The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with dental health practitioners across the country, has announced a groundbreaking initiative to integrate digital technology into dental healthcare delivery in Ghana.
The announcement was made during the Ghana International Dental Scientific Conference held on Wednesday, May 28, under the theme “Current Trends in Dental Science.”
The initiative aims to enhance the quality of dental care by incorporating cutting-edge tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D imaging, and other advanced digital technologies.
These innovations are expected to significantly improve diagnosis, treatment, and access to oral health services across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health at the conference, Dr. Ernest Konadu Asiedu emphasised the transformative potential of digital dentistry.
“The rise of digital technology including digital impressions, 3D printing, and tele-dentistry is enhancing precision and expanding access to care,” he stated.
Dr. Asiedu further revealed that the digital dental initiative will not be limited to urban centers.
Plans are underway to extend the program to schools and rural communities, ensuring that quality oral healthcare becomes accessible to all Ghanaians regardless of location.
This move marks a significant step forward in modernizing Ghana’s healthcare system and is expected to position the country as a leader in digital dental innovation in the region.
Concerns have been raised by the Ministry of Health over the increasing number of unemployed health workers, with part of the blame being placed on the unregulated expansion of private health training institutions.
The concern was raised following a call by the Parliamentary Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources for the Ministry of Finance to release funds to enable the immediate posting of over 2,000 Environmental Health Officer graduates who have remained unposted since 2021. Their deployment is seen as crucial in addressing the country’s deteriorating sanitation situation.
It has also been observed that numerous trained health professionals, spanning various specialisations, have similarly remained unposted since 2021.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, 29th May 2025, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Mr Tony Goodman, noted that large numbers of students are continually being admitted by private institutions without alignment to the actual staffing needs of the health sector.
It was emphasised that health professionals are trained by the Ministry based on identified regional and national requirements, a demand-driven model that is reportedly not adhered to by many private institutions.
As a result, the current backlog of nearly 100,000 unemployed health workers has been attributed, in part, to this misalignment, with some individuals said to have remained without employment for as long as five years.
According to Mr Goodman, “It would be suicidal if everyone were to be recruited within a single year. Close to 100,000 individuals are at home, having not been employed for up to five years. It is, therefore, not feasible to recruit all of them within one year.”
He explained that numerous private training institutions, driven by the need to sustain operations and ensure profitability, have admitted large cohorts of students, graduated them, and then expected the Ministry of Health to absorb them.
Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, says that menstruation is neither a curse nor a taboo that should prevent girls from accessing education.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman, in commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, she emphasised the urgent need for access to free sanitary products, increased awareness, and empowerment for girls, describing it as “a compelling call for all of us.”
She reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to dismantling the social and economic barriers that menstruating girls face.
“That’s why, in a bold and necessary step, the government has launched the Free Sanitary Pads Programme, to help girls manage their periods with dignity,” she said.
In commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, a powerful new documentary titled “Barred by Blood: The Cultural Chains Holding Back Girls in Kyekyewere” was screened at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Cantonments, Accra on May 27, 2025.
The event, organised through a collaboration between the Government of Ghana, the British High Commission Accra, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), brought together stakeholders in health, education, gender advocacy, and the diplomatic community to confront the challenges facing girls due to deep-rooted menstrual taboos.
The documentary spotlights the deeply rooted cultural practices in Kyekyewere that isolate and marginalise young girls during menstruation, practices that affect their education, self-esteem, health, and reduce stigma across Ghana.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in an interaction with journalists, commended President John Dramani Mahama for the launch of the ‘Free Sanitary Pad Initiative.’
She described the initiative as a timely and impactful measure to guarantee access to sanitary pads for all girls.
According to her, this intervention is crucial in curbing the disturbing practice of “sex for pads” and safeguarding the rights and dignity of young girls.
The Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira East, Emelia Ankomah Esq. also addressing the media, emphasised the urgent need to break the silence around menstruation and ensure that no girl is held back by natural biological processes.
She expressed her concern over the incident involving the girls and stated that she would engage relevant members of the community to determine the best course of action.
Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed globally on May 28, seeks to raise awareness and advocate for the dignity and rights of girls and women.
This year’s event in Ghana highlights the role of storytelling and community engagement in transforming harmful cultural norms.
Health authorities in the Ashanti Region are ramping up surveillance on Mpox, though the region has yet to record any case.
The Ghana Health Service says the region is on high alert as part of broader national efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, revealed that ten suspected cases have been tested in the region so far, all returning negative.
