News
Ghana makes progress in TB case detection, treatment
Ghana in 2024 achieved the highest Tuberculosis (TB) treatment success rate of 90.6 per cent of the 20,599 new cases detected.
The current treatment rate exceeded the national TB treatment target of 90 per cent for 2025. Similarly, deaths among patients on anti-TB treatment was 12, 200, representing 5.1 per cent of TB death rate, a reduction in the previous trend ranging from eight to 10 per cent.
Despite the success chalked in TB cases detection, 24,000 of the estimated 44, 000 cases were missed due to inadequate funding, Dr Yaw Adusi-Poku, the Programme Manager, National TB Control Programme, said at the commemoration of the 2025 World TB Day in Accra on Monday.
He said, last year, Ghana identified 900 children with tuberculosis infections in the brain, spine and other organs, out of a projected target of 16,000 children.
Dr Adusi-Poku said the country presently needed commodities for TB treatment and control for the year 2025 and 2026.
He called on stakeholders to invest more in the screening of adults and children to aid in early case detection and treatment.
More than 70 districts have no GeneXpert machines and for Paediatric TB, Dr Adusi-Poku said, adding that currently only 77 facilities had digital x-ray machines.
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, called on all to take decisive actions to end TB.
He said the government was determined to increase funding for TB control activities, essential services and medical supplies.
“The government is committed to improving access to diagnostic tools like Gen Xpert and digital Xrays to ensure that no life is lost to TB,” the Minister said.
Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director General, Ghana Health Service (GHS), said Ghana had, over the years, lacked the will and resources to screen people and provide the needed treatment.
He said the fight against TB required a strong commitment from leaders at all levels, with adequate funding for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Prof. Akoriyea said the GHS would intensify the capacity of healthcare workers to be abreast of the latest TB treatment interventions.
The World TB Day is celebrated on March 24, each year, to raise public awareness on the deadliest infectious killer and its devastating health, social and economic impact on people around the world.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) urges countries to commit by ensuring rapid implementation of its guidance and policies, strengthen national strategies and full funding.
It called on leaders to invest in TB prevention with proper financing, stating that TB prevention success depends on community leadership, civil society action, and cross-sector collaboration.
The Volta North Regional Police Command has secured a conviction of a 27 year old man Mohammed Rafiu for making unlawful entry and stealing church musical instruments at Hohoe in the Volta Region.
On June 5, 2026 the accused was observed near the Faith International Ministry Church carrying a sack containing various items rushing to hail a car.
The witnesses suspected his action and approached to check the content in the sack. The following items were found, One (1) Amplifier, One (1) equalizer, One (1) mixer and
Cross-over Machine all belonging to the church.
The accused was arrested and brought to the Hohoe Police District where he admitted to police to the charges leveled against him.
On Monday June 8, 2026 the accused was put before the Hohoe circuit cout where he pleaded guilty on two counts and was convicted and sentenced to three (3) years for unlawful entry and four (4) years of stealing.
Both sentences are to run concurrently.
The Volta North Regional Police Command has urged the general public to immediately report any suspected criminal activities to the Police for action.
News
Dome-Kwabenya MP, Ga East MCE tour flood-prone areas in the constituency, assure victims of support
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Elikplim Akurugu, together with the Municipal Chief Executive for the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, and officials of the assembly, have toured several flood-prone communities in the constituency to identify the causes of recent flooding and inspect structures obstructing waterways.
The inspection made on the Monday, 8th June, 2026 formed part of efforts to assess the extent of the flooding, identify structures built on waterways, and develop plans for their demolition to prevent future occurrences.
Some areas visited during the tour included Christian Village, Sesemi, Abokobi Station, Falaku and the Pure Water area, all of which were affected by the recent floods that hit parts of the constituency.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, the MP expressed sadness over the destruction caused by the floods, noting that although no lives were lost, many residents had suffered significant property damage.
She attributed much of the flooding to human activities such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and the construction of buildings on waterways and drainage channels.
The MP appealed to residents to change their attitudes towards sanitation and environmental management, stressing that the country did not have a deficit of prayers but rather an attitude deficit.
She assured residents that the assembly and its technical team would immediately begin work to address some of the drainage challenges identified during the tour.
Ms. Akurugu sympathised with residents whose homes and businesses were affected by the floods and assured them that efforts were being made to secure relief items to support them.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, said the inspection was intended to take stock of the causes of the recent flooding, which he described as unprecedented.
According to him, the assembly wants to be proactive by identifying and addressing the factors responsible for the flooding before the next rainy season.
Mr. Agboh blamed part of the problem on the increasing number of structures being erected on waterways and drainage paths, as well as the failure of some residents to comply with building regulations.
He disclosed that many of the structures identified during the inspection would be marked for demolition after the necessary procedures had been completed.
The MCE further announced plans to intensify inspections, particularly on weekends, explaining that some developers often undertake unauthorised construction works on Saturdays and Sundays when assembly officials are not at work.
He said the assembly would collaborate with neighbouring jurisdictions and deploy additional resources to improve drainage systems and reduce flooding in the municipality.
The MCE assured that the assembly will use the findings from the inspection to implement immediate and long-term measures aimed at reducing flooding and protecting lives and property in Dome-Kwabenya.
The Director of Works at the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Engineer Justine Glover, said the team inspected several critical locations along the Dakobi River and other flood-prone areas.
He explained that at Pantang Village, officials directed contractors to excavate and open blocked culvert outlets to allow the free flow of water during rainfall.
At Sesemi, he said the team observed extensive damage caused by upstream developments and the absence of proper drainage infrastructure.
Engineer Glover added that officials recommended dredging drainage channels at Abokobi Station to improve the performance of existing culverts.
He further revealed that some structures identified on waterways at Falaku had been earmarked for demolition as part of efforts to restore the natural flow of water.
In addition to the inspection, the MP and the MCE visited residents affected by the floods in the Pure Water area to offer words of encouragement and assure them of support.
The tour also revealed that many residents had constructed buildings on waterways, while several structures lacked the required building permits, a situation officials said had contributed significantly to the flooding experienced in the constituency.
By: Jacob Aggrey
