Unauthorized drugs have been seized from the market, and legal action has been taken against offenders.

A national public awareness campaign has been launched to educate the public on the dangers of opioid misuse and to encourage responsible medication practices.

Despite these efforts, the Health Minister acknowledged that more work needs to be done to permanently shut down the supply of illicit opioids.

He said challenges such as inadequate inspection capacity for transit goods, gaps in intelligence sharing between enforcement agencies, and the illegal movement of opioids across borders. The Ministry, he said, will collaborate with relevant agencies to strengthen enforcement and regulatory oversight.

The minister stressed the need for a coordinated, sustained response from all sectors of society. “We cannot afford to let Ghana become a hub for opioid abuse and trafficking,” he said, urging all stakeholders to help close the loopholes, tighten regulations, and hold those responsible accountable.

The Minister of Health, addressed Parliament on this urgent matter after a recent BBC Africa Eye investigative report exposing the illegal exportation of unapproved opioids into Ghana and other West African countries.

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PSGH condemns illicit opioid trade, calls for immediate action

By Seli Baisie

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has issued a strong condemnation of the illegal importation of potent opioids into Ghana and other West African nations, warning of their serious implications for public health and safety.

In an official statement, PSGH raised concerns over the growing influx of unauthorized pharmaceutical substances, particularly those containing tapentadol and carisoprodol, which present significant health risks.

“As the recognized body for pharmacists and pharmaceutical professionals in Ghana, PSGH firmly opposes the circulation of unregulated and harmful medications, especially opioids like tapentadol and carisoprodol, which endanger public well-being,” the statement emphasized.

The Society referenced a recent BBC investigative report, which exposed how Indian pharmaceutical firms, including Aveo Pharmaceuticals, were involved in the distribution of unapproved opioid formulations—such as Tafrodol, Timaking, and Super Royal-225—to Ghana.

PSGH highlighted that these substances, lacking global medical approval, have been associated with rising cases of addiction and severe health complications in the region.

“There is growing concern that Ghana has become a major transit point for these hazardous drugs, despite regulatory frameworks designed to prevent their entry and distribution,” the Society noted.

The organization called on regulatory authorities to ensure full transparency and accountability in addressing this issue, urging an in-depth and independent investigation into the matter. PSGH further appealed to key enforcement agencies—including the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Pharmacy Council, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)-Customs Division, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Narcotics Control Authority, and National Intelligence Bureau—to take decisive action.

“If any local pharmaceutical company is found to have violated regulatory protocols, necessary penalties must be enforced to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s pharmaceutical industry,” PSGH stressed.

The Society also advocated for tighter border controls, strengthened pharmacovigilance, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and widespread public awareness campaigns to curb the escalating opioid crisis.

“PSGH remains committed to ensuring that only safe, effective, and legally approved medications are accessible in Ghana. We call on all stakeholders—including the government, regulatory bodies, healthcare professionals, and the public—to unite in the fight against the illegal opioid trade,” the statement concluded.

With concerns mounting over the influx of unregulated opioids, industry stakeholders continue to push for urgent interventions to protect public health and prevent further harm.

Below is the statement;

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Korean Gov’t allocates $32m in aid to Ghana with focus on healthcare

By Jones Anlimah

The Korean government has allocated $32 million in aid to Ghana for this year, with one-third of the amount dedicated to healthcare. The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, made this announcement at the inauguration of a GHS 2.3 million health facility in Abutia Kpota, located in the Ho West District of the Volta Region.

“This year, my government’s total budget for all aid to Ghana is $32 million, and a third of this will go to the healthcare service,” he stated.

The investment aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. By directing a substantial portion of its aid to healthcare, Korea is contributing to Ghana’s efforts to enhance access to quality health services, reduce maternal and child mortality, and combat communicable diseases.

The newly inaugurated health facility is expected to improve healthcare delivery in the district by providing essential medical services to residents.

Ambassador Park Kyongsig also disclosed plans for further investment in Ghana’s health infrastructure. “We also have plans to expand the Ho Teaching Hospital in the near future,” he stated.

The Korean government, through the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), has been supporting Ghana’s health sector for the past decade. This latest investment further strengthens bilateral cooperation in healthcare development.

Local health officials and community leaders welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its potential to enhance healthcare access in rural areas.

As Ghana continues its journey toward a stronger healthcare system, strategic collaborations like this remain crucial in bridging gaps and ensuring equitable healthcare access for all citizens.

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NHIS should absorb cost of cervical cancer screening – Clinical Epidemiologist advocates

A Clinical Epidemiologist, Dr Grace Adjoa Ocansey, has suggested that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should be upgraded to absorb the cost of cervical cancer screening for women in Ghana.

The NHIS is a social intervention programme introduced in 2003 to provide equitable access and financial coverage for basic healthcare services to persons resident in the country, allowing a subscriber to access services or medicines/treatments that are covered under the Scheme’s benefits package at credentialed healthcare facilities for free.

Dr Ocansey made the call while delivering a presentation on findings, lessons learned, and recommendations from a one-year cervical cancer project dubbed, “Adopting and Piloting a Cervical Cancer Surveillance Programme in Ketu South Municipality,” at Ketu South Health Directorate’s 2024 programme of work review meeting.

The project was implemented by the Ketu South Municipal Health Directorate in collaboration with the Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (GFELTP), a competency-based programme at the University of Ghana.