“Currently, we have recorded some cases of MPOX in the country. As I speak, in the Ashanti region we have suspected 10 of them but all of them are negative,” he disclosed.
Dr. Adomako Boateng emphasized that the disease, which spreads through close physical contact, requires clinicians to conduct thorough examinations, including of private and less-visible areas, to detect early signs of the infection.
“Because Mpox is transmitted through physical close contact, we entreat our clinicians and other people that when you’re examining people, make sure that you examine the private areas and the inner areas, because they can also have the rashes there and they are absent in the other places,” he urged.
He also noted that people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness and encouraged the public to manage any existing medical issues effectively.
“People who have other challenges are likely to have it and when they have it, they tend to develop severe forms of the disease. So make sure when you have any other problem, you are on your medications,” he added.
While there is currently no vaccine in use in Ghana, Dr. Adomako Boateng assured that measures have been taken to manage suspected cases across health facilities.
“For all the hospitals and facilities, we have sent an alert note… Every facility is also to ensure that they have what we call an isolation area, so that when someone is presented with this and you think it’s likely to be Mpox, you make sure at least that person is taken from the general OPD area and taken there,” he said.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and are urging the public to report symptoms and avoid close contact with anyone suspected of being infected.
The United Nations Population Fund and local health authorities have launched an initiative offering free obstetric fistula surgeries at five major hospitals in Ghana.
Over 200,000 Ghanaian women suffer obstetric fistula, which causes uncontrollable leakage of urine or faeces, resulting from a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum. The initiative, led by the Partnership to End Fistula in Ghana (PEFIC) will repair such cases and provide comprehensive assistance and reintegration support to help survivors reclaim their lives.
Over 800,000 births occur in Ghana every year.
However, the process is not always smooth as obstetric fistula hunts a lot of women who undergo childbirth.
Victims across the country recount physical traumas, and social isolation as the prolonged and obstructed labor leave aspiring mothers in an incontinent condition, with many even losing their babies.
“I didn’t experience any complications after giving birth. But after a month, I started excreting and urinating uncontrollably. Because of this, I’ve not gone out for the year. I would rather prevent the shame and stay back,” 29-year-old Sumaya Abdul Rahim shares.
“I can’t even go to church and I feel I need to be isolated from people. I use pampers and I feared that I might stain myself unprovoked anywhere, so I would rather not go out to even work,” 33-year-old mother of five and trader,” Vida Opoku said.
In a transformative effort to bring normalcy again to such Ghanaian women suffering from incontinence, the United Nations Population Fund and partnering health authorities, have dedicated the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi), Ho Teaching Hospital (Volta Region), Tamale West Hospital (Northern Region), Mercy Women Catholic Hospital (Central Region), and Upper West Regional Hospital for free fistula repairs and surgeries.
The intervention forms part of renewed efforts of UNFPA and other partners to eliminate Obstetric Fistula in Ghana by 2030.
Programme Specialist, Reproductive Health at UNFPA, Dela Bright Gle, explains that the intervention aims to bridge the backlogs of untreated cases and create more awareness about the life threatening condition.
She highlighted the need to confront the stigma and isolation that fistula survivors endure.
“There is an urgent need to bring public awareness on obstetrics fistula issues, prevention, reintegration, repairs, and the need for partnerships to eliminate fistula in developing countries. UNFPA’s partnership to end fistula in Ghana has grown to 19 organizations with support of resources, infrastructure, and sharing of their personnel. Women should not suffer because of this and its misconceptions; a very treatable situation and can fully be eradicated. We need society to understand,” she said.
During the commemorative event at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi on the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, 50 women were screened.
The free repair surgeries are estimated to cost each patient about $700, covering transportation, surgery, and two weeks of recovery care.
Obstetric Fistula Surgeon at KATH, Dr Baffour Opoku, recounting instances of the burden of condition, indicated that the Obstetric Fistula is treatable with quality obstetric professionals and care.
“There’s still more to be done, although now there’s a lot of antenatal hospital visits so not many new fistulas are being formed like before. Despite its complexities, it is very treatable. We only need extremely experienced surgeons. The first repair is always the best repair. For patients here this day, we are hoping to operate on all of them by the end of the period,” he said.
The excited victims who have been set on the path of recovery from the burdens of Obstetric Fistula expressed their appreciation for the timely intervention.
