Health experts have urged Ghana to prior­itise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly cura­tive therapies remain out of reach.

SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.

Globally, around 1,000 ba­bies are born with the condi­tion daily, with three-quar­ters in sub-Saharan Africa.

The disease causes se­vere complications includ­ing chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.

In recent years, gene ther­apy has been developed as a potential cure.

However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.

According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complica­tions in SCD patients”.

Taken orally, the medi­cine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.

“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.

In a chat with The Specta­tor here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that de­spite its benefits, “hydroxy­urea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”

Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”

Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would pro­vide immediate relief while the country builds the infra­structure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.

With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnera­ble to preventable complica­tions and early death.”

 From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi

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Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has empha­sised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.

She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposi­tion Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.

Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festi­val of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Mad­am Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.

She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal devel­opment but also as a way of preserv­ing traditional values.

These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.

“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as plat­forms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also pro­viding opportunities for community engagement.”

Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.

“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the develop­ment of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.

Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commend­ed the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.

Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Par­amount Chief of Great Ningo Tradi­tional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welen­tsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among digni­taries at the festival. -GNA