Dr Ocansey who is also the Principal Investigator, GFELTP, emphasised the need for increased access to cervical cancer screening services to benefit particularly, low income women who would not be able to afford the cost of screening, indicating that during the course of the project, “women who had to screen at the health facility and
had to pay complained of the cost (GH¢50).

She said cervical cancer, also called cancer of the cervix, caused by Human Papilomavirus (HPV) “happens when the cells of the cervix begin to change to precancerous cells” noting that not all precancerous cells would turn into cancer thus, the need to nd these problematic cells early and treat them to prevent the disease and its
attendant problems, including death.

It was also recommended that the project should serve as a model for the National Cervical Prevention Programme; that the National Health Information Officer should develop a database for monthly reporting of screening data and that staff who would offer the services should have a refresher course once a year.

For the project, a total of 823 eligible women (25 to 64 years) were screened using Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA), pap smear and HPV DNA testing, with 450 women being selected.

Of the 450, almost half of the women (204) were HPV positive, 49 VIA positive and 16 with precancerous lesions. As part of the project, all screened positives were linked to care for free.

Dr Ocansey, in an earlier interview with Ghana News Agency said, “The overall goal of this project is to pilot a cervical screening programme in Ketu South Municipality to early detect, respond and appropriately manage cervical pre-cancerous and cancerous cases to improve their prognosis and survival, and to provide evidence to support the call for establishment of an effective national population-based cervical screening and surveillance programme in Ghana.”

She explained that with the rising teenage pregnancy cases, high HIV positivity and as a border municipality, at risk of high-risk sexual behaviours, Ketu South Municipality was considered the best choice for the pilot project.

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SOURCE: GNA

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KOFIH inaugurates GH¢ 2.3 million health facility in Abutia Kpota to advance SDG 3

By Jones Anlimah

The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) has commissioned a GHS 2.3 million health facility in Abutia Kpota, Ho West District, to improve healthcare access and strengthen Ghana’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

The facility, jointly inaugurated by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Volta Regional Minister James Gunu, and other dignitaries, aligns with Ghana’s commitment to achieving SDG 3.

It is expected to improve maternal and child healthcare while reducing health disparities in the region.

The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, emphasized the significance of the facility in addressing healthcare challenges in the region.

He stated, “This facility is more than just a building; it is a beacon of hope for mothers who need safe maternal care, for children who require timely medical attention, and for families seeking quality healthcare without the burden of traveling long distances. It will serve as a lifeline for many and contribute significantly to achieving the universal health coverage agenda of our dear region.”

The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, reaffirmed Korea’s dedication to Ghana’s healthcare development and highlighted the importance of sustainable healthcare partnerships between the two countries. “Korea remains committed to supporting Ghana in its journey towards universal health coverage. This facility marks another milestone in the strong partnership between Ghana and Korea in the field of healthcare,” he noted.

Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, underscored the government’s commitment to universal health coverage and efficient healthcare delivery. He stated, “In line with our goal of ensuring a healthy population, the health sector has prioritized interventions, investments, and collaborations to improve access to quality essential healthcare for all.”

He further urged authorities to ensure the judicious use of the facility to maximize its impact on the community.

The facility is expected to serve about 17 communities, providing maternal and child healthcare, emergency services, and primary healthcare consultations, thereby bridging critical gaps in medical access for residents of Abutia Kpota and its neighboring areas.

This intervention aligns with SDG 3 by improving healthcare infrastructure, reducing maternal and infant mortality, and ensuring equitable healthcare access, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening community healthcare systems in collaboration with international partners like KOFIH.

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Gov’t will not dismiss nurses recruited after December 7 — Minister assures

The Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reassured Ghanaians that the Government will not dismiss any nurse or midwife recruited after December 7, 2024. 

He said the Ministry, the Ghana Health Service and Catholic Health Association of Ghana had not terminated the employment of any health worker.  

“We are committed to building and sustaining the health workforce,” he said. 

Mr Akandoh gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of the maiden African Nurses and Midwives Confederation conference, organised by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association in Accra. 

He pledged to support them with all their logistical needs to facilitate their work and improve on healthcare delivery. 

Mrs Perpetual Ofori Ampofo, the President of GRNMA, said the Association had taken the minister’s word for it, hoping that no dismissal of its members would happen. 

“We are taking his word for it, and we hope that nothing of such nature will happen,” she said.  

“We have also given him the assurance that as a professional association in the trade union, we will continue to partner with the Ministry of Health to ensure that the health priorities of the Ministry are achieved.” 

The five-day conference, which ends on February 24, 2025, saw 17 African countries participating. 

It is on the theme: “Nurses and Midwives, Fostering Health for all in Africa”. 

Mrs Ampofo said nurses and midwives contributed significantly to the economic development of countries and, as such, nations must continue to invest in them to create the desired impact. 

“Whether it’s in education, clinical practice, research, rehabilitation, preventive healthcare, whatever it is, we are ensuring that the population is healthy. And for that purpose, it should reflect on how we are also remunerated in terms of the output of our work,” she added. 

“This is what we need to look at, and the assurance we can give Ghana as a nation is that we, as nurses and midwives, are positioned to give our very best.” 

Mrs Ampofo said the logistical needs, motivation in terms of career progression, and study leave, among others, also positioned them to be able to upgrade their knowledge and skills to support Ghana’s health agenda. 

She encouraged nurses and midwives to believe in the strong leadership they had, willing to fight their cause always and asked for the needed support so that, together, they could achieve the desired outcomes.  

The African Nurses and Midwives Confederation seeks to ensure that African countries come together as a regional body to work, network, and influence health. 

Source: GNA

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