Akandoh calls for research-driven action to tackle Ghana’s rising NCD burden

The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called for stronger links between health research and policy implementation, saying evidence generated by researchers must lead to practical solutions to Ghana’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

He said research should go beyond academic publications and provide evidence to shape policies, improve healthcare delivery and produce better health outcomes.

“Research must not end in publications; it must translate into practical interventions that improve health outcomes and strengthen our healthcare system,” he stressed.

The Minister made the call in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Chief Director, Desmond Boateng, at the opening of the 2nd National NCD Research Conference 2026 in Accra.

He noted that NCDs account for nearly half of all deaths in Ghana, with cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart disease and stroke, contributing significantly to the burden, expressing concern that these conditions were increasingly affecting people in their productive years.

Mr Boateng urged researchers to generate evidence that would help government assess the impact of its interventions, identify weaknesses in healthcare delivery and guide investments in disease prevention, early detection and treatment.

He identified the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund as complementary government interventions aimed at addressing the growing challenge of NCDs.

Also speaking at the conference, the Project Manager of the AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative, Julliette Edzeame, highlighted the importance of international partnerships in strengthening Ghana’s health system.

She particularly acknowledged Ghana’s longstanding collaboration with Germany through GIZ, which has supported efforts in health systems strengthening, healthcare financing and workforce development.

The two-day conference, organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative, is being held under the theme, “Accelerating Ghana’s NCD Research Agenda towards Attaining Primary Healthcare Goals.”

Discussions are focusing on the burden of NCDs, healthcare financing, governance and ways to integrate research into primary healthcare delivery.

The conference also provides an opportunity for selected abstract presenters to apply for competitive travel grants to present their research at an international conference outside Ghana in 2027.