“God thank UNFPA for this intervention. It will bring me back to my old life and I will feel okay to go in public again and get back to my work,” Sumaya Abdul said.
“Ever since I visited the hospital, I’ve been feeling a lot better, and I believe that after a successful surgery, I will be my normal self again. I am grateful for this intervention. I will be able to come back to my normal life, and get back to work,” Vida Opoku said
To mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day, Amansie Rural Bank PLC has donated menstrual hygiene products valued at GH¢22,000 to selected basic schools across the three Amansie districts in the Ashanti Region.
The donation forms part of the bank’s commitment to promoting menstrual health and supporting adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas, to stay in school and manage their periods with dignity.
This year’s donation benefited schools in the Amansie South, Amansie Central, and Amansie West districts, providing much-needed sanitary products to young girls who often lack access to proper menstrual hygiene resources.
In 2024, the bank partnered with Luv FM, a subsidiary of the Multimedia Group in Kumasi, to deliver a similar intervention in the Amansie South district.
That initiative saw the distribution of 1,130 Eco-Me reusable pads, 600 period panties, 10 boxes of disposable sanitary pads, 100 bathing pails, and a box of soap. A pad bank was also established to provide ongoing support for underprivileged teenage girls in the district.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Frank Owusu, Head of Finance at Amansie Rural Bank PLC, said the gesture is the bank’s way of giving back to the communities they serve.
“We believe no girl should miss school because of her period. This is our small way of helping break the silence, stigma, and barriers around menstrual health,” he stated.
Mr. Owusu also emphasized the role of financial institutions and private sector players in championing girl-child development and health initiatives, especially in deprived communities.
Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated globally on May 28, is aimed at breaking taboos and raising awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. The theme for this year’s observance is “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.”
Four major nursing and midwifery unions in Ghana have disassociated themselves from the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association’s (GRNMA) planned industrial action set to begin on June 2, 2025.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, May 28, the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives Ghana (UPNMG), the Professional Association of Psychiatric Nurses Ghana (PAPNG), the National Association of Registered Midwives Ghana (NARM-GH), and the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA) expressed concern over GRNMA’s unilateral decision to declare a strike.
The unions said the decision contradicts a unanimous resolution reached at a joint meeting held just a day earlier, on May 27, where all parties agreed to hold off on any industrial action pending further consultation with their members and a scheduled meeting with the Minister of Finance regarding the implementation of the Collective Agreement (CA) on their Conditions of Service (COS).
“We are, therefore, deeply concerned by the unilateral decision of GRNMA to proceed with an intended industrial action… in direct contradiction to the collective resolution,” the statement read.
The four unions reaffirmed their commitment to the Collective Agreement negotiations but stressed that progress must be made through structured dialogue and coordinated action, rather than individual moves that could weaken the collective bargaining power of healthcare professionals.
“Unilateral actions risk weakening our collective stance and may undermine the welfare of the very professionals we seek to represent,” the unions cautioned.
They clarified that they are not part of the declared strike and urged all their members to remain at post and continue delivering essential health services while talks with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, continue.
The unions also called on GRNMA to reconsider its decision and honour the agreement reached during their joint deliberations.
“This is a critical moment for responsible leadership, unity of purpose, and strategic solidarity in Ghana’s nursing and midwifery landscape,” they concluded.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed 10 new cases of Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, bringing the country’s total case count to 19.
According to health officials, five of the confirmed cases are currently on admission and are receiving treatment. No fatalities have been recorded so far in the latest outbreak.
The GHS has assured the public that it is actively monitoring the situation and has intensified surveillance measures across the country, particularly in affected areas.
Mpox, a viral zoonotic disease related to smallpox, typically presents with symptoms such as fever, intense headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches, and skin rashes. It is transmitted from person to person through close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding.
In countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria, Mpox remains endemic, with intermittent surges in cases, often exacerbated by gaps in healthcare infrastructure, inadequate public health education, and challenges in rural surveillance.
The DRC, in particular, continues to report the highest number of cases globally, underscoring the need for a coordinated regional strategy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently called for increased investment in Mpox diagnostics, vaccine research, and public education campaigns across Africa, warning that the virus could spread further if not contained effectively.
WHO also advocates for de-stigmatising public discourse around Mpox to ensure that affected individuals are not marginalised or deterred from seeking care.
The Young Christian Workers Movement (YCWM) of Christ the King Catholic Church has reaffirmed its commitment to saving lives by organising its annual blood donation exercise in partnership with health institutions, drawing dozens of voluntary donors to support the country’s urgent need for blood.
The initiative forms part of YCWM’s longstanding mission to contribute to national health efforts and encourage a culture of voluntary blood donation among the youth and wider community.
The movement has been at the forefront of this life-saving campaign for over fifteen years. Held on Sunday, the blood donation exercise brought together parishioners and health professionals at the forecourt of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra.
Medical staff from the 37 Military Hospital were on-site to assist donors and ensure the smooth running of the event, which saw enthusiastic participation from first-time and regular donors alike.
Speaking during the event, Flight Lieutenant Rashid Bashiru, a Medical Laboratory Scientist with the Blood Bank Department at the 37 Military Hospital, urged Ghanaians to embrace voluntary blood donation as a lifesaving civic duty.
“A single unit of donated blood can save up to three lives. Blood is essential to human survival, and donating even twice a year could save up to six lives annually,” he said in an interview with the media.
He emphasised the need for individuals to take personal responsibility in supporting the national blood supply encouraging citizens not to wait for special campaigns but to visit nearby hospitals and donate regularly.
The President of the Young Christian Workers Movement, Ms. Lucy Dzata, highlighted the group’s longstanding support for blood donation efforts adding that “for more than fifteen years, we have been organising these drives to help maintain adequate blood supplies in our hospitals. It is our way of giving back and ensuring that no life is lost due to the lack of blood.”
Some of the donors at the event shared personal motivations for participating, expressing their desire to contribute to saving lives and encouraging others to follow suit.
The YCWM continues to play a vital role in promoting health and community service in Ghana, and their partnership with the 37 Military Hospital underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
A landmark international study led by Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has uncovered a significant shortfall in obesity intervention research across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The study, titled “Effectiveness of Obesity Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses”, was published recently in PLOS ONE, a Q1-ranked, peer-reviewed journal of high impact.
It highlights the urgent need for context-specific public health strategies, warning that although obesity rates across Africa are rising rapidly, the continent lacks sufficient local evidence to drive effective policy and intervention.
Conducted as part of an international collaboration, the research reviewed over 419,000 academic records but identified only seven eligible studies, all originating from South Africa. This startling finding underscores the critical lack of regional data from other Sub-Saharan African countries and signals an urgent call to action for more inclusive research across the continent.
At the forefront of this pioneering effort is Dr Agyemang, whose unique dual role as legislator and academic places him in a strategic position to bridge the gap between research and policymaking in Ghana and beyond. His leadership has been instrumental in drawing national and regional attention to the growing obesity crisis.
“Sub-Saharan Africa is battling an epidemic of obesity, yet we lack the necessary evidence base to guide our policies and interventions,” Dr Agyemang remarked. “We must craft solutions that are context-specific and culturally sensitive to address this crisis head-on.”
The meta-analysis revealed that structured physical activity programmes—particularly those combining aerobic and resistance training—led to a significant reduction of approximately 34% in overweight and obesity rates.
However, these interventions had a statistically insignificant effect on waist circumference, a key marker of abdominal obesity.
Given the narrow geographical scope of the studies, Dr Agyemang issued a firm call for wider, country-specific research efforts. “Our findings offer only a limited perspective,” he cautioned. “The fact that all qualifying studies were based in one country shows the scale of the challenge.
Much of sub-Saharan Africa remains in a data vacuum when it comes to evidence-based obesity prevention.”
In addition to physical activity, the study assessed other interventions such as health education and micronutrient supplementation. However, the limited data available prevented conclusive assessments of their long-term effectiveness.
The review also revealed a widespread lack of sustainability planning across existing interventions—an area that must be urgently addressed.
Professor Peter Agyei-Baffour, Dean of the School of Public Health at KNUST, praised the study as a forward-thinking contribution with major public health implications. “With obesity posing a threat not only to health outcomes but also to economic development in SSA, we can no longer afford to rely on borrowed models,” he said. “This study is a critical step towards developing our own robust evidence base.”
The findings have begun to gain traction in both public health and policy circles, positioning Dr Agyemang as a leading voice at the intersection of science and governance. His role as MP provides a crucial platform for translating research insights into legislative action.
“This is not just about academic research,” Dr Agyemang concluded. “It is about applying knowledge to influence policy, protect communities, and create healthier futures for our people.”
The full study is available upon request and stands as a valuable resource for academics, practitioners, and policymakers working to design and implement effective obesity interventions across sub-Saharan Africa